Background/Purpose of Request:
The FY18 CIP contains funds for design of an expansion to the Northwest Water Treatment Plant that would increase capacity from 24 mgd to 36 mgd in order to meet future water system demands. The raw water source for this facility is the Cape Fear River which has recently been shown to contain a number of contaminants (GENX, Dioxane, other PFAs) that are difficult to remove by existing treatment technologies. A Request for Proposals has been advertised that seeks proposals from qualified water resource engineering firms to provide assistance in determining the appropriate level of treatment and associated treatment technologies to affect the removal and/or reduction of contaminants to safe levels. This assessment will provide data and recommendations specific to Brunswick County’s existing Northwest Water Treatment Plant and will consider all emerging contaminants in addition to those that have had recent media attention.
The study will work in conjunction with the ongoing work efforts headed up by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) in accordance with House Bill 56. This bill approved GENX response measures that include an identification and quantitative study of chemicals in the Cape Fear River watershed to be performed by UNC-Wilmington. It also includes studies by CFPUA for the identification and deployment of water treatment technologies to remove GENX as well as funds for the continued monitoring of GENX levels in the Cape Fear River.
A copy of the Request for Proposals is attached that requires submittal of proposals by January 5, 2018. Once a firm has been selected, a final scope and fee will be negotiated for approval by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Recommendations of the study will be provided in early 2018 and shall be used to help Brunswick County determine treatment goals and treatment options with associated costs so that the appropriate treatment technologies can be implemented with the expansion of the Brunswick County Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
The draft study with options and cost estimates will be presented to the Board of Commissioners by March 19, 2018 with a final report on April 16th. The plan proposed is to include the option selected in the FY 19 Capital Improvement Plan for design followed by construction to commence in FY 20. |