To: Boards of Directors, Russian River County Sanitation District and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Russian River County Sanitation District and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ellen Simm 707-521-1809
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First and Fifth
Title:
Title
Biotoxicity Monitoring and Related Services
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager acting on behalf of Russian River County Sanitation District and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District to execute an agreement with AQUA-Science LLC, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for biotoxicity monitoring and related services through December 31, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $345,000. (First and Fifth Districts)
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Executive Summary:
Pursuant to section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act and implementing regulations adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has instructed Russian River County Sanitation District and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (“Districts”) to have wastewater tested for a variety of toxins and biotoxicity.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Pursuant to section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act and implementing regulations adopted by the EPA, discharge of treated effluent wastewater to waters of the state cannot cause receiving waters to contain toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, humans, plants, animals, or aquatic life.
To meet these requirements, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has instructed Districts to have wastewater tested for a variety of toxins and biotoxicity. This in-depth work requires highly trained and skilled laboratory expertise.
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) operates and manages Districts under contract with Districts.
SELECTION PROCESS
AQUA-Science LLC (Consultant) was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from the June 16, 2021 competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Consultant was selected for the subject work because it is recognized as an expert in this industry and works with the EPA on a regular basis. In addition to overall qualifications, Consultant is familiar with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements because of its work on the Russian River County Sanitation District, Occidental County Sanitation District, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District permit renewals.
Districts may seek to amend or enter into subsequent agreement(s) with Board approval if required, relying upon this competitive selection process, after the preliminary or initial work is completed.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the agreement, Consultant will test wastewater for a variety of toxins by an Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program-certified laboratory, as required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
The cost of services will not exceed $345,000; the term end date is December 31, 2027.
Under the agreement, Sonoma Water’s General Manager shall have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension shall be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by the parties.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy: Protect, enhance, and monitor natural resources, watershed conditions, and ecosystem health that are vital to the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds.
Action: Conduct fisheries, wildlife, and water quality monitoring through existing programs and use of new technologies.
Monitoring water quality through testing of water and wastewater for biotoxicity ensures that Districts are not causing harm to humans, plants, animals, or aquatic life.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
11/16/2021: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost: $375,000; term end 12/30/2024.
09/11/2018: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost: $540,000; term end 6/30/2021.
08/11/2015: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost: $690,000; term end 6/30/2018.
12/04/2012: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost $810,000; term end 6/30/2015.
12/08/2009: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$57,500 |
$115,000 |
$115,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$57,500 |
$115,000 |
$115,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
|
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$57,500 |
$115,000 |
$115,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$57,500 |
$115,000 |
$115,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $57,500 is available from FY 2024/2025 appropriations for the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District fund ($34,500) and the Russian River County Sanitation District fund ($23,000). FY 2025/2026, FY 2026/2027, FY 2027/2028 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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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 Agreement with AQUA-Science LLC
Attachment 2: Competitive Selection Process Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.