Fort Myers approves $1.9m change order for wastewater grit removal following unexpected accumulation

Fort Myers approves $1.9m change order for wastewater grit removal following unexpected accumulationThe City Council authorized increased spending for primary treatment and digester blower improvements at the South and Central Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities after draining tanks revealed up to eight feet of grit.

The council approved Amendment No. 4 with Gulfpoint Construction Company, increasing the total project cost from $35.4 million to $37.3 million.

Director of Public Utilities Jason Sciandra noted that crews found approximately eight feet of grit in the tanks, which was two to three times the anticipated amount.

The council also approved a $310,000 annual increase to its biosolids hauling contract with Merrell Bros. Inc., bringing the yearly total to $2.36 million.

In separate utility business, the council voted to hold stormwater assessment rates flat for the upcoming fiscal year while a stormwater master plan is being developed.

The Fort Myers City Council has approved a $1.9 million change order for primary treatment and digester blower improvements at the city's South and Central Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities, driven by the discovery of substantially higher-than-expected grit levels. The amendment with Gulfpoint Construction Company increases the total project cost for the excess grit removal from $35.4 million to $37.3 million. According to Director of Public Utilities Jason Sciandra, the need for the change order became apparent once the facility's tanks were drained for the work. "We anticipated a certain amount of grit to be in there," Sciandra told the council. "We found about eight feet of grit in those tanks, which is two or three times as much as anticipated." Sciandra clarified to the council that while the project is not tied to a state consent order, it is a necessary operational improvement for the facilities. In a related wastewater action, the council approved an estimated $310,000 annual increase to its yearly biosolids hauling agreement for both the Central and South Wastewater Treatment Facilities. The amendment with Merrell Bros. Inc. raises the contract's value from $2.05 million to $2.36 million per year. Separately, the council opted not to increase stormwater assessment rates for the upcoming fiscal year, keeping the fee at $2.16 per month per standard impervious unit, which represents roughly 500 square feet of residential space. Financial Services Director Christine Tenney noted that the city is currently developing a new stormwater master plan to identify system needs citywide. Until that roadmap is complete, the enterprise fund's rates will remain flat, despite broader budget pressures and proposed property tax increases facing the city's general fund.