Purpose

The purpose of this project is to conduct a siting study evaluation to determine viable locations for a future water reclamation facility (WRF) to serve the western and southern portions of the City of Lawrence’s planned urban growth area.  It is anticipated that the treatment facility options will be planned and sized to accommodate the ultimate build-out of the watersheds identified in the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan Study.  Viable treatment facility locations will be identified, screened, and evaluated in order to determine the most suitable location meeting the stakeholder’s goals for the future facility.  A comprehensive siting study report will be provided to staff for use in permitting and acquiring the selected properties.

Public Outreach

It is anticipated that the public’s input into the siting process will be obtained on the following items:

• How the site will be utilized and what features (i.e. trails, bike paths, fishing ponds, educational facilities, public meeting space, research and demonstration areas, etc.) should be incorporated within the site design?
• What is the public’s vision for the facility’s appearance?
• What treatment process should be utilized at the facility as it relates to public acceptability relating to odor control, aesthetics, lighting, noise control, and other site utilization compatibility issues?

Dialog with the stakeholder’s will be gathered through:

• Three public meetings
• Stakeholder engagement
• Four workshops with staff and key stakeholders, which will be appointed by the Mayor
• Static kiosks with informational handouts
• Active web page with project information
• Media coverage in local outlets
• Inserts in City utility bills
• Advertisements on local cable television and radio
• Direct mailings to special interest groups

The objective of this project is to identify, evaluate, and ultimately make a recommendation for the City’s acquisition of sufficient property to meet the spatial needs for the WRF, including wet-weather treatment and biosolids dewatering, as well as other public functions and amenities determined by staff and the project stakeholders.

Contracting

This Scope of Services includes the siting study for the treatment facilities only, with desktop evaluations of costs and impacts of the conveyance corridors to the potential plant sites though this initial contract entitled:

• Phase I-a  – Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility Siting Study  (Fee = $517,500)

Upon successful location of the WRF site, an amendment will be required for the detailed evaluation of the pumping station location(s) and pipeline routes from the existing Four Seasons Pumping Station to the new Wakarusa WRF.  Therefore, it is anticipated that future amendments will be required for the following activities:

• Phase I-b  – Conveyance Corridor Siting Study
• Phase II – Preliminary, Final Design, and Bidding Phase Services
• Phase III – Construction Phase Services

An evaluation of the project delivery methods to meet the desired project completion timeline by 2011 will be conducted after selection of a site to advise staff of their options for completing the project on time.

Schedule

Refer to the attached schedule for the Phase I-a – Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility Siting Study work.

Contingency

The fee includes contingency for the following activities:

• Additional public interface ($5,000)
• Five additional innovative treatment technologies and associated spatial needs
• Two additional public meetings ($1,800)
• General project contingency ($25,000)