To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS FROM BRENNTAG PACIFIC, LLC FOR A COST OF $55,393
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends approval of a payment to Brenntag Pacific LLC (Brenntag) for water treatment chemicals required to service the Seaside Lagoon during the 2026 summer season. The City Council previously approved an annual expense of $65,000 for the purchase of chemicals for the facility. Due to the rising cost of chemicals in 2026, and an increased quantity of chemicals required during the 2026 operating season, approval of an additional payment of $55,393.43 is required.
BACKGROUND
In order to operate Seaside Lagoon as a public swimming facility, the City is required to treat the water that flows in and out of the Lagoon. The County Department of Public Health requires that the water used in the Lagoon be treated with chlorine for human health and swimming safety purposes and the Regional Water Quality Control Board requires that the chlorine be chemically removed from the water before it is discharged from the facility and returned to the ocean.
Responsibility for maintenance and operations of the Seaside Lagoon is shared between the Community Services and Public Works Departments. One of the significant operational costs is the purchase of water treatment chemicals to maintain the Lagoon as a public swimming facility. Several factors complicate estimating the quantity of chemicals needed for each season, including weather variability, source water chemistry, the volume of swimmers, as well as the changing requirements of the regulatory agencies that govern operational requirements. To aid staff’s ability to respond to these variables, a $65,000 annual purchase order is approved and set up at the start of each season and spent as required.
Due to the rising cost of water treatment chemicals resulting from national supply chain shortages in the industry and the additional consumption of chemicals needed for the busier and warmer season, the total cost in 2026 exceeded the initial approved amount. Accordingly, staff recommends approval of an additional payment for chemical purchases from Brenntag to pay the final invoices for the 2026 season.
There will be no additional chemical invoices in FY 2026-27 for Seaside Lagoon, as the facility is closed for renovations. Selection of chemicals and chemical vendors for the new facility will be identified when the Seaside Lagoon reopens in the future with new infrastructure.
COORDINATION
Public Works Department and Community Services Department coordinated this report with the Financial Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the purchase of the water treatment chemicals at a total cost of $55,393.43 is available in the Public Works Department’s Seaside Lagoon Maintenance Operating Budget. No additional appropriation is required to complete the purchase.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager