Reservoir Standby Generator Replacement
Project Status
Click here to see status updates
Project Details/Neighborhood
- Various locations on Mercer Island
Background
A water system must have sufficient capacity to supply water at proper pressure throughout the distribution system. The majority (75%) of the City’s water system relies on 5 booster pumps, located at the reservoir, for maintaining this pressure. In the event of a power outage, the reservoir’s generator must provide enough power to operate the booster pump station and provide backup power to the emergency well. The existing generator is approaching the end of its useful life and the availability of spare parts is limited.
Description
This project will replace the existing generator, currently located inside the reservoir booster pump station, and relocate the generator outside the building in a self-contained enclosure. This new configuration will provide more efficient operations and reduce noise output when the system is running.
Project Timeline
Design 2021-2022
Construction 2023-2024
Contact
George Fletcher, City of Mercer Island Project Manager: george.fletcher@mercerisland.gov
https://www.mercerisland.gov/WU0119
Status Updates
October 2024
This project is currently about 85% complete. Installation of final electrical components and the associated switch-over from the old generator to the new one is scheduled for January 2025. In the next several weeks, landscape restoration work around the new generator site will be performed.
September 2024
McClure and Sons and their subcontractor, Dalton Electric, are continuing preparations for the startup of the new generator next week. After that, they must wait until the emergency pump replacement work is completed before they can proceed with moving the pump station to back-up power and replacing all the electrical panels. Once the new electrical panels and switch gear are installed, the new generator can be brought on-line, and the old generator can be removed from within the building.
July 2024
Photo Caption: 500 KW Generator Install
The new 500-Kilowatt standby generator for the Reservoir Pump Station was recently installed at its new location. Currently, the City’s contractor and electrician are awaiting the arrival of the final parts needed to complete the electrical system installation and generator connections. The new standby generator should be operational by the end of 2024
May 19, 2024
Photo:
- Generator pad forms and rebar
- Pouring generator equipment pads
Concrete was poured this week for the equipment pads for the new generator, load bank, and fuel tank. After the concrete cures, the forms will be stripped off next week. Electrical work continues on the various conduit runs into the pump station building. Delivery of the new generator is anticipated in June.
April 19, 2024
The rockery relocation is now complete; concrete formwork was completed yesterday for the new fuel tank, load bank, and generator concrete pads. The next steps include subgrade, forms, and rebar inspections followed by Dalton Electric installing conduit stubs before pouring concrete.
January 25, 2024
This project had been on hold due to a grade conflict with the underground power feed into the reservoir site. PSE crews were on site the week of January 15th to lower their conduit and replace old wiring. This work required a planned power outage for the reservoir site and back-up generator power was used for that day. The City’s contractor, McClure and Sons, will now be able to complete their grading and concrete pad construction for the new generator. Project completion is anticipated in June 2024.
December 2023
This project is currently on hold pending PSE crews lowering their power conduit that is currently in conflict with the designed rock wall. Once this is performed, McClure and Sons will return to complete the rockery, pour the concrete pads, and install new electrical conduits from the generator pad to the reservoir building.
September 5th 2023
The contractor McClure and Son’s and their sub, Dalton Electric, will perform conduit relocation for the City’s emergency well power and communications line. This requires the emergency well to be disconnected on Wednesday and restored within the same day. They will be working within the reservoir property and there will be no traffic impacts.
July 2023
Notice to Proceed for the contractor, McClure and Sons is scheduled for July 19, 2023. Initial work on-site incudes some tree removal, clearing/grading, and rockery work to make room for the generator and related equipment. Trees will be replaced on-site following the completion of the construction.
February 2023
The construction contract was awarded to McClure and Sons Inc. at the November 15, 2022, City Council meeting. There are long lead times on items such as the diesel generator, transfer switches, and electrical components. Construction is expected to begin in August 2023.
October 2022
Construction bids for this project were due on October 20th. Staff received five contractor bids, and two bids are below the $1,245,000.00 engineer’s estimate. The award of a construction contract is scheduled for the November 15th Council meeting, with construction occurring in 2023.
April 2022
In March, the City received the updated plans and specifications from the design consultant, Murraysmith.
February 2022
The City’s consultant, Murraysmith, has been in contact with the generator manufacturer and was informed that industry lead times look to be at least 40 weeks for a generator of this size. City staff met with the consultant to discuss options and will look into pre-purchasing the equipment ahead of construction.
November 2021
The City has decided to add another component to this reservoir generator design which will allow for a direct hookup during annual load bank tests. Work on this is anticipated to start later in November.
September 2021
In June, the city’s consultant Murraysmith provided the 100% design plans and specifications. City staff are working to review these and will reconvene later this fall to determine when to advertise the project for construction bids.
Project Location (2 MB)