Title
Discussion regarding the purchase of water sampling stations.
Body
Summary:
The Water Treatment Plant and Water/Sewer Maintenance Division of Public Works collect samples around the city on a daily basis. Currently, forty (40) samples per month are collected for analysis of bacteriological activity and a daily water sample is required to meet the regulations imposed by TCEQ and the EPA for safe drinking water.
Since the shutdown of commerce related to COVID-19, many citizens became more aware of the sampling that typically occurs at a hose bib on the side of a residence. The homes we use are part of a monitoring plan that is approved, so we go to the same locations every month. With the awareness of sampling at homes, some residents like knowing that we are sampling their water and others have expressed their displeasure. Weekend sampling has proven more difficult. Crew members have reported angry residents that are only aware we are testing water at their location when the employee raises up and is seen through, typically, a kitchen window. Besides these issues, some cases of positive total coliform samples (bacteriological samples) are a direct result of activity or unsanitary conditions within a home. Sampling stations would mitigate all of these issues.
The sampling stations we proposed in the FY22-23 budget is a metal case that would have its own tap located in the easement or right of way of the addresses on our Monitoring Plan. They would be a permanent installation where the samplers no longer have to approach a home to collect a sample, but can collect the required sample from near the sidewalk. The samples station is approximately 8 inches square and stand about 2 feet off of the ground without the purchase of an extension to raise it. While it will be located in a right of way or easement, it does sit in the yard of a resident creating the need for additional care in the vicinity. The case of the sampling station will be stamped with the City or Public Works Logo to identify it as a City aperture. Multiple cities have employed the use of sampling stations to make sampling more convenient, efficient, and less impactful on residents. Some of these cities include Beaumont, Galveston, Lake Jackson, and Pearland.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
This item is for discussion only at this time. $33,200 was budgeted in 400-503-44150 and the expected cost is $37,480.
Recommended action
Discussion only.