Cape Coral reverse osmosis plant set for $1 million in repairs

Four ‘busway’ components need to be replaced

Exposure to the sun may have contributed to a major component failure at the North Reverse Osmosis water plant, resulting in the need to replace all four "busways" at a cost of nearly $1 million.

The tally is nearly $200,000 less than it could have been and the expenditure is needed to prevent a major plant emergency similar to one experienced at the city facility in 2014.

Cape Coral City Council on Monday awarded the work to Cogburn Brothers of Jacksonville, the lowest and only responsive responsible bidder, officials said.

The consent agenda resolution states the company will provide construction services for modifications to the power distribution system at the plant for $898,500 plus a 10 percent contingency of $89,850 for a total of $988,350.

A small portion will be reimbursed through a warranty. The rest of the money will come from the city's Water and Sewer Fund.

At Monday's meeting, Public Utilities Director Jeff Pearson said the busway's power run for the plant failed and needs to be replaced before complete failure.