Title
Emergency Repair of the Wedgewood Forcemain Discharge Manholes and Piping
History
On Monday, April 6, Public Works crews responded to a report of water coming out of a manhole at 13757 Southwest Highway. The initial investigation found that a manhole that accepts the discharge from the Wedgewood forcemain had collapsed. Public Works crews were able to slow the flow from the forcemain by diverting the flow to an older emergency forcemain. After further investigation, the discharge pipe from the manhole also failed, because it was filled with stone blocking any flow through the pipe. Public Works crews immediately started bypass pumping around the collapsed pipe to contain the remaining flow through the forcemain so it would not overflow into the creek.
When hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of raw sewage, mixes with oxygen in the discharge manhole, it creates a condensation that is very acidic and attacks the concrete of the manhole.
Due to the size and location of the discharge manholes and sewer pipes, Airy’s Inc. of Joliet, Illinois, was contacted to make emergency repairs to the manhole and related sewer pipes. The Village has utilized Airy’s Inc. for emergency repair work for over the last twenty (20) years, and their pricing has routinely beat any other contractor. As the Village’s primary emergency response contractor for utility work, Airy’s routinely postpones other customer’s work to address the Village’s emergencies.
Since they were called in, Airy’s has repaired the collapsed manhole and replaced the section of sewer main that collapsed. They have also televised the sewer discharge piping from the Wedgewood forcemain discharge manhole to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) interceptor manhole. The approximate length is six hundred twenty (620) feet. That inspection found that a pipe is in danger of collapsing squarely underneath the railroad tracks used by the commuter rail company, Metra.
Public Works determined that if this pipe failed, it would be catastrophic to the Village and Metra, up to and including the risk of loss of life and significant endangerment of public safety. Public Works instructed Airy’s to reline the five (5) manholes with a fiberglass manhole liner. Hydrogen sulfide has no effect on fiberglass. Also, Public Works instructed Airy’s to reline the sewer mains from the Wedgewood forcemain discharge manhole to the MWRD interceptor manhole to prevent future sewer collapses. Airy’s received quotes from three (3) separate lining companies.
The total cost of the repair by Airy’s for the emergency sewer repairs is broken down into four (4) categories:
Initial emergency response: $67,855.20
Estimated manhole fiberglass lining cost: $148,495.86
Estimated sewer main lining cost: $138,416.25
Contingency for unknowns: $20,000.00
Total cost not to exceed: $374,767.31
This price is a do not exceed price. However, the final price will be less than this total. This cost includes the new lining material, fiberglass manhole liners, stone, full restoration of the area, along with specialized equipment like a Vactor truck, excavator, trench boxes, and support vehicles. The pricing was evaluated/compared from similar past work related to emergency sanitary sewer repairs with other contractors, and deemed fair and reasonable. Due to the time sensitive nature of the repair and to get the repairs accomplished as quickly as possible, Public Works Staff also assisted in the repairs to keep costs as low as possible.
This agenda item is being considered by the Committee of the Whole and the Village Board of Trustees on the same night.
Financial Impact
Sufficient funds are available in accounts 5008160-443800 and 5008160-570500 to cover the cost for these emergency repairs.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to recommend to the Village Board to approve authorizing payment to Airy’s, Inc. in the amount of $354,767.31 plus a $20,000.00 contingency for a total not to exceed price of $374,767.31.