MINTO – A $3.67-million tender for the construction of a new secondary clarifier at the Palmerston Pollution Control Plan has been approved by town council.
The tender, the lowest of three submitted, was awarded on Feb. 1 to Minto-based Wellington Construction Contractors.
Other bids were submitted by Jeviso Construction Corporation of Vaughn ($3,888,233) and BGL Contractors Corp of Waterloo ($4,757,600).
Wastewater services manager Mark Robertson told council a consultant’s assessment of the condition of the existing clarifier was completed in 2019. The consultant indicated the existing model has an expected lifespan of 25 to 30 years.
“We are currently at 34 years. So we have surpassed the life expectancy of the clarifier by a few years. So it is time for replacement,” Robertson stated.
He noted the successful bid exceeded the initial engineering estimate and budget of $2.9 million.
“We reached out to the contractors that did submit bids and we’re just wondering why, or looking for reasoning on the prices that were elevated,” he said.
“The response that we got from the contractors was soil conditions on site … all the watering was a big concern for most contractors.
“Everybody knows we had a really wet fall and when you’re dealing with a project like a clarifier and digging a great big hole water management and de-watering can become a really big job, and also very expensive for contractors.”
Robertson added supply chain issues and pricing increases caused “volatility in the market.”
Councillor Geoff Gunson asked what the life expectancy of a new clarifier would be.
“It is very similar technology to what’s there,” replied Robertson, noting that the relevant technology has advanced to a certain degree, “but I would expect that 30 years is likely fairly accurate.”
Chris Clark of Triton Engineering noted that the existing clarifier is not going to be removed.
“So we are going to be able to utilize that system in the future. So what that will actually do is help Mark, his department, service the new system on a regular basis, so it’ll actually provide a bit more redundancy … that will increase the expected lifespan of the structure,” Clark explained.
“I think, Chris, you hit on something really important,” said deputy mayor Dave Turton.
“Mark’s been handicapped for years, not being able to empty the clarifier and do an inspection annually, where now with the second one is it’s going to make it so much easier … It’s going to make the whole system work better.”
A motion to draw an additional $1 million from wastewater reserves for the project and award the tender to Wellington Construction was approved unopposed.
