Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Michigan, Inc. to Develop and Complete an Odor Study for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, RFP No. 18-26 ($222,779.00)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to approve a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Michigan, Inc. (HDR) in the amount of up to $222,779.00 for professional engineering services to develop and complete an odor study at and in the area surrounding the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The purpose of the proposed study is to obtain an objective assessment of the potential sources of offsite nuisance odors as reported periodically by residents in the areas adjacent to the WWTP.
In 2006, during the design of a previous WWTP capital improvement project to replace and rehabilitate biosolids management facilities, an odor study was conducted at the plant site due to odor complaints from the surrounding community and observations confirmed by WWTP staff. Based on the results of this study, the City installed odor treatment equipment to mitigate plant sources of offsite nuisance odors during construction of this project.
After completion of the biosolids management project in 2012, WWTP staff have continued to receive offsite nuisance odor complaints from nearby residents, as well as from the staffs at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Washtenaw Community College. When a complaint is received, WWTP staff immediately go to the location where the odor was reported to see if it can be detected by personal observation or use of gas detection equipment, and whether the source can be identified. In addition, WWTP staff inspect the plant site to see if there are any sources of odors that may have caused the complaint. Finally, WWTP staff prepare a written record of each nuisance odor complaint, which vary in description, frequency, intensity and duration. Some of the odor complaints have been identified as being attributable to WWTP activities while others have not. WWTP staff ...
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