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ASPA focuses on asset management for Water & Wastewater projects

The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for qualified firms to submit bid proposals for the “Nuuuli Water Tank Rehabilitation” project which, according to ASPA Executive Director Utu Abe Malae, “is part of ASPA’s Water Tank Preventive Maintenance program”.

 

In an email to Samoa News over the weekend, William Spitzenberg, ASPA’s Chief Water Engineer explained that the semi-autonomous agency hired Iron Ridge Civil Solutions (IRCS) to perform an in-depth inspection of all its welded steel tanks which include the 500,000-gallon tank located in Nuuuli.

 

“The tank was built in 1965 and is in need of major rehabilitation work,” he said, adding that the Scope of Work includes the recommendations by IronRidge Civil Solutions for the rehabilitation/refurbishment of the water tank.

 

“This work includes the replacement of corroded bolts, repair of the cathodic protection system, repair and re-coating of the interior and exterior of the tank roof, floor and walls, and other appurtenant works,” Spitzenberg explained.

 

“This project will help extend the life of the Nuuuli welded steel tank for another 10 to 20 years and save the American Samoa Government the high cost of replacing the tank.”  

 

The cost for this project will be determined through the competitive bid process and will be funded locally.

 

A one-time pre bid meeting was scheduled for yesterday at 8:30 a.m. and all submissions should be turned in to ASPA no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

 

ASPA reserves the right to reject any and/or all bid submittals and to waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted bid proposals that are not in the best interests of the American Samoa Power Authority or the public.

 

ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER

 

Also at this time, ASPA is accepting proposals for the “Asset Management Plan for ASPA Water and Wastewater”.

 

The closing date is no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, November 28, 2014.

 

When asked for details, ASPA Executive Director Utu Abe Malae explained via email that ASPA's aging water and wastewater infrastructure is deteriorating, and an asset management program will determine the best approach to rehabilitate and replace the aging infrastructure. 

 

“This Asset Management Plan will allow ASPA to better understand the condition of its water and wastewater assets, current and future deficiencies and needs, and the financial resources necessary to rehabilitate and replace assets when necessary,” Utu said.

 

According to him, the numerous benefits of an asset management plan include:

 

Establishing appropriate budgets,

Increased system knowledge,

Identify system elements vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,

Increased asset life when appropriate maintenance is performed,

More efficient allocation of capital funds,

Compliance with new regulations,

Reduced overall costs,

Improved system reliability/security,

Reduced service interruptions, and

More efficient maintenance and replacement activities

 

The cost for this project will be determined through a competitive bid process and funding will be provided through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

 

OTHER ASPA WASTEWATER PROJECTS

 

In other news from ASPA, the five-phase East Side Villages (ESV) wastewater collection system project is progressing well.

 

The project includes improvements and upgrades to the existing clarigesters which will help improve the functionality of the overall sewer collection system in terms of capacity and the flow process, especially with the addition of the 600 homes after the completion of phase five. Funded by the EPA, the first phase of the project is approximately 99.5% complete and costs $2,093,039.

 

The second phase includes work on the 20” HDPE force main from the Utulei wastewater treatment plant to the Malaloa Lift Station.

 

This, according to information from Utu, will improve the flow capacity of the Utulei collection system and will connect the flow from the ESV to the Utulei wastewater treatment plant.

 

Fletcher Construction was awarded the contract for Phases 2 and 4 and the project, which has just begun, is about 9% complete according to Utu. The cost for Phase 2 is $3.8 million.

 

Phase 3 includes modifications and improvements to the existing Malaloa Lift Station and connects homes along the east side of Pago Harbor to the ASPA sewer collection system.

 

The price tag for this phase: $1,273,630.15

 

Phase 4 includes the 12” HDPE force main from the Malaloa Lift Station to Leloaloa and costs $3,819,870.50

 

The fifth and final phase includes the installation of six new lift stations, force mains, and services to serve approximately 600 homes in Leloaloa, Aua, and Onesosopo.

 

The design for this portion of the project is complete and will be split into two separate phases for a total amount of $15 million.

 

According to Utu, phase 5 “will help protect our groundwater aquifers and prevent any further contamination through the collection of wastewater through the central system and the removal of cesspools.”