City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 11, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ANNUAL PURCHASE ORDERS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 FOR CHEMICAL PURCHASES FOR THE RIVERSIDE REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT AS PER SECTION 602(C) OF PURCHASING RESOLUTION NO. 24101: CITRIC ACID FROM NORTHSTAR CHEMICAL, OF SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000; FERRIC CHLORIDE FROM KEMIRA WATER SOLUTIONS, INC., OF FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,917,176; SODIUM BISULFITE FROM UNIVAR USA, INC, OF KENT, WASHINGTON, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,358,256; AND SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE FROM PIONEER AMERICAS, LLC., OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,520,419, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $6,095,851
ISSUE:
Consider approving four annual purchases orders for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 for chemical purchases for the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) as per Sections 602(c) of Purchasing Resolution No. 24101: 1) citric acid from Northstar Chemical, of Santa Fe Springs, California, in the amount of $300,000; 2) ferric chloride from Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., of Fontana, California, in the amount of $1,917,176; 3) sodium bisulfite from Univar USA, Inc., of Kent, Washington, in the amount of $1,358,256 and 4) sodium hypochlorite from Pioneer Americas, LLC., of Wilmington, Delaware, in the amount of $2,520,419, for a total amount of $6,095,851.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve an annual Purchase Order with Northstar Chemical of Santa Fe Springs, California, for citric acid in the amount $300,000; Approve an annual Purchase Order with Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., of Fontana, California, for ferric chloride in the amount of $1,917,176; Approve an annual Purchase Order with Univar USA, Inc., of Kent, Washington, for sodium bisulfite in the amount of $1,358,256; Approve an annual Purchase Order with Pioneer Americas, LLC., of Wilmington, Delaware, for sodium hypochlorite in the amount of $2,520,419; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute purchase orders, or other documents with Northstar Chemical, Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., Univar USA, Inc., and Pioneer Americas, LLC, including making minor and non-substantive changes, subject to the availability of budgeted funds.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department's Wastewater Division is responsible for collecting and treating wastewater generated within the City of Riverside and the communities of Edgemont, Highgrove, Jurupa Valley, and Rubidoux at the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). To comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, wastewater must be treated to meet all applicable regulatory water quality standards. This treatment process requires the continuous use of essential chemicals, including citric acid, sodium bisulfite, sodium hypochlorite, and ferric chloride.
DISCUSSION:
In previous years, the RWQCP procured treatment chemicals through third-party distributors; however, those suppliers experienced challenges maintaining consistent product availability during periods of market disruption. Although staff are routinely approached by vendors offering similar chemicals, many are ultimately unable to meet the City's required product specifications, delivery schedules, emergency response needs, or volume demands necessary to support continuous plant operations.
Staff conducted a market analysis comparing current pricing with other suppliers offering comparable products and determined that pricing varies based on chemical type, supplier capabilities, and market conditions. Based on this evaluation, RWQCP continues to utilize Kemira (Ferric Chloride), Northstar (Citric Acid), Pioneer (Sodium Hypochlorite), and Univar Solutions (Sodium Bisulfite) because each vendor provides the product quality, manufacturing capacity, local distribution, technical expertise, and supply reliability necessary to support uninterrupted wastewater treatment operations and maintain regulatory compliance. These chemicals are essential for hydrogen sulfide control, membrane bioreactor cleaning, wastewater disinfection, and effluent dechlorination, all of which are required to comply with NPDES, Title 22, and South Coast AQMD permit requirements.
Purchasing Overview
Chemical purchases can be made pursuant to Purchasing Resolution No. 24101 Sections 404, which authorizes the procurement of chemicals through informal or negotiated procurement methods when determined to be in the best interest of the City. However, given the level of difficulties the RWQCP has had with obtaining quality chemicals from third-party distributers that comply with EPA and NPDES regulations and could meet the chemical demands of the wastewater treatment plant, the RWQCP has determined that it is imperative to sole source directly with each manufacturer for the type of chemicals needed to meet the chemical requirements and to maintain operational efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant.
Staff will continue to monitor chemical purchases throughout the upcoming fiscal year and make adjustment as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and reliability.
A summary of the chemicals being purchased at the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) in FY 2026/27 is provided in Table 1 below.
Table 1 – Chemical Purchases
Vendor
Chemical
Cost
Northstar Chemical
Citric Acid
$ 300,000
Kemira Water Solutions, Inc.
Ferric Chloride
$1,917,176
Univar USA, Inc.
Sodium Bisulfite
$1,358,256
Pioneer Americas LLC
Sodium Hypochlorite
$2,520,419
Total: $6,095,851
This action is pursuant to Purchasing Resolution No. 24101 Section 602, “Exceptions. Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances…(c) When the Procurement can only be obtained from a sole source and the Manager is satisfied that the best price, terms and conditions have been negotiated.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended actions are compliant with Resolution No. 24101.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the action is $6,095,851. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the Sewer Fund, Sewer System Treatment, Chemical Supplies account number 4125200-426600.
Prepared by: Valerie Espinoza, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved by: Nathan Mustafa, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachment: Presentation
Annual Purchase Order for Chemicals at WQCP (FY 26/27) ● Page 2