One of the key treatment processes at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) consists of providing the correct balance of raw sewage (nutrients), air and microorganisms in a mixed-liquor aeration basin to properly treat the raw sewage.  This process consists of providing the appropriate habitat to allow microorganisms to consume the biodegradable organic matter in the raw sewage and then provide a means for settling out the microorganisms, and returning a portion of the microorganisms to the front of the process and dispose of the remaining.  During the process the microorganisms quickly grow in mass and need to be removed from the process on a consistent basis to maintain a balance between the food source (sewage inflow), air and microorganism mass.  Operation of this process requires the ability to monitor and control the flows of sewage, activated sludge (microorganisms) and air into three different parallel treatment trains.    Therefore, TMWRF must monitor and control the flow of sewage, activated sludge (microorganisms) and air into each of the treatment trains.  The activated sludge system at TMWRF is segregated into three separate systems for redundancy.

HDR was previously contracted to evaluate the existing activated sludge system, provide system capacity calculations, and provide recommendations for improvements that results in a fully redundant and reliable system. 

Based on the evaluation of the system by the consulting engineer, TMWRF staff and City of Reno engineering staff, key improvements in the system were identified as being needed to maintain system reliability and redundancy.  The current design scope for System 1 will address the highest priority improvements with future project phases planned to address remaining improvement recommendations.  This scope of work will provide final design for pumping, piping, and control improvements in TMWRF’s System 1 Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) management system.  Future phases of this project would include similar improvements to TMWRF’s System 2.  The scope of work tasks, as detailed in the attached agreement, include development of construction plans, specifications and bid documents, opinion of probable construction costs, and bidding support services.  HDR Engineering, Inc. was selected from the City’s approved list of engineering consultants.

The City of Reno will administer the contract and will be reimbursed for a portion of the costs by the City of Sparks through the Sparks – Reno cost sharing agreement for TMWRF.  The City of Reno and the City of Sparks share the cost for this project based upon their ownership of TMWRF, which is 68.63% for Reno and 31.37% for Sparks. Based on these ownership percentages, Reno’s share is up to $342,746.46 and Sparks share is up to $156,665.54.

Council could direct the manager to have staff provide other alternatives.

I move to approve the reimbursement to the City of Reno in the amount of $156,665.54 for the contract with HDR Engineering.