Title
Resolution to Approve a Sole-Source Purchase Order with D3W Industries, Inc. for Odor Control Chemicals at the Water Resource Recovery Facility ($308,026.00 Annually, Estimated)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to authorize the sole-source purchase of odor control chemicals from D3W Industries, Inc. (D3W) for the City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) for a three-year period at an estimated annual cost of $308,026.25.
The WRRF centrifuges liquid biosolids to reduce the moisture content and produce a cake that is disposed of in a landfill. The cake product has a strong sewage odor and has caused issues with landfill acceptance and odor complaints from neighboring properties in the past. The removal of biosolids is vital to the WRRF’s compliance with its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Before the D3W chemicals, the WRRF added lime dust to the centrifuged cake to reduce odors to a level that made it acceptable to the landfill. However, during truck loading activities, the lime dust released significant amounts of ammonia that caused strong odors at the WRRF and migrated to areas surrounding the plant. As a result, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) received odor complaints and informed the City that it was not in compliance with the terms of its air quality permit. Through various field tests, WRRF staff determined that the chemicals supplied by D3W called Planet Breeze and D3W Enhanced Neutralizer are most effective for reducing odor complaints both locally and at the landfill. The WRRF has been utilizing these chemicals since 2015.
Planet Breeze is a proprietary US EPA registered product that works to inhibit the activity of odor producing bacteria in the material. The D3W Enhanced Neutralizer is a Planet Breeze based product with the addition of a cover scent. At the WRRF, the Planet breeze is added to liquid material prior to centrifuging and absorbed into the solid material to reduce odor production. D3W Enhance Neutralizer is topically added during truck loading to help reduce the bacterial activity and mask odors locally while the material is being transported and at the landfill.
D3W has offered Planet Breeze at the following range of $66.50 to a maximum of $70.25 per gallon and D3W Enhanced Neutralizer at a unit price range of $37.00 to a maximum of $39.75 per gallon for FY26, FY27 and FY28. WRRF staff estimates annual usage of Planet Breeze at 3,575 gallons and D3W Enhanced Neutralizer at 1,430 gallons. The annual cost is estimated to be $308,026.25
D3W is the sole manufacturer and distributer of the EPA approved Planet Breeze and D3W Enhanced Neutralizing Balance.
It is recommended that City Council approve the purchase of odor control chemicals from D3W for the reduction of cake odors.
D3W complies with the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinance.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funds to finance this purchase are included in the approved FY26 WWTP Operation and Maintenance budget for the Sewage Disposal System. Purchases during FY27 and FY28 are subject to the availability of funds.
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas Jaworski, Assistant Manager, WRRF
Reviewed by: Keith Sanders, Manager, WRRF
Reviewed by: Jordan Roberts, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) centrifuges liquid biosolids to reduce the moisture content and produce a cake that is disposed of in a landfill;
Whereas, The removal of Biosolids is vital to the WRRF’s compliance with its NPDES permit;
Whereas, WWTP staff field tested several odor control chemicals as an alternative to lime dust for centrifuged cake and found Planet Breeze and D3W Enhanced Neutralizer from D3W Industries, Inc. (D3W) to be the most effective option for mitigating odors both locally and at the landfill;
Whereas, The WRRF has used Planet Breeze and D3W Enhance Neutralizer successfully during the past several years;
Whereas, D3W is the sole manufacturer and distributor of Planet Breeze and D3W Enhance Neutralizer;
Whereas, D3W complies with the Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinance; and
Whereas, Sufficient funds for this purchase have been budgeted in the approved FY26 WWTP Operation and Maintenance Budget for the Sewage Disposal System, and purchases during FY27 and FY28 will be subject to the availability of funds;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the sole-source purchase of Planet Breeze and Planet Breeze Enhanced Neutralizer from D3W at the maximum unit price of $70.25 per gallon and $39.75 per gallon respectively, with a total estimated annual cost of $308,026.00 for a three-year period starting in FY26; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.