Body
Department of Utilities
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS WATER ACTIVITY ENTERPRISE, AUTHORIZING CITY OF BRIGHTON STAFF TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM COLORADO’S WATER PLAN GRANT FUND FOR NO-DES SYSTEM AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE STATEMENT REGARDING AVAILABLE FUNDING IN THE APPLICATION.
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Philip Rodriguez, City Manager
Prepared By: Curtis Bauers, Director of Utilities
Date Prepared: September 13, 2016
PURPOSE
To consider a resolution authorizing City of Brighton Staff to submit an application for funding of the NO-DES water flushing system through Colorado’s Water Plan Grant Fund with the understanding that any funds supplied through a grant will not fully cover the cost of any project, therefore requiring further financial contribution from the City.
BACKGROUND
In 2015, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) completed Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP), a statewide master plan for the Colorado’s water resources, which included a set of critical strategies for municipalities to implement to reach the goals outlined in the CWP.
In order to work towards these goals, the CWCB has allocated funds to the Colorado’s Water Plan Grant Fund, which will disperse these funds to projects that demonstrate the potential to move forward the efficiency and sustainability of Colorado’s water infrastructure. The City of Brighton has many projects whose goals overlap with the goals of the CWCB and therefore the City has a reasonable chance of being awarded one of these grants, thereby partially funding projects that will move forward the City’s water infrastructure needs in accordance with the City’s own goals as well as the State’s.
In particular, the City is interested in applying for a grant to purchase a Neutral Output Discharge Elimination System (NO-DES) for distribution system water flushing. The NO-DES water flushing system is basically a water filter with a pump that can be attached to two hydrants to create a loop and flush the water mains with minimal water wasted as a result.
Water flushing is a common component of distribution system maintenance. Water mains can accumulate sediment and other solids, which flushing clears out. Also, water can get old and stale if left in the pipes without much movement for too long, which can also be solved by flushing the water mains.
In the City’s current maintenance regime, and that of water providers throughout the state, maintenance workers will open a hydrant and let water flow down the street. While this is a necessary loss, it still costs the City money to lose this water and can be a significant public relations issue. Citizens who are encouraged to conserve water watch the City’s employees send thousands of gallons down into the storm sewer.
Owning a NO-DES would allow the City to save money by recycling the flushed water back into the system and would provide additional public relations benefits. Such a system would also be in-line with CWCB’s goals of water conservation, which may lead the CWCB to award the City a grant towards the purchase of a NO-DES system
FINANCIAL IMPACT
In the event that the City would be awarded a grant from CWCB towards the purchase of a NO-DES system, it is important to note that the grant would not cover the full cost of the NO-DES system.
Currently, the estimated cost for a NO-DES truck suited to our needs is around five hundred thousand dollars (~$500,000). A successful grant from CWCB could cover up to 50% of this cost but could be lower based on the decision from CWCB. Therefore, although the CWCB grant could be substantial, the City would still need to provide a substantial contribution itself. If the City is awarded the grant, Staff will bring the Grant Agreement, together with any financial obligations of the City associated with the grant, to the City Council for review, comment, and approval.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
In order to pay for the purchase of a new NO-DES system to conserve water and save on associated costs of water flushing, staff recommends approval of a resolution authorizing staff to submit an application for grant funding. If awarded, the required matching cost will be evaluated in conjunction with firm equipment costs to determine whether it is appropriate to authorize the expenditure and accept the grant contribution.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Approve the resolution as presented
• Reject the resolution as presented
• Postpone consideration of the resolution as presented with direction to staff to make modification or clarification to the resolution
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution
• NO-DES System Summary Info