Title
Requisition No. REQ-0002030
Removal of Lime Stabilized Dewatered Sludge
O&M
Body
Agenda of: February 26, 2025
Item No.: 2025-039
Amount: $11,848,640.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: January 27, 2025
RE: Requisition No. REQ-0002030
Removal of Lime Stabilized Dewatered Sludge
Vendor: Waste Management of Michigan
Status: New Contract/PO
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Navid Mehram, Chief Operating Officer - Wastewater Operating Services, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), authorizes the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to enter into Requisition No. REQ-0002030, “Removal of Lime Stabilized Dewatered Sludge” with Waste Management of Michigan, at a cost not to exceed $11,848,640.00 for a duration of 1,886 days; and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
The GLWA Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), generates a by-product (sewage sludge) through treatment of domestic wastewater. Sewage sludge includes scum or solids removed in primary and secondary treatment processes. The WRRF generates, on average, 1,440 wet tons per day of solids. Operations utilize three (3) methods of processing to adequately dispose of the generated solids. The processes include (from most favorable to least favorable): the Biosolids Dryer Facility (BDF) that produces class-A biosolids which is then land applied as fertilizer; multiple hearth incineration which converts the sludge into an ash product which is landfilled; and Central Offload Facility (COF) which processes dewatered sludge with the addition of lime for stabilization prior to landfill disposal. The lime stabilized dewatered sludge is a solid residual similar to slightly wet dirt. The GLWA continues to work with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, Energy and the Operations Team on minimizing the use of the COF and the transition of the operating status of the facility from active to long-term standby. However, as part of our commitment to readiness of the facility, it is important to have the appropriate services in place to minimize the impact and maintain operational continuity.
JUSTIFICATION
In the event of a catastrophic failure of the BDF and/or incinerators, GLWA will be required to recommission the COF facility to its full capacity. At full capacity, the COF can produce nearly one thousand two hundred (1,200) wet tons per day of lime stabilized dewatered sludge. Waste Management (WM) owns and operates most of the landfills in this region. Additionally, WM is the only provider who can comply with the 1,200 wet tons per day guaranteed capacity. Therefore, this is a Specialized Procurement for WM in order to maintain reliability necessary for landfill disposal and maintain compliance with the facilities’ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
FINANCIAL PLAN IMPACT
Summary: The forecast for the disposal of material from the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) is an on-going component of the wastewater financial plan. The maximum value of the contract exceeds the current financial plan for this service. With this contract specified as a contingency, on an as- needed basis, it is budgeted accordingly. Should this contingency contract be exercised, a budget amendment may be needed. First, offsetting other costs that may be reduced, then from other areas, and finally from the unallocated reserve.
Funding Source: Operations and Maintenance Budget (5960)
Cost Center: Biosolids Dryer Facility, Central Offloading Facility & Hauling (Cost Center 892227)
Expense Type: Contractual Operating Services (611200)
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This item was presented to the Operations and Resources Committee at its meeting on February 12, 2025. The Operations and Resources Committee unanimously recommended that the GLWA Board adopt the resolution as presented.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.