Pipe Procurement Managing Risk and Getting What You Want

The Duck Creek Interceptor Sewer System (the Project) was implemented by the City of Garland, Texas as a result of the recommendations outlined by its 1995 “Wastewater Management Plan” and 2001 “Wastewater Treatment Strategic Business Plan”. The main purposes of the project include transferring raw wastewater flows in excess of 24-mgd from the Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to the Duck Creek WWTP for treatment; conveying untreated wastewater sludge from the Duck Creek WWTP to the Rowlett Creek WWTP for dewatering; and relieving peak wet weather flows in an existing 48-inch interceptor sewer along Duck Creek. The project design was completed in early 2007 and is currently under construction at the time this paper was presented. This paper presents an overview of the challenges and approaches of specifying newer generation piping materials while still complying with the bidding requirements of municipal agencies, and keeping the risk exposure on the contractor and pipe supplier.