HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Staff Report Ford Test Bench rr - AGENDA ITEM # 12
Public-�'TRUCKEE DONNE
MEETING DATE: December 7, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Chad Reed, Water Utility Director
SUBJECT: Consideration to Purchase Meter Test Bench
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APPROVED BY:
Brian C. Wright; General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the General Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Ferguson
Waterworks for the purchase of a water meter test bench in the amount of $24,487.50,
plus a ten percent change order allowance of $2,449, for a total authorization not to
exceed $26,936.25.
BACKGROUND:
On January 1, 2017 Water Code Section 10608.34 was put into practice which directed
urban water suppliers to conduct and submit a validated water loss audit report to the
Department of Water Resources (DWR) annually. The water loss audit process requires
the District to contract with an outside consultant (certified auditor) to review the following
system performance metrics:
• Total Water Supplied
• Authorized and Unauthorized Consumption
o Water Production Meter Accuracy
o Customer Metering Accuracy (need test bench)
• Water Losses
• System Data Accuracy
• Cost Data
Once the independent auditor reviews the aforementioned system performance metrics,
a rubric is used to assign a validation score to each of the required inputs. The Board-
adopted Strategic Plan recognizes and addresses our need to increase our validity score
through the "District sustainability and reliability" goals. Part of the plan for achieving this
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goal is to implement the "water meter testing and replacement program" project, which
will result in an increased annual water loss audit validation score. The rubric in the meter
validity score requires a meter testing procedure for the District to receive a validity score
above 3 out of 10. To establish this procedure either the District needs to purchase a
meter test bench or send all selected meters out for testing. Staff has determined that
sending the meters out for independent testing will cost more than the meter test bench
in less than three years and the useful life of the test bench can easily exceed 30 years.
ANALYSIS:
Historically the lowest validation numbers on the District's Water Loss Audit are
associated with source metering and customer metering programs. In the summer of
2022, the District substantially completed (99%) its water meter installation program that
began in 2010. Having completed the installation of commercial and residential
volumetric meters, the District is now developing a comprehensive meter maintenance
program including testing, repair and replacement. The program will be executed by the
additional Water Utility Maintenance Program Coordinator position created in 2021. The
goals of the program are to implement best practices in water loss reduction including
meter testing and maintenance, leak detections and annual audits. Staff has determined
the first step of the meter testing program is to procure a meter test bench that satisfies
the American Water Workers Association (AWWA) parameters defined in the M36 Water
Audit and Loss Control Programs manual.
In October of 2022 Staff prepared an RFP (Request for Proposal)to procure a Ford Meter
testing bench. Two proposals were received on October 28, 2022 in response to the RFP.
Ferguson Water Works was determined to be the lowest responsive bidder with a total
bid amount of $24, 487.50.
The staff recommended test bench does satisfy the prescribed requirements.
OBJECTIVES & GOALS:
This item is in support of the following goals and objectives:
District Code1.05.020 Objectives:
3. Provide reliable and high quality water supply and distribution system to meet current
and future needs.
Strategic Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency (1.7. Water meter Testing and
Replacement program)
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item was included in the approved FY2022 Budget Capital Project (Work Order
#2275098) in the amount of $25,000 based upon previous cost estimations. The
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remaining $1,936 will be funded from the operating reserve. The operating reserve
($5.2M as of 12/31/2021) has sufficient funds for this forecasted $8,418 capital
expenditure overage in 2022.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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