Title
Requisition No.: REQ-0005921
Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Improvements to The Sludge Feed System for Solids Processing
CIP # 213006 /BCE Score: 76.60
Body
Agenda of: March 11, 2026
Item No.: 2026-084
Amount: $26,852,686.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: February 27, 2026
RE: Requisition No. REQ-0005921
Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Improvements to The Sludge Feed System for Solids Processing
Vendor: LGC Global, LLC.
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-0005921, “Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Improvements to The Sludge Feed System for Solids Processing” with LGC Global, LLC., at a cost not to exceed $26,852,686.00 for a duration of 1,095 days; and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
The WRRF generates sludge as a byproduct of wastewater treatment. The facility leverages several sludge storage tanks (SSTs) that allow distribution based on solids processing capacity between the Biosolids Dryer Facility (BDF) and Incineration. The piping and pumping systems that feed the dewatering complexes and the BDF from the SSTs are approximately 40 years old and unable to meet the operational demand of the WRRF solids system. The pumps and piping in many cases of operations are too large, causing GLWA Operations to try and restrict the flow to avoid over feeding the BDF or Dewatering Facilities. This mechanical restriction is causing excessive wear on system piping, system valves and the pumps, resulting in frequent failures and constant maintenance of the system to keep it up and running. This system is the only system that allows GLWA to process all solids received at the WRRF, and failure of this system jeopardizes GLWA’s ability to meet our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. The current configuration also has several single points of failures that limit operational flexibility.
JUSTIFICATION
To ensure the long-term viability of this system, and compliance with our NPDES permit, installation of the redesigned sludge feed system is necessary to meet the current operational demand of the WRRF. This will result in an arrangement of pumps of varying types and sizes to ensure that the WRRF’s demand for sludge pumping can be met through all flows to the WRRF. Interconnecting piping will be provided between the pumps and the dewatering facilities to allow for operational flexibility. It will also result in the establishment of a proper loop and smaller sludge feed piping to ensure the system is right-sized to meet the demands of the Complex I and II Dewatering and BDF and of proper design to avoid unnecessary wear on the system to avoid premature failures. This project has been approved for the 2026 State Revolving Fund.
FINANCIAL PLAN IMPACT
Summary: Sufficient funds are provided in the financial plan for this project.
Funding Source: 5421 - Sewage Disposal Construction Fund
Cost Center: 880000 - Capital Improvement Fund
Expense Type: 616900 - Construction
Project: PRJ-213006
Estimated Cost by Year and Related Estimating Variance: See table below.
Fiscal Year
FY 2027 Plan $2,361,000.00
FY 2028 Plan 8,483,000.00
FY 2029 Plan 5,156,000.00
Financial Plan Estimate $16,000,000.00
Proposed Contract Award $26,852,686.00
Estimate Variance ($10,852,686.00)
The award of this Contract to the vendor creates a negative estimating variance of $10,852,686.00. This variance will be funded from capital reserves.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This item was presented to the Operations and Resources Committee at its meeting on March 11, 2026.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.