More money is being allocated to fix the northeast reservoir backup engine after it was discovered the entire switch gear and switchboard need replacing.
During Monday's regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve a change order to the contract with Pro-Tec Electric Ltd. for the northeast reservoir backup engine replacement project for more than $59,598.55, to replace the two electrical mechanisms.
This project will prolong the electrical service life of the pumphouse, a city administration report explained. Due to a recent power outage at the pumphouse, damage was caused to the motor and switch gear for pump No. 3. Further investigation revealed the bus bar in the switch gear was also pitted.
The backup engines are being replaced with a natural gas generator, since the engines that drive the pumps when the electric power fails are becoming unreliable. The technology used in these engines is outdated and replacement parts are difficult to obtain, the report explained.
The original construction contract value with Pro-Tec is more than $888,085.49. The dollar amount of the change order represents an increase of 6.71 per cent, the report continued. The average construction contingency and contract variations is within five per cent to 10 per cent of the new award contract value.
The extra funding to fix the electrical mechanisms increases the project cost to $1,049,134.04.
“This is a fairly routine item,” Josh Mickleborough, director of engineering services, told city council. “This project is on budget, even with the change order. We did receive three tenders on this. We received favourable tender pricing, which left budget available for items that were provisional.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 24.
