HomeMy WebLinkAboutA017 - Water Treatment Plant Well Rehabilitation ProgramITEM #:18
DATE:08-26-25
DEPT:W&PC
SUBJECT:WATER PLANT WELL REHABILITATION CONTRACT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Well rehabilitation is an important maintenance activity to ensure proper functioning of the
water wells used to supply drinking water for the community and prevent premature well
failure. The Water Plant has its wells on a five-year rotation for cleaning and rehabilitation.
On June 14, 2022, Council awarded a well rehabilitation contract to Northway Well and Pump
Company of Waukee, Iowa. After completion of the first year, the contract allowed for up to
four optional annual renewals, for a maximum total of five years.
On May 14, 2024, Council awarded the Year Three contract (the second renewal) to Northway
to rehabilitate Well Numbers 6, 7, 16, 19, and 24 in the base amount of $154,208. Two change
orders were issued for repairs to Well 16 and Well 24 in the combined amount of $27,250.55,
yielding a final contract total of $181,458.55. City staff subsequently directed Northway to
exclude Well 6 from the 2024/25 year's work, as Well 6 may be abandoned in the near future
when The Linc development project begins. All remaining work covered by Year Three
has been successfully completed, for a total contract amount due to the contractor of
$145,446.04. An Engineer's Statement of Completion is attached.
Staff is also recommending that Council award the Year Four contract (third renewal option) to
Northway for the rehabilitation of Well Numbers 11, 15, 18, and 25. Under the terms of the
contract, adjustments from the base bid prices provided in 2022 are made using a
Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment factor.
The March CPI factor used to adjust from the FY 2022/23 bid to the FY 2025/26 contract
renewal is 10.65%. The resulting expenses for FY 2025/26 will be $5,532.50 for the
annual mobilization and $30,235.11 per well times four wells, for a total contract amount
of $126,472.94.
The FY 2025/26 Water Plant operating budget contains $131,848 for the rehabilitation,
and an additional $34,000 for repairs as needed.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can:
a. Accept the completion of Year Three of the five-year Water Plant Well
Rehabilitation Contract in the final amount of $145,446.04.
b. Award Year Four to Northway Well and Pump Company of Waukee, IA in the
amount of $126,472.94 for mobilization and rehabilitation of four wells in FY
2025/26.
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2. The City Council can:
a. Not accept completion of Year Three and provide staff with guidance on steps
needed to close out the contract.
b. Not award a contract for Year Four, and direct staff to solicit new bids for the
rehabilitation work.
3. The City Council can:
a. Not accept completion of Year Three and provide staff with guidance on steps
needed to close out the contract.
b. Not award a contract for Year Four, and direct staff not to pursue well rehabilitation
for FY 2025/26. This could result in lowered capacity in the wells and potentially
lead to premature failure of the wells and appurtenances.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Regular well maintenance is necessary to ensure the availability of source water
quantities to meet the City's current and future drinking water demands. Staff has
determined a five-year cycle of well rehabilitation to be an effective means of maintaining well
production. The third year of the Water Plant Well Rehabilitation contract has been
successfully completed in accordance with the plans and specifications. An Engineer's
Statement of Completion is attached.
The contract originally awarded to Northway Well and Pump Company included an option for
up to four annual renewals (a total of five years). Northway has performed effectively in the
prior three years’ work, and staff is recommending that they be awarded a contract renewal for
Year Four. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative No. 1, as noted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Engineer's Statement of Completion 2025.pdf
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515.239.5150 main
515.239.5496 fax
1800 E. 13th Street
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Water & Pollution Control Department
Smart Choice
ENGINEER’S STATEMENT OF COMPLETION
WATER TREATMENT PLANT
WELL REHABILITATION CONTRACT – YEAR THREE (FY 2024/25)
Contract No. 2022-149
Certifying Engineer: Ames Water and Pollution Control Department
Contractor: Northway Well and Pump Company
I hereby certify that the Well Rehabilitation Contract – Year Three (FY 2024/25), by a contract awarded by the
Ames City Council on May 12, 2024, has been satisfactorily completed in general compliance with the terms,
conditions, and stipulations of said contract.
The work was completed on or about June 30, 2025. Two change orders were executed for repairs to Wells 16
and 24 in a combined amount of $27,250.55. Well 6 was excluded from the scope of work at the City’s direction.
I further state that the total amount due to the contractor for the fulfillment of said contract is 145,446.04.
_______________________________ Date: August 14, 2025
John R. Dunn, PE #14826 EXP: 12-31-2026
Director, Water & Pollution Control
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