The Williams City Council last month waived the public bidding process to contract with PACE Engineering Inc. to develop a citywide Water Master Plan.
PACE engineers are very familiar with the city’s water systems, having designed several recent projects and have had oversight over construction in the past, said Public Works Director Colt Esenwein.
The contract is not to exceed $120,000, officials said.
Esenwein said that during the installation of the electronic water meters last summer, the city discovered several deficiencies with the existing water distribution system, including significant needs in the Westgate area, Venice Boulevard, and E Street, between 9th and Venice.
As a result, meter replacement was deferred for five services on E Street, Esenwein said.
Williams has suffered several well problems in recent years, officials said, including buckling of the well casing in one city well, possibly because of land subsidence related to drought, and one well has been taken offline, despite a retrofit with an above-grade sand separator in 2020.
According to Esenwein, the state has a significant amount of money set aside for drinking water infrastructure, and projects previously slated for a cost share could now be fully funded, including the new well currently designed, but awaiting funding.
Meanwhile, with ongoing repairs and one well completely down, Williams officials said they are having difficulty providing even the minimum fire flows, and that the city must identify new sources of water.
“There is a clear advantage to the city in moving forward as quickly as possible with the development of a Water Master Plan to demonstrate a need and best position the city to take advantage of the state funds, which are available now,” Esenwein said.
The City Council on Feb. 15, in the best interest of the city, waived the formal bidding process and authorized City Administrator Frank Kennedy to contract with PACE for the development of the Water Master Plan, using money available in the Williams Water Fund. ■