Bid for two sewage lift pumps for the Vancouver Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility that was 162 percent higher than city estimates
Spencer Pauley
The Center Square Washington
The Vancouver City Council has rejected a bid for two sewage lift pumps for the Vancouver Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility that was 162 percent higher than city estimates.
The Vancouver Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility is in need of replacements of two replacement non-clog pumps to ensure a safer workplace and more reliable operation. Currently, the facility’s sewage influent pump gallery has two newer non-clog pumps and three pumps from original construction in the 1990’s. Treatment plant operators have to manually remove materials from the three old pumps.
The city engineer originally estimated that the purchase of two non-clog pumps would cost $90,000, rather than the $862,969 bid that the city received. The engineer’s estimate was based on a single, smaller pump and was erroneously not updated when the project turned to pursuing larger pumps, according to a staff report.
The updated estimate from the city engineer is now $560,000, which is a 522% increase from the original estimate.
The Vancouver City Council rejected the bid in the council meeting on Jan. 8 as part of the consent agenda. With the rejected bid, the city staff will now ensure more competitive pricing by establishing more standard requirements and specifications.
Out of the $128 million that is dedicated to utilities projects in the Vancouver 2023-2024 budget, $58 million is set for a two-year wastewater program that includes $7 million in investments for the Marine Park plant where the replacement pumps are intended to go.
The Center Square reached out to the City of Vancouver to inquire if the updated estimated cost of $560,000 to purchase two new pumps impact the city’s intent to ensure a safer workplace at the Marine Park plant. However, the city did not respond at the time of this publication.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Camas girls basketball: Defending champions look to learn from mistakes with a tough scheduleCamas girls basketball faces growing pains as they aim to defend their state championship with a young, talented team.
- Clark County Today Sports Podcast, Dec 19, 2024: Discussing the protocol on voting for WIAA amendments, plus a look at some of the amendments that will be voted on in 2025Clark County Today Sports Podcast reviews Camas and Seton Catholic football, WIAA amendments, and winter sports.
- Biden Energy Dept. deals another blow to natural gas supportersThe Department of Energy’s new rules and a report on LNG exports have sparked debates among natural gas supporters and environmental advocates.
- Opinion: Courts blocking the Kroger-Albertson merger won’t stop consumers from making choicesPaul Guppy of Washington Policy Center critiques judicial rulings that block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing changing consumer trends and potential job losses.
- Pac Coast Wrestling to return to Clark County Event Center Dec. 27-28The Pac Coast Wrestling Championships, featuring over 100 teams, return to the Clark County Event Center Dec. 27-28 for two days of thrilling competition.
- Mountain View now runs Clark County’s high school basketball holiday tournamentThe Mountain View Holiday Invite will host eight boys basketball teams, including five from Clark County, from Dec. 26-28 in a showcase of local talent.
- GoFundMe spotlight: Fundraiser for four injured in food truck explosionA fundraiser has been launched to support four individuals injured in the 4 Caminos food truck explosion in Vancouver, Washington.