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BACKGROUND <br /> The City has historically experienced water quality issues associated with nitrification <br /> during the summer and fall months within the potable water in the lower zone of the <br /> water distribution system. After an intensive sampling program in 2019, it was found that <br /> the cause of nitrification was the reduction of chloramines (used to disinfect the water) <br /> to unacceptable levels. Chloramines are introduced by Zone 7 at its Del Valle water <br /> treatment plant and its groundwater production wells, as well as at City-owned <br /> groundwater production wells. However, if water is stored in the distribution system for a <br /> long period, the chloramines slowly degrade. The installation of a residual control <br /> system (RCS) at the Sycamore and Foothill tank reservoirs was recommended by the <br /> project's design consultant, Carollo Engineers, as the mechanism to introduce <br /> additional chloramines to reduce nitrification. <br /> The Sycamore and Foothill Reservoir Residual Control System Project consisted of the <br /> procurement and installation of a pre-manufactured RCS from UGSI Solutions <br /> Company, electrical system modification/installation, installation of fencing and general <br /> site improvements, and installation of piping at the Sycamore and Foothill tanks <br /> reservoir sites. <br /> On February 16, 2021 , City Council awarded the contract to the lowest responsible <br /> bidder, Cazadoro Construction, Inc., in the amount of $1,471 ,000, and authorized the <br /> Director of Engineering to approve change orders up to the project contingency amount <br /> of $215,869. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> The Sycamore and Foothill Reservoir Residual Control System Project has reduced the <br /> nitrification in the system and increased the overall water quality in the lower zone of the <br /> City's water distribution system. The project has also improved the operational flexibility <br /> and reliability of the water system. <br /> The RCS helps generate chloramines that disinfect the water stored in the reservoirs at <br /> the Foothill and Sycamore tanks and the water that is conveyed through the distribution <br /> system by injecting sodium hypochlorite and liquid ammonium sulfate to promote the <br /> formation of chloramines. The system manufactures sodium hypochlorite on-site by <br /> using salt, water, and a DC current, requiring only the salt to be replenished by the <br /> operators. Liquid ammonium sulfate is delivered monthly and stored within the trailers; <br /> the water conditioning tanks are changed out every two weeks during peak operations. <br /> Proprietary "control logic" self-monitors the system and automatically doses the water to <br /> ensure the proper level of chloramines. Both the advanced design and simplicity of the <br /> system allow for ease of operation and maintenance. <br /> Mechanical mixers were installed within the tanks that will help with water quality by <br /> reducing the stratification of water within the tanks while efficiently mixing the added <br /> chemicals. The equipment was connected to the Supervisory Control and Data <br /> Acquisition (SCADA) system under the City's existing on-call contract for SCADA <br /> integration. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />