Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski – Assistant Director of Utilities Toni R. Wheeler – Director of the Legal Department
Date:	August 23, 2013
RE:	Cost Share Agreement with the Kansas Water Office on the on-going Kansas River Algal Study

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the September 3, 2013 meeting:

Authorize the City Manager to enter into a cost share agreement with the Kansas Water Office and approve payment to the Kansas Water Office in an amount of $52,640.

Background:

In August of 2011, Milford Reservoir was closed to all contact and recreation because of high concentrations of cyanobacteria and the cyanotoxin microcystin. As the Corp of Engineers began to release water from Milford and other reservoirs, WaterOne, Topeka, and Lawrence were concerned about the fate and transport of the toxins in the water and how they might impact our water treatment processes.

Lawrence, WaterOne, and Topeka worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to study the fate and transport of the toxins in the river in order to be prepared for potential algal toxins. In the search for other partners to help fund the study, the Kansas Water Office (KWO) agreed to be the contracting authority with the USGS. The city of Lawrence has been partner to this study for budget years 2011 and 2012.

The scope of work for 2013 is twofold. It includes event sampling and monitoring to determine the sources, frequency of occurrence, and potential causes of the cyanobacteria and taste and odor compounds in the Kansas River, as well as routine continuous monitoring for background data and possible predictors to future events. This year also includes a joint study with the World Research Foundation (WRF) that focuses on removal efficiency of several water treatment processes for algae toxins.

The City of Lawrence’s portion of the study for 2013 is $52,640. The study did not use all of the funding approved for last year. Therefore there remains $23,120 available in addition to the $29,520 that would be funded from the 2013 budget.

In addition to the local contributions to the study, the Kansas Water Office will contribute $40,000, the NSIP grant funding will provide $40,000, the USGS will contribute up to $76,960, and the WRF will provide a $100,000 matching grant.

The KWO will provide an amendment to the 2012 agreement with the potential to be renewable for up to 3 additional years. The agreement will be reviewed by the Legal and Utilities Departments.

Project Funding:

This project will be funded from the Department of Utilities Operations and Maintenance budget for the Kaw Water Treatment Plant.

Action Request:

Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to enter into a cost share agreement with the Kansas Water Office and approve payment to the Kansas Water Office in an amount of $52,640.