Charlotte County Utilities

East & West Spring Lake Wastewater Pilot Study

During a meeting held by the Board of County Commissioners on October 12, 2010, the Board voted to authorize County Staff to proceed with an East & West Spring Lake Wastewater Pilot Study. This Pilot Study will be funded by the County.

The purpose of the Pilot Study is to further explore the alternative central sewer alternatives and on-site wastewater treatment alternatives in more detail, with respect to the requirements of Senate Bill 550 and Senate Bill 2-A which takes affect July 1, 2011. One of the specific goals is to obtain actual contractor bid prices for the various alternative systems to refine costs as part of the comparison process. These actual contractor bid prices will then be utilized for documentation in requesting outside funding sources, namely grants, for the Pilot Study to assist in reducing the direct assessment costs to the property owners. It is anticipated that the previous $13,689 assessment cost to the residents will be reduced at the end of this process. This procedure is intended to address the question asked by the property owners regarding accuracy of the cost.

Further, as part of this Pilot Study, the lift stations and other equipment needed for each alternative will also be evaluated in detail. The costs of operation and maintenance of lift stations, vacuum stations, piping and other wastewater system components will be analyzed on the basis of existing known costs as well as industry standards and included in the comparison of all the alternatives.

This Pilot Study includes a very important public outreach program, the specifics of which have yet to be determined. The main purpose of the public outreach program will be to include the public early on and throughout the evaluation process.

Since the Pilot Study is just beginning, it will take some time for the process to establish itself. Once established, however, the information compiled throughout this evaluation process will be transparent to the public through the public outreach program, for everyone’s review and comments.

This initiative is being taken due to the passing of Senate Bill 550 and Senate Bill 2-A by State Legislation which takes effect July 1, 2011.

March 1, 2011 – Update

A Request for Proposals titled RFP #2011000123 – East & West Spring Lake Wastewater Pilot Study was advertised on January 20, 2011. This RFP was developed to acquire the services of a qualified firm to assist the County in evaluating wastewater service options such as, but not limited to, obtaining firm contractor costs, detailing operational and maintenance impacts, exploring funding opportunities, and specifying a comprehensive public outreach process for the Pilot Study and to determine the best solution to solving the wastewater issues in this neighborhood (see map of area). Submittals were also required to outline various funding programs that could be explored as well as the inclusion of green technology.

A pre-submittal conference was held on February 3, 2011, and the proposals were due no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 17, 2011. A pre-submittal conference was held with interested firms to ensure that all prospective proposers had sufficient information and understanding of the County’s needs and the purpose of the project.

It is the County’s intention to select a firm who clearly demonstrates the highest level of ability and proven reliability to perform the professional services specified in the Scope of Services. The County anticipates entering into a contract with one firm who submits a proposal that is judged to be the most advantageous to the County. It is anticipated that the services under this contract will be provided at a minimum of six-months and shall be coordinated with the MSBU process.

A portion of this area is presently serviced by central sewer, either gravity or low pressure sewer. The remaining area is utilizing on-site wastewater treatment systems for their wastewater treatment process. A considerable number of these on-site wastewater treatment systems pre-date 1983.

Two submittals were received, and on March 1, 2011, the Selection Committee met to review and rank the submittals from Banks Engineering and Weiler Engineering. Both firms proposed using multiple subcontractors to assist with the efforts required. At the conclusion of the review and ranking, Banks Engineering was rated as the #1 choice and Weiler Engineering as the #2 choice. The Selection Committee’s recommendation will go before the Board of County Commissioners on March 22, 2011, seeking approval.

If the Board of County Commissioner’s approve the selection, a Scope of Services and contract will be prepared.

April 1, 2011 – Update

On March 22, 2011, the Selection Committee presented to the Board of County Commissioners their ranking of the two engineering firms submitting proposals for the East & West Spring Lake project. By a 3 to 2 vote, the Board voted to direct that both firms make a presentation to them at a future Commission meeting before a final selection is made. The presentation is scheduled to be made during a regular meeting of the Commission on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

Comments & Questions - Email: judy.hunter@charlottefl.com