STAFF REPORT

January 25, 2000

To: Works Committee

From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Subject: Engineering Services to Complete the Rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant

Purpose:

To authorize additional engineering fees for detailed investigation of existing site conditions, detailed design and general administration and site supervision services for the Blower Building Electrical Equipment related to the Rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding is available in the approved 1999-2003 Water and Wastewater Services Division Capital Works Program, Water Pollution Control, Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, Equipment Replacement Account C-WP160.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that authority be granted to amend the existing engineering services Agreement with the engineering firm of MacViro Consultants Inc. for detailed investigation of existing site conditions, detailed design and general administration and site supervision services related to electrical equipment modifications associated with the Blower Building in conjunction with the Rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, by an additional amount of $60,990.00, including all applicable taxes and disbursements.

Background:

Metropolitan Council on April 16, 1998, by adoption of Works and Utilities Committee Report No. 3, Clause No. 13, authorized the engagement of the engineering firm of MacViro Consultants Inc. (MacViro) to provide engineering services in connection with the rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation and related structures and services at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.

As part of the engineering scope for the Replacement of the North Electrical Substation assignment, MacViro conducted an electrical survey of the Blower Building facilities to ensure that the design of the new North Substation encompassed all related and interconnected equipment on its electrical power grid including the Blower Building, thereby achieving a seamless integration of a modified North Electrical Substation to the remainder of the plant facilities supplied with electrical power by this substation. It was during this survey that it became evident that portions of two (2) of the three (3) switchgear assemblies, pertaining to the operation of high pressure air blowers, were obsolete (approximately 28 years old) and deteriorating and would require replacement in the near future.

Replacement of the Blower Building switchgear at a later date by separate contract would result in unnecessarily duplicating equipment since the existing equipment in the Blower Building, due to its configuration, would require a greater number of current breakers to be installed compared to incorporating the Blower Building switchgear in the North Substation rehabilitation project. In addition, there would be costs associated with the maintenance requirements for this duplicate equipment as well as an increase in the operating complexity.

To minimize maintenance cost and to realize an effective and efficient operation of equipment and plant processes, obsolete and potentially unsafe electrical equipment in the Blower Building should be replaced concurrently with the rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation. This would represent the greatest potential for equipment cost savings in that the contractor is better able to obtain more competitive pricing on the purchase of a larger quantity of switchgear equipment. Based on the bulk purchase of switchgear and mobilization/demobilization as it relates to construction contracts and their associated engineering costs, the savings to be realized by replacing the Blower Building switchgear at the same time as performing the rehabilitation of the North Electrical Substation is estimated to be $72,000.00 including GST. The additional design and related site supervision services cost of this work is estimated to be $60,990.00, inclusive of GST.

Conclusions:

In view of the advantage of including the replacement of obsolete electrical equipment pertaining to the Blower Building under the upgrade of the North Electrical Substation Project at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, it is recommended that MacViro's fees be increased in an amount of $60,990.00 inclusive of GST for detailed investigation of existing site conditions, detailed design and general administration and site supervision services for the upgrading and integration of the aforementioned electrical equipment.

Contact:

Peter Jancic, P. Eng.

Senior Project Engineer

Plant & Facility Construction

Tel. No. (416) 392-8251; Fax: (416) 392-4594

E-mail: Pjancic@toronto.ca.

Tom G. Denes Barry H. Gutteridge

Executive Director Commissioner

Technical Services Works & Emergency Services Department

JP/ph

macviro

List of Attachments:

None