The State Water Resources Control Board adopted the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR), including Monitoring and Reporting. Under the WDR requirements; a Sewer System Management Plan has been developed to provide best management practices by implementing programs that prevent or minimize sanitary sewer overflows. As part of this plan, District staff began hiring SmartCover Systems to install a total of (15) sewer monitoring systems throughout the City at locations with a history of sanitary sewer overflows. The SmartCover technology provides continuous real-time data transmitted through two-way wireless remote sensors and is viewed on a web-based interface. When wastewater levels rise above average conditions, the sensors send a high water alarm to District staff. Early detection of potential sanitary sewer overflows though this remote monitoring technology allows District staff to respond quickly and potentially prevent sanitary sewer overflows before they occur.  Since these sewer monitoring systems have been in place, they have proven to save the District fines, labor costs for emergency employee call-outs (overtime), and other liability. 

The District has an existing service agreement with SmartCover Systems in the amount of $50,000 that expires on October 31, 2023. The agreement covers monitoring services, software support, data storage, remote alarm management services, automatic upgrades, continued satellite connectivity, battery replacement and on-side repairs as needed. District staff recommends adding an additional (7) sewer monitoring systems at this time to provide better coverage spread throughout the District. Additional sewer monitoring systems may be added on an as-needed basis, should sewer capacity levels change. The new, five-year agreement will cover up to $100,000 annually. SmartCover Systems is considered a sole source vendor and allows the forgoing of the bidding process due to no other known manufacturer or vendor that provides this type of equipment for wireless, manhole lid mounted, failsafe communication monitoring of level within sanitary sewer collection systems.

The cost of the agreement is not to exceed $100,000 annually, with an option to renew the agreement for an additional four (4) years, up to a total of five (5) years.  The cost will be funded from the adopted Sanitary District operating budget.  There is no impact to the General Fund.

• Approve the attached agreement with Hadronex, Inc. dba SmartCover Systems for the sewer monitoring devices and maintenance services in the amount not-to-exceed $100,000 annually, with an option to renew the agreement for an additional four (4) years, up to a total of five (5) years; and

• Authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the Sanitary District, make minor modifications as appropriate thereto, and approve annual renewals.