R. Brent Smith, Director of Technical Services

Andrew Hamilton, Drinking Water Operations Manager

Approve the purchase of 27 HACH TU 5300 turbidimeter instruments and required accessories from sole source vendor HACH Company in an amount not to exceed $93,000.

In 2018, the Drinking Water Operations Division was made aware that the current HACH 1720E turbidimeter instrumentation model was going to be obsolete by 2021.  These are process critical instruments and are required to maintain compliance with State and Federal drinking water regulations as they measure the effectiveness of the drinking water treatment process on a continuous basis.  The new TU 5300 instruments are on the forefront of technology to protect public health.  Based on the information provided by HACH, staff purchased and tested the new HACH TU 5300 model in order to make an informed decision based on performance and maintenance costs.  The new replacement TU 5300 laser turbidimeters have been found to have lower maintenance as they are self-cleaning, automatically adjust for the correct sample flow, and are easier to maintain. All TU 5300 parts are readily available, and service through HACH has been excellent.

The initial purchase, installation, and test period of the new TU 5300 units, installed at the Foothill Plant 2 Water Treatment Plant, provided 1720E spare parts so maintenance staff could continue supporting the older units.  As the Drinking Water Operations Division moved toward the 2021 budget year the decision was made to retrofit the rest of the Foothill Water Treatment Plant, which includes Plant 1 and the Distribution Pump Station, and the Bowman Water Treatment Plant.  There is a required 27 units needed to change out those sites.  This retrofit will also provide Drinking Water Operations with more spare parts and allow the division to hold off the final purchase to retrofit the remaining facilities until 2022.