Palm Bay advances $500k sludge pond rehabilitation ahead of deep injection well testing

Palm Bay advances $500k sludge pond rehabilitation ahead of deep injection well testingThe Florida utility is utilizing a regional piggyback contract to expedite valve replacements and excavation at its North Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to restore full operational flexibility.

The City Council approved a $501,120 contract with Cathcart Construction Company for pond cleaning and valve replacement.

A failed valve closed off access to the sludge pond system, limiting the plant's biosolids storage capacity.

The expedited work is required to support a mandatory five-year Deep Injection Well Mechanical Integrity Test and prepare for hurricane season.

Funding for the project is drawn from the city's Utilities Renewal and Replacement Fund.

The City of Palm Bay, Florida, is fast-tracking critical maintenance at its North Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (NRWWTP) after a key valve in the sludge pond system failed in the closed position. The failure has restricted the facility's biosolids management operations, preventing the full utilization of available pond storage capacity. To restore full service, the City Council approved a $501,120 contract with Cathcart Construction Company - Florida, LLC on July 2. The scope of work includes replacing the failed valve, clearing and grubbing, excavating accumulated material within the pond and borrow areas, and completing site restoration. Funding is being sourced from the city's Utilities Renewal and Replacement Fund. City staff emphasized the need to expedite the project ahead of the approaching hurricane season and an upcoming five-year Deep Injection Well Mechanical Integrity Test (MIT). The MIT requires the plant to have maximum operational flexibility and adequate storage capacity to ensure uninterrupted wastewater treatment during the testing process. To accelerate the timeline, the Utilities Department opted against a new solicitation. Instead, the city utilized a cooperative purchasing mechanism, piggybacking on an existing City of Altamonte Springs contract for citywide infrastructure and site restoration, which remains valid through April 2028.