TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
Howard G. Richards, PE, Manager - Capital Projects
FROM: Paola Talavera, Associate Engineer
DATE: January 29, 2026
SUBJECT: Approval for Process Waste Drain Line Replacement at Headworks Project at Gifford Water Reclamation Facility, IRCDUS Project ID 22.25.508
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BACKGROUND
Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) owns and operates the Gifford Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) located at 3550 49th Street. The WRF includes an internal process drain line that supports daily operations and maintenance activities throughout the facility by conveying wastewater from equipment drains, tank draining, and washdown activities back into the treatment process. The drain line serves as a critical function in plant operations. Recent inspection has determined that the existing drain line is in poor structural condition.
ANALYSIS
The WRF drain line was originally scheduled for rehabilitation using cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining. Funding for this task was incumbered in Purchase Order (PO) 101876 to Hinterland Group, Inc. (Hinterland) for $56,530.00 under an existing continuing services agreement. The scope of service was based on assumption that the existing pipe was structurally sound enough to support lining.
During the inspection and pre-construction evaluation, Hinterland determined that the condition of the drain line has significantly deteriorated beyond earlier assumptions. Multiple sections exhibit advanced corrosion and material loss, including areas where the pipe wall has worn completely through. Due to this level of degradation, CIPP lining is no longer a viable or safe option, and full replacement of the affected segments is required to restore system integrity and maintain reliable plant operations. Continu...
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