Item Number: 22
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: December 17, 2024
Submitted By:
Fredy Bonilla, City Engineer
Subject:
Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc. for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant
Recommendation:
That the Honorable Victorville Water District Board of Directors approve the Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $499,272 for NPDES permit preparation for the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant’s excess recycled water discharge.
Fiscal Impact:
This action will result in a fiscal impact of $499,272. An additional appropriation is not required. This project will be funded entirely from the Wastewater Treatment Fund (Fund No. 412). There are sufficient funds in the account shown below to cover the planned expenses.
Budget Account Number: Available Funds:
4120710-52300 $2,920,679.16
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with “Goal E Invest in Infrastructure” in the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026. The NPDES Permit will provide Victorville Water District (the District) with an alternative option for discharging excess reclaimed water to the Mojave River, up to the approved volume specified in the permit, at no cost. This supports a key objective of the Citywide Recycled Water Master Plan which is currently underway.
Background:
The District’s Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWWTP) was built in 2010 at the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) to accommodate the growing commercial 3 9
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development in Southern California’s High Desert Region. Currently, the plant treats approximately 1.9 million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater and operates at 80% capacity.
The District is currently in the process of developing a Citywide Recycled Water Master Plan to optimize and expand recycled water use throughout the City, evaluate available disposal options, and attract new customers. The District’s largest customer, High Desert Power Plant (HDPP), uses around 0.6 to 0.8 MGD of recycled water for its cooling towers.
The plant shuts down for maintenance twice a year, for about three (3) to four (4) weeks in April or May and again for a few weeks in the fall. The District’s typical recycled water use for irrigation is relatively low, at around 30,000 gallons per day (GPD). The designated disposal site, Percolation Pond 14, can handle a portion of the excess flow, but the percolation process is slow, which significantly reduces its hydraulic capacity.
Due to the lack of alternative uses or disposal options, the excess recycled water is currently being discharged to Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority’s (VVWRA) Wastewater Treatment Plant via the District’s sewer collection system for further treatment. Although the water is already tertiary treated, this process increases the quality of the effluent before being discharged into the receiving environment. To reduce the volume of recycled water being discharged to VVWRA and unnecessary treatment costs, staff is recommending pursuing an NPDES permit for discharging excess recycled water directly to the Mojave River.
Discussion:
A Request for Proposal (RFP) for “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Preparation for Excess Recycled Water Discharge” was advertised in the San Bernardino Sun on September 6, 2024, in the Daily Press on September 11, 2024, and posted on the City of Victorville website on September 5, 2024.
On October 8, 2024, two proposals were received from the following qualified engineering consulting firms:
1) Larry Walker Associates - Davis, CA
2) Woodard and Curran - Sacramento, CA
The two engineering consulting firms listed above have performed well for the City through other consultant/professional services contracts. Larry Walker Associates was ranked the highest of the two proposals based on professional qualifications related to the required scope of work. The selection committee consisted of members of Engineering and Water Staff.
Staff followed the formal RFP solicitation process for the award of a consultant/professional services contract based on competence in accordance with Victorville Municipal Code Section 2.28.280.
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The Consultant will be responsible for identifying and acquiring all necessary permits for discharging excess recycled water to the Mojave River, including the NPDES permit and any other environmental permits. This may include obtaining a Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), if deemed necessary, and any other relevant permits. The Consultant will prepare all required permit applications and special studies for the District’s review and signature and will coordinate the application process for all necessary permits, agreements, and approvals from all state and federal regulatory agencies.
Additionally, the Consultant will prepare entry permits and any other required permissions from landowners for conducting research, such as surveying and geotechnical investigations. Environmental clearance requirements will be determined in consultation with the relevant resource agencies. The District will directly cover all permit fees payable to the permitting agencies.
Staff recommends that the Victorville Water District Board approve the Consultant/Professional Services Provide Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $499,272.
Staff remains available to answer any questions the Board may have.
Attachments: A. Agreement