Item Number: 28
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: August 18, 2026
Submitted By:
Doug Mathews, Director of Public Works and Water
Subject:
Purchase of Stationary Emergency Generator for the Amethyst Booster Pump Station Recommendation:
That the Honorable Board of Directors authorize the purchase of one (1) Caterpillar stationary emergency generator from Quinn Power Systems in the amount of $930,271.30, utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract provisions.
Fiscal Impact:
This project was originally appropriated in Fiscal Year 2024/2025 and funds remain available within the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 annual capital budget under the Water Fund (Fund 410) in account Water – Supply – Stationary Generator at Amethyst Booster Station (4100500-55040-74540) with an available balance of $952,500.
Acting in accordance with the staff recommendation will result in a fiscal impact of $930,271.30. This price includes freight, sales tax and factory start-up service. The Sourcewell discount will result in total savings of $201,644 between the equipment savings and service savings. The sales tax was not included in the quote but has been calculated at the 8.75% rate as the equipment will be delivered to the Amethyst Booster Station.
There are sufficient funds available to cover this purchase, and no additional appropriation is needed.
Strategic Plan Goal:
This purchase will align with Strategic Goal E – Invest in Infrastructure: Ensuring the community’s wellbeing and sustaining a healthy, livable community by investing in the necessary resources to maintain and improve the Victorville Water District’s (District) water infrastructure. Approval of this purchase strengthens the District’s ability to operate critical facilities during unplanned power outages or power grid issues, maintain 4 8
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continuous potable water service, and support fire suppression capabilities across multiple pressure zones.
Background:
The Victorville Water District relies on 34 active groundwater wells and four booster pump stations to provide potable water service to residents, schools, hospitals, businesses, and critical infrastructure. These facilities operate entirely on commercial electrical power supplied by Southern California Edison (Edison) and are vulnerable to outages caused by earthquakes, severe weather, Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) events, cyber-related grid failures, or other disruptions.
While the District maintains sufficient treated water storage for short-term interruptions, extended outages can halt groundwater production, reduce system pressures, limit water distribution, jeopardize potable water supply, and significantly impair fire flow capabilities.
Permanent stationary generators are already installed at a limited number of critical facilities; however, equipping every site with a permanent generator is not financially or operationally practical.
The Amethyst Booster Pump Station, containing Well 129, three booster pumps, blending infrastructure, and key distribution system valving, is one of the most operationally complex and strategically important sites in the District. Both the 2021 Water Master Plan and the 2026 Water Master Plan identify Amethyst as a priority location for permanent backup power due to its central role in pressure regulation, blending operations, and maintaining distribution reliability across multiple pressure zones.
Discussion:
Given Amethyst’s critical function in the overall water system, uninterrupted operation during prolonged electrical outages is essential. This facility’s ability to move water strategically between pressure zones, maintain system pressure, and support water quality management makes it uniquely sensitive to power disruptions. Portable generators, while valuable for short-term or rotational support, cannot provide the reliable, continuous, dedicated power needed to sustain Amethyst’s full operational capacity during extended emergency conditions.
A permanent stationary generator at Amethyst ensures dependable standby power without requiring equipment rotation, logistical deployment, or staff redeployment. This dedicated backup power solution supports sustained groundwater production, booster operation, blending processes and pressure management, ultimately protecting water service continuity and fire flow availability throughout the distribution system. District staff have been in communication with the Fleet Division and the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) to ensure compliance with CARB and state requirements. MDAQMD recently advised that the guidelines for permanent generators would be changing and advised starting the procurement and permitting process would be beneficial.
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In review of procurement options, it was determined the best course of procurement was to utilize a Sourcewell Contract pursuant to VMC 2.28.120(a). Quinn Power Systems’ proposed Caterpillar Model C32 GC (D1250 GC), diesel generator meets District requirements for reliability, seismic certification, standby power capacity, and fleet/equipment standardization. Its configuration, including a UL-142 2,100-gallon sub-base fuel tank, passive DPF system, and a 1250 kW resistive load bank, supports long-term emergency operation and regulatory compliance. Quinn is the authorized regional Caterpillar distributor and provides factory-certified warranty support, parts availability, and technical service.
Purchasing through Sourcewell Contract No. 092222-CAT satisfies the District’s procurement requirements, as stipulated in VMC 2.28.120(a), ensures competitively solicited pricing, and yields substantial savings. The addition of permanent standby power at the Amethyst Booster Station is consistent with the District’s system resiliency goals, improves emergency preparedness, protects public health and safety, and ensures reliable water service during extended grid outages.
Staff are available for any questions you may have.
Prepared By:
Marc Betts, SCADA/Elec/OT Superintendent
Melissa Krejckant, Public Works & Water Administrative Manager Attachments: A. Sourcewell Contract Documentation
B. Generator Specification & Quote