Sparks City Council Meeting 12/14/2020 2:00:00 PM

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/98232307536
Meeting Dial-in #: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 98232307536

General Business: 9.11

Title: Consideration, discussion, and possible approval of an agreement (AC-5719) between the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., for rental of a pilot unit for the investigation of aerated granular sludge technology at TMWRF in the amount of $165,000 with Sparks's share being $51,760.50.
Petitioner/Presenter: John A. Martini, P.E., Assistant City Manager/Casey Mentzer, P.E., Treatment Plant Process Engineer
Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council approve the agreement between Reno, Sparks, and Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., to rent a pilot unit for the investigation of aerobic granular sludge technology at TMWRF.
Financial Impact: $51,760.50. Fund 1630 Program 21-6579, Account 603235
Total Costs: $51,760.50
Fund: Sanitary Sewer Operations Fund    Account: 603235
Program: TMWRF FY21 Reallocation - Aqua Nereda Pilot Test (21-6579)
Amount: $51,760.50    Budget Status: Budget Exists
Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
    
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.
Agenda Item Brief:

Staff is asking the City Council to approve the agreement between Reno, Sparks, and Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. (the Aqua Nereda parent company). This agreement is for the rental of a pilot unit for conducting an investigation of aerobic granular sludge technology at TMWRF. The TMWRF facility plan identified this technology as a strong candidate for use at TMWRF in the future. The pilot test will serve to validate the assumptions of the facility plan to ensure the suitability of the Aqua Nereda system for TMWRF and provide needed parameters for a full-scale design.  The total cost for the pilot unit is $165,000 with City of Sparks’s portion being $51,760.50.



Background:

TMWRF contracted Brown and Caldwell to conduct a facility plan to examine the most efficient path forward for the treatment plant as expansion occurs. With this plan nearing finalization, an alternative treatment technology known as aerated granular sludge was identified as an alternative approach. TMWRF currently utilizes technology that works well for the removal of various wastewater pollutants, but there are certain advantages to the aerated granular sludge process such as lower chemical demand, smaller footprint, and less unit operations for the same treatment. Given TMWRF’s strict discharge limits and the potential benefits from this process, a small-scale pilot test is recommended to ensure this alternative will enable TMWRF to comply with treatment requirements.



Analysis:

The proposed agreement includes a six-month rental of pilot scale equipment and limited technical support from Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., the Aqua Nereda parent company. The pilot treatment system is comprised of two aerated granular sludge reactors, pipes, valves, analyzers, and other supporting components housed in trailer units. The pilot system is scheduled for delivery mid-January, which will provide TMWRF an opportunity to research the start-up and acclimation of the biological system during the colder months, an important stress test of the technology. The six-month-long pilot duration will give insight into the seasonal impacts on treatment efficiency.

The total cost of the pilot project is $165,000.00. City of Reno engineering staff will manage the project with Sparks reimbursing Reno pro rata based on TMWRF ownership.  Based on the current ownership ratio (31.37% Sparks and 68.63% Reno), the City of Sparks's share of this agreement is $51,760.50.



Alternatives:
  1. City Council may approve the agreement as presented by staff.
  2. City Council may reject the agreement and give further direction to the City Manager.


Recommended Motion:

I move to approve the agreement (AC-5719) between the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., for rental of a pilot unit for the investigation of aerated granular sludge technology at TMWRF in the amount of $165,000 with Sparks's share being $51,760.50.



Attached Files:
     01-Reno staff report - aqua nereda pilot.pdf
     02-AquaNereda Pilot Agreement Truckee Meadows-AASI Signed.pdf
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