To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1900, Nazareth Tesfai 707-521-1850
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Geyserville Sanitation Zone Treatment Plant Biosolids Removal and Related Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Geyserville Sanitation Zone Treatment Plant Biosolids Removal and Related Services with Synagro Technologies, Inc., in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board. The amended agreement increases the amount by $30,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $450,000 and no change to end date of November 26, 2026. (Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests that the Board authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s (Sonoma Water) General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for biosolids removal and related services at the Geyserville Sanitation Zone Treatment Plant (Geyserville Treatment Plant), with Synagro Technologies, Inc. (Service Provider). Additional funding is required to cover Service Provider’s increased rates. The work under this proposed amended agreement includes removal, dewatering, weighing, sampling, and disposal of biosolids from treatment ponds at Geyserville Treatment Plant, owned and operated by Sonoma Water. The Geyserville Treatment Plant’s process does not include biosolids removal and therefore requires regular biosolids removal to ensure operations can function at peak efficiency. The removal process involves multiple steps and coordinated planning to ensure the Geyserville Treatment Plant remains safely online.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Wastewater treatment ponds require ongoing maintenance to allow the plant to operate in compliance with its Waste Discharge Requirements permit and Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements. Since 2010, limited biosolids removal has been provided by Sonoma Water; however, Sonoma Water does not have the capability to provide large scale biosolids removal. In 2018, it was necessary to remove and dispose of biosolids from the treatment ponds at Geyserville Sanitation Zone, Occidental County Sanitation District, and Airport-Larkfield-Wikiup Sanitation Zone.
The removal of biosolids is performed in events (Removal Event), which are completed in stages. Each Removal Event requires mobilization, demobilization, and furnishing of necessary permits, equipment, labor, and materials for removal of biosolids from the Geyserville Treatment Plant and reuse for land application or disposed of at a landfill.
The intent of each Removal Event is to remove accumulated biosolids from one or more biological treatment ponds in the minimum amount of time so that the emptied pond may be returned to service with the maximum solids storage and treatment capacity after being emptied.
Sonoma Water and Service Provider entered into an agreement for biosolids removal and related services dated July 12, 2021, in the amount of $420,000.
Service Provider completed year one of biosolids removal in 2021 and will complete their final year of biosolids removal in Spring/Summer of 2026.
SELECTION PROCESS
In 2019, as the ponds at Geyserville Treatment Plant were nearing capacity, there was an urgent need to remove biosolids and regain capacity as soon as possible. In an effort to expedite this work, Sonoma Water utilized the competitive selection process that was completed by the Town of Windsor (Town) in December 2019 for biosolids removal and related services. Sonoma Water determined that the services solicited by the Town were substantially similar to services required by Sonoma Water. In addition, Sonoma Water determined that Town’s evaluation of respondents met Sonoma Water’s standard for evaluation. In October 2020, Sonoma Water contacted the same Service Provider based on Town’s competitive selection process, and Service Provider agreed to perform similar services at the rates negotiated with Town.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed amended agreement, Service Provider will continue to provide biosolids removal including permit acquisition, mobilization, demobilization, transportation, cleanup, preparation of required plans, and disposal, including applicable dewatering, weighing, and sampling in a manner that complies with local, state, and federal requirements.
The year one Removal Event was coordinated with the Town of Windsor and Service Provider to reduce mobilization and demobilization costs, since the facility is in close proximity to the Geyserville Treatment Plant. The Removal Event remaining under the agreement is for the fifth year of the agreement (2026). While funding for the 2026 Removal Event has been largely covered by Sonoma Water funds, additional funding is required to cover Service Provider’s increased rates.
The additional cost is $30,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $450,000. There is no change to end date of November 30, 2026.
California Environmental Quality Act
The General Manager has determined that executing the First Amended Agreement for services related to the removal of biosolids is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b), Existing Facilities because these services support ongoing operations and routine maintenance of the existing treatment plant to operate in compliance with state and regional water quality regulations and to protect water quality and public health. The scope of work involves no expansion of use or capacity. The work would not impact a scenic or historical resource or degrade the quality of the environment and would not result in any significant or cumulative adverse effect upon the environment. Sonoma Water staff prepared a Notice of Exemption in accordance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and Sonoma Water’s Compliance Procedures for CEQA.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Planning and Infrastructure
Strategy: Fund and implement planned capital and maintenance projects on schedule to ensure reliable services
Action: Implement standardized project management practices.
This work aligns with this goal, strategy and action by continuing operation and reliability of Sonoma Water’s infrastructure by providing reliable sanitation services at the Geyserville Treatment Plant.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
6/8/2021: Board approved agreement with Synagro Technologies, Inc. for biosolids removal and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of $420,000.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$30,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$30,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$30,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$30,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $30,000 is available from FY 2025/2026 appropriations for the Geyserville Sanitation Zone Operations fund. No additional appropriation is required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Draft Amended Agreement with Synagro Technologies, Inc.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.