The village of Niles Board of Trustees hired Strand Associates to develop an improvement plan for the village sewers.
Under the terms of the contract, the company will examine the village sewers and determine its strengths and weaknesses. Using that information, it will develop a plan to fix the existing issues, make improvements and otherwise makes sure the sewer system will keep working smoothly. The contract cost Niles $96,520 which is $6,520 more than originally budgeted, board documents show.
As the documents submitted to the Village Board explain, the actual repairs and improvements would be a separate project. The village does expect that the plan will help obtain water project grants from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the board documents, the contract has been in the works since the beginning of the year. The village went out to bid in February.
“The Water System Master Plan shall evaluate the village of Niles’ current and future water demands and capital needs,” the bid documents say. “But have an emphasis on the maintenance and capital improvements needed to maintain the current system. In addition, the plan shall assess the village’s water rate structure to ensure proper funding for current and future capital and operational costs.”
According to the board documents, a total of three firms bid for the project.
“It was determined Strand Associates demonstrated the best knowledge, understanding and experience required for this project,” the document said. “[Village] staff finds Strand Associates’ proposal will best meet the needs of he village of Niles as we move forward to improve efficiencies and service levels to the residents of Niles.”
On April 28, the Village Board considered whether to follow Public Works’ recommendation.
During the meeting, Mary Anderson, the Niles Department of Public Works director, said that the project will help the village residents and businesses save money in the long run. The plan would help the village fix sewer leaks, ensuring that water wouldn’t be wasted. The plan would also pave the way for water meter upgrades, which can also save money.
“The older [the meters] are, the less accurate they,” she said.
The board documents mentioned another benefit. Once the plan is finished, the village would be in better position to obtain funding for actual repairs.
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“This Master Plan is a necessary element for the village to apply for IEPA revolving loan funds for future water projects,” the documents said.
After a short discussion, the Village Board unanimously approved the contract.
Igor Studenkov is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.