Report Prepared by: Johnnie Baptista, Public Works Manager - Water
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Services Agreement with AKEL Engineering Group, Inc., in the Amount not to Exceed $183,460 to Develop and Implement a Zero Discharge Flushing Route Plan to Utilize the NO-DES Equipment for the Water Department
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a Services Agreement for engineering services and tasks related to the development, testing, and implementation of a drought-friendly comprehensive mainline flushing system designed to utilize the Water Department’s NO-DES equipment.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council – Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Services Agreement with AKEL Engineering Group, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $183,460; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Continue item to a Council future meeting.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200 - Powers.
Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Section 3.04 – Purchasing System.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2026/2027 adopted budget.
DISCUSSION
All public drinking water systems require a flushing program to help maintain water quality and ensure the reliability of the distribution system. Traditionally, flushing is performed by Water Operators who systematically direct water through the distribution system in a specific sequence, generally working outward from the source well. This process is accomplished by opening fire hydrants and discharging drinking water to waste.
To effectively clean the interior of water mains, operators must achieve sufficient flow velocities to scour accumulated sediment and other deposits from the pipes. The industry-accepted target velocity for conventional flushing is approximately 5 feet p...
Click here for full text