On July 28, 2019 the Village of Arlington Heights experienced widespread water main breaks throughout the water distribution system area. The cause of the water main breaks was determined to be pressure related spikes combined with an aging infrastructure. A comprehensive study ensued to ensure a solution to mitigate future occurrences associated with the operation of all booster pumps that convey potable water throughout the Village. The solution is to switch the pumping practices and strategies to utilize a constant pressure scenario versus the existing pumping strategy that relies on water tank levels and pump combinations to maintain system pressure. This pressure based philosophy, coupled with new pump motor drivers that have already been installed in all the pump stations, will ensure minimal pressure changes within the entire distribution system, thus providing a much more stable distribution system for all pumping demand scenarios.

The highly specialized nature of the process of software programming design and implementation requires a professional firm that specializes in Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Distribution Modeling, Process Control Systems, Electrical Engineering and major project oversight. As such, Public Works has reached out to AECOM for this project. AECOM currently employees Frank Green. Frank is an Electrical Engineer that is uniquely qualified for this specialized task. Frank has performed this task in neighboring communities with great success and seamless integration during the startup process. AECOM is the Engineering Firm primarily responsible for all engineering for Northwest Water Commission (NWC). AECOM’s Staff have already created a Hydraulic Distribution Model for the Village of Arlington Heights, this makes them uniquely familiar with Arlington Heights distribution system and its constraints.

AECOM’s scope of services includes project administration, design, programming, hydraulic model scenarios, implementation and startup with follow-up adjustments. It is expected that this project, once awarded, will take about four months to complete. The importance of getting this right the first time is critical towards minimalizing distribution system disturbances during the transitionary period of changing pumping strategies. The cost for AECOM services for this project is an amount not-to-exceed $130,000. Staff would like to transfer funds from the Water and Sewer Contingency Fund in the amount of $130,000 in order to fund this project within the existing SCADA Enhancement Account.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board waive competitive bids due to the highly specialized nature of professional services and approve execution of a contract with AECOM for services related to software programming and hydraulic modeling of the Water Production Unit Pump Station in an amount not-to-exceed $130,000. It is further recommended the transfer of $130,000 from the Water and Sewer Operating Contingency (505-9901-591.40-96) to SCADA Enhancements (505-7201-561.50-15 EQ 15-25), and to authorize staff to execute the necessary documents.