San Luis public works outlines phased plan and procurement path for West wastewater plant expansion

The City’s public works director briefed council on the West wastewater treatment plant expansion and explained a change in procurement method and the phasing plan.

Euolo Chiovera said the project began in 2021 with assessments to identify which plant to expand. After two rounds of preconstruction services with firms selected through RFQ (a first-choice CMAR and then a second candidate), the city did not come to terms with CMAR delivery and consequently completed the design and decided to deliver the project via design–bid–build. Chiovera said the work will be broken into three separate bid packages: (1) the force main from Lift Station 300 to the treatment plant, (2) the treatment plant construction, and (3) a building associated with the expansion. The force-main portion is expected to begin construction in the next few months and the city plans to advertise for the treatment-plant bid in coming months.

Chiovera cautioned that converting from CMAR to design–bid–build creates additional design work and potential future change-order approvals; he said he expects multiple contract approvals to return to council as the bid packages are awarded.

Council members thanked Public Works for the update and indicated full support for the project and requested continued updates when contract actions return for council approval.