These standby generators are being sought by the utilities department following directives from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Utilities Director Michael Thane said during the council's Oct. 12 packet briefing. In accordance with Senate Bill 3, which required an emergency plan for all Texas utilities, the city conducted an evaluation of its water distribution system and concluded that three standby generators were needed to prepare for any future extreme weather events such as February's Winter Storm Uri.
"All three [generators] are on the south side of Round Rock," Thane said. "Our water plants on the north side are on a high point; water drains to the lower part [where] downtown and Brushy Creek is. We need to make sure on the south side we're not vulnerable."
These generators will assist in providing consistent access to water for Round Rock utility customers in the event of a power outage at the southeast elevated pump station, south 81 pump station and southeast ground pump station, according to city documents. Thane described Round Rock as being "shaped like a bowl," with the combination of gravity and these pump generators helping to maintain water flow throughout the city in the event of an outage.
Under the contract, Gupta & Associates will provide project engineering including final design, advertisement and construction phase services for $159,051, with an added $51,135 special services fee. According to city documents, "these services cannot be used unless deemed necessary during the project and must be approved by utility staff." This totals $210,186 for the contract, which will be paid through the self-financed water construction fund.
When it comes time to purchase the three generators, Thane told the council that the total may be in the ballpark of $1.2 million for all three.
