FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Lan C. Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services
SUBJECT:
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PFAS INVESTIGATIVE ORDER
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Professional Services Agreement to CDM Smith, Inc. (CDM Smith) to provide PFAS Sampling and Analysis Services, Specification No. CS-2020-1178BD, for a total amount not to exceed $369,006; and
B. Approve a contingency in the amount of $55,351 (15%).
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) received a Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Phase III Investigative Order WQ-2020-0015-DWQ (Order) from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on July 13, 2020. The SWRCB is authorized by Water Code Sections 13267 and 13383 to require suspected dischargers of PFAS into the environment to furnish technical or monitoring reports of the release or the disposal of waste containing PFAS. The Order requires the Sanitation District to sample and analyze wastewater influent, effluent, and biosolids at both Reclamation Plant No. 1 and Treatment Plant No. 2 quarterly for a period of one year.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
* Ensure the public's money is wisely spent
* Maintain a culture of improving efficiency to reduce the cost to provide the current service level or standard
* Protect Orange County Sanitation District assets
* Commitment to safety & reducing risk in all operations
PROBLEM
PFAS are ubiquitous and can be found in many consumer products used daily, including cosmetics, personal care products, clothing, equipment, and materials. Therefore, there are significant challenges associated with sampling and analyzing for PFAS due to high potential for cross-contamination. In addition, these chemicals are very complex in nature and the Sanitation District has limited experience in sampling and analyzing these chemicals. Therefore, the Sanitat...
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