WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – Williams will replace approximately 8,300 feet of deficient sewer mains and laterals through a project fully funded by a state grant.
The City Council on Sept. 16 awarded a $3,608,377 construction contract to Ranger Pipelines, the lowest eligible bidder among seven companies competing for the work.
“The bids came in really well,” said Laurie McCollum, principal civil engineer with PACE Engineering. “The numbers we were happy to see.”
Ranger submitted a base bid of $3,567,877. The council added $40,500 to rehabilitate five deficient manholes throughout the city.
The base work will upgrade sewer mains, manholes and laterals from B Street at the railroad crossing to the intersection of D and 11th streets. Another section runs from the alley along D Street between Sixth and Seventh streets to I Street and the alley between Eighth Street and Redinger Way.
The State Water Resources Control Board awarded Williams $5.46 million through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. No city money is required to complete the project, including its construction contingency, city officials said.
After the contract award, approximately $1.85 million remains for construction administration and unexpected costs, officials said. McCollum said the available balance leaves the city with slightly less than a 20% contingency.
Additional sections could be added later if construction proceeds without using the full contingency, McCollum said.
Councilmember John Troughton Jr. asked whether the sewer work could be coordinated with the replacement of aging water lines. He said completing both systems together could reduce costs and prevent crews from reopening the same areas during future projects.
“We need to get the sewer and the water fixed,” Troughton said.
McCollum said coordinating the work would likely reduce contract administration and mobilization expenses. However, water and sewer lines must be placed in separate trenches, and the state wastewater grant cannot pay for drinking-water improvements, she said.
Williams is completing an income survey that could make the city eligible for additional water and wastewater grants if it qualifies as a disadvantaged community, McCollum said. Community Development Block Grant funding could also allow both systems to be improved during a future project.
The state funding agreement requires the wastewater improvements to be completed by Sept. 1, 2029, officials said.