Port Orange waives bidding for treatment plant pumps, advances utility operations contract

Port Orange waives bidding for treatment plant pumps, advances utility operations contractThe Florida municipality has greenlit equipment upgrades for its water and wastewater facilities and approved a contract amendment with Wharton-Smith, Inc. to advance its Public Utilities Field Operations Project.

City Council unanimously approved waiving formal bidding requirements to procure vertical turbine pumps for its water and wastewater treatment facilities.

Amendment No. 2 to the AIA Agreement with Wharton-Smith, Inc. was authorized for the Public Utilities Field Operations Project.

The utility infrastructure items were passed 5-0 as part of the August 4 consent agenda.

The City of Port Orange, Florida, has expedited equipment procurement for its municipal treatment facilities and advanced a key operations facility contract following a unanimous City Council vote on August 4, 2026. Without debate, council members approved a request to waive formal bidding requirements for the purchase of vertical turbine pumps. The pumps are slated for installation at both the city's water and wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, the council authorized Amendment No. 2 to the AIA Agreement (CA8464) with Wharton-Smith, Inc. The amendment supports the ongoing Public Utilities Field Operations Project. Both utility infrastructure items were passed 5-0 as part of the council's consent agenda. The project approvals coincided with a municipal proclamation designating August 2026 as Water Professionals Month, recognizing the city's alignment with Florida's Clean Waterways Act. Accepting the proclamation, Steve Parnell of the Public Utilities Department noted that the city employs more than 60 water professionals who work around the clock to manage the production, distribution, and treatment of the municipality's water resources.