Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project with Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) to assess the biology and water quality of the Scioto River, Olentangy River and other area waterways. The Assessment project will support the Division of Sewerage and Drainage’s (DOSD) continued compliance with the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The contract will run from the date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including December 31, 2023. This project will provide information about the health of area waterways to measure water quality improvements resulting from the City’s ongoing operations and capital improvement program (CIP) projects under Blueprint Columbus and at the City’s WWTPs.
The project includes a biological and habitat assessment, which includes fish, habitat and macroinvertebrate sampling, and a chemical assessment. The latter includes large river nutrient parameters consistent with the approach used in regulatory rulemaking and additional parameters commonly included in the assessment of municipal wastewater and urban stormwater effects. This assessment also includes chemical sampling of nutrients, metals, toxics, organics and demand parameters and will include deployment of four (4) datasondes between mid-May and mid-October and assess the feasibility of installing permanent locations.
Midwest Biodiversity Institute will prepare and submit final reports consistent with the standards under the Ohio Credible Data Law and Regulations.
This ordinance is submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code for not-for-profit service contracts.
SUPPLIER:
Midwest Biodiversity Institute FID #31-1559845, DAX #005569, Expires April 16, 2022.
Midwest Biodiversity I...
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