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Sole Source Standardization Approval and Purchase - Calgon Carbon Granular Activated Carbon Filter Media Replacement
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Clark, Union County Water - Water and Wastewater Division, Director, 704-296-4215
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Approve the standardization of Filtrasorb 820 carbon filter media, manufactured and installed exclusively by Calgon Carbon, as the County’s granular activated carbon as part of the water treatment process and 2) authorize the County Manager to i) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, ii) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and iii) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager’s discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Since February 2023, The Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant, Union County Water has operated four filters utilizing granular activated carbon (GAC) as part of the water treatment process. These filters were initially equipped with Filtrasorb 820, a high-activity GAC product manufactured by Calgon Carbon Corporation, as specified by the design-builder. Following several months of operation and thorough evaluation, Union County Water, Water and Wastewater Division, Water Treatment Department recommends standardizing the use of Filtrasorb 820 for continued operations.
Filtrasorb 820 is specifically engineered for potable water treatment applications and is under NSF/ANSI Standard 61 and AWWA B604. Based on operational experience and laboratory performance data collected over the past 2½ years, Filtrasorb 820 has proven to be the most effective solution for maintaining regulatory compliance and treatment efficiency across all four filters. It has consistently demonstrated reliable performance in removing organic contaminants, taste and odor compounds, and disinfection byproduct precursors.
Standardizing the use of Filtrasorb 820 will ensure operational consistency and support the long-term integrity of Union County’s water treatment systems. No other supplier provides this exact formulation nor can guarantee compatibility with the County’s existing filter infrastructure. Therefore, we are requesting the Board to approve Sole Source Standardization for Filtrasorb 820, manufactured and installed exclusively by Calgon Carbon Corporation. This request is in accordance with the Union County Procurement Policy, Section 3.8, Item (ii), a needed product is available from only one source of supply.
In FY26, Union County Water plans to complete two full carbon media replacements using Filtrasorb 820. Each filter replacement requires 2,280 cubic feet of media and will be installed by Calgon Carbon. The cost of each replacement is $180,370.00, resulting in a total planned expenditure of $360,740.00 for FY26.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding is available within the adopted FY2026 Water Treatment Department Budget to support the purchase amount of $360,740.00.