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 treat the raw sewage properly. This process consists of providing the appropriate habitat to allow microorganisms to consume the biodegradable organics 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. Staff 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 activated sludge system evaluation, and in concurrence with TMWRF staff review and input, key improvements in the system were identified as being needed to maintain system reliability and redundancy. The highest priority RAS System improvements were previously addressed in an earlier phase of work associated with RAS System 1. The current design scope addresses the final phase of improvements associated with RAS System 2.  This scope of work will provide final design for pumping, piping, and control improvements in TMWRF’s System 2 Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) management system. 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. 

The City of Reno will administer the contract and will be reimbursed by the City of Sparks for a portion of the costs through the Sparks-Reno cost-sharing agreement for TMWRF. The City of Reno and the City of Sparks share the cost for this project pro rata based upon their ownership of TMWRF, which is 68.63% for Reno and 31.37% for Sparks. Based on the ownership percentages, Reno’s share of this agreement is not to exceed $415,874.47, and Sparks' share is not to exceed $190,191.53.

1. City Council could approve the agreement as outlined by Staff.
2. City Council could reject the agreement and provide direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve reimbursement to the City of Reno in the amount not to exceed $190,091.53 for Sparks’ share of a consultant agreement between the City of Reno, the City of Sparks and HDR Engineering for the design of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility RAS-WAS System 2 Pumping Improvement Project.