Title
Resolution to Accept Grant Award from the Michigan Office of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) ($491,122.00) for the PFAS Treatment Drain Upgrade Project, to Approve a Related Grant Agreement, and to Appropriate $291,000.00 from the Water Supply System Fund Balance (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor has been monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in various stages of their treatment process since it was detected in their source water in 2016. Since this discovery, the 26 filters at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) have been replaced with granular activated carbon (GAC), but studies have shown that bed depth and filtration rate should be varied to achieve an empty bed contact time of greater than 5 minutes for optimal PFAS removal. Due to filter design, this cannot be achieved in 16 of the 26 filters without operating at 50% of the WTP’s capacity.
This project is to replace the filter underdrains and associated filter box modifications in two of the 16 filters with lower-profile underdrains similar to the remaining 10 filters, allowing clearance for at least six additional inches of GAC in each filter to improve PFAS removal efficiency.
Budge/Fiscal Impact: Funding of $1,000,000.00 for this project is included in the approved FY2024 Water Supply System Capital Budget. The current total project cost is estimated at $1,291,000.00. Funding for the additional $291,000.00 is available in unobligated Water Supply System Fund Balance.
Staff
Prepared by: Brian Steglitz, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to providing exceptional water quality;
Whereas, The City, in collaboration with partial funding from the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will replace two filter underdrains and associated work at the water treatment plant to improve PFAS removal efficiency;
Whereas, Total costs to replace two filter underdrains and associated work are estimated at $1,291,000.00; and
Whereas, The EGLE granted the City $491,122.00 to support the replacement of two filter underdrains and associated work;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $491,122.00 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the related Grant Agreement for the replacement of two filter underdrains and associated work;
RESOLVED, That $291,000.00 be appropriated from the unobligated Water System Supply Fund Balance to the PFAS Treatment Drain Upgrade Project, thereby increasing the project revenue and expenditure budgets;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Administrator to execute all documents necessary to complete the Grant requirements, including but not limited to the Grant Agreement, after approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That all amounts herein are without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary actions to implement this resolution.