Tempe awards $2.8m activated-carbon contract for water treatment
City of Tempe Water Utility Department, Arizona · Meeting date: November 5, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
Tempe City Council has selected Donau Carbon US for a two-year powdered activated carbon contract serving the Johnny G. Martinez and South Tempe water treatment plants. The procurement supports the utility's treatment process for water-quality, disinfection byproduct, taste-and-odour and algae-control purposes.
Key points
- Council approved a two-year contract with Donau Carbon US, LLC, valued at up to $2.8 million, with three one-year renewal options.
- The contract will supply powdered activated carbon to the Johnny G. Martinez Water Treatment Plant and South Tempe Water Treatment Plant.
- Donau Carbon submitted the lowest-priced offer at $1.09/lb, ahead of ARQ Purification at $1.41/lb and Secure Supplies Group at $1.59/lb.
- The award was approved 6-0, with Councilmember Keating absent.
Full report
Tempe City Council has approved a two-year, up-to-$2.8 million contract with Donau Carbon US, LLC for powdered activated carbon (PAC), maintaining a key treatment-chemical supply for the city's two water treatment plants.
The November 5 decision covers PAC purchases for the Johnny G. Martinez Water Treatment Plant and South Tempe Water Treatment Plant, funded through the Water and Wastewater Fund. The agreement includes three one-year renewal options.
Tempe uses powdered activated carbon during treatment to improve water quality, minimise disinfection byproducts and improve the aesthetic qualities of tap water. Staff said the material is effective in controlling taste-and-odour components arising from low concentrations of naturally occurring substances in source water. It also assists with algae control and particulate removal.
Donau Carbon was ranked first among three bidders in the procurement, scoring 1,000 points. Its offered price was $1.09/lb, compared with $1.41/lb from ARQ Purification and $1.59/lb from Secure Supplies Group. All three firms passed the city's mandatory minimum requirements.
The evaluation weighted price at 40%, method of approach at 25%, product quality at 20%, and company experience and expertise at 15%. Donau Carbon received full marks in each scored category, while the other bidders received lower scores for price, delivery approach and experience; ARQ received the same product-quality score as the successful bidder.
Council approved the award 6-0, with Councilmember Keating absent. The contract authorises spending of up to $2.8 million during its initial two-year period, subject to annual budget approval.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Regular City Council Meeting, City of Tempe Water Utility Department