The project to upgrade the Wellington wastewater treatment plant in Prince Edward County continues to be over budget but received approval regardless, almost a year after the original tender went out.
Selectra Inc. won a revised tender bid in the amount of $534,588 and an increase of $62,092 was added to the capital budget for the upgrades from long-term debt as no reserves exist.
The 2019 capital budget included an allocation for upgrades and repairs to the Wellington Wastewater Treatment Plant.
There were four main components of the work, including supply and installation of a new backup generator, replacement of four existing blower units, replacement of the motor control centre, building exterior repairs and driveway extension.
Staff issued a Request for Tenders for the work in January 2019 and all the tenders received were in excess of the capital budget.
As a result, staff revised the scope of the work to only include the following high priority components of the project: supply and installation of a new backup generator and replacement of the motor control centre.
A new RFT was issued with a closing date for receipt of tenders on October 10, 2019. All submitted bids received in response to the second RFT were also in excess of the available budget.
Councillor John Hirsch said the problem they are dealing with is the cost estimate for the project was from 2015 and was not updated.
Garrett Osborne, Project Manager told council on Thursday afternoon at Shire Hall, while they are currently compliant with the Ministry and they have not yet been ordered by the Ministry to become compliant, he feels one is imminent as they are in need of an adequate supply of backup power for the treatment plant.
Currently, during a power outage the blowers in the treatment plant do not operate due to the limited capacity of the currently shared generator.
The standby generator has been identified as the highest priority as it plays a critical role in maintaining essential plant functions.
The proposed backup generator and motor control centre will improve existing plant functions but also have the ability to be incorporated into a new or expanded plant in the future.
The motion is up for final approval on December 17.
