East Bay Stormwater Improvement Project

The East Bay Stormwater Improvement Project in Lakeland, Florida, targets enhancing stormwater management for East Bay Pond and its impact on Lake Mirror and Lake Parker, two impaired water bodies with existing nutrient reduction plans. The project involves installing a manufactured blend of biosorption activated media (BAM), designed to reduce nutrient concentrations in stormwater runoff by approximately 45%, a substantial improvement over the current underdrain system. This system addresses issues related to complex discharges into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and mitigates nutrient pollution that affects both surface water and groundwater pathways, ultimately protecting the local aquatic ecosystems. The project reflects a significant environmental upgrade aimed at curbing nutrient loads, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute to water quality degradation. Contract administration and compliance emphasize adherence to stringent indemnification obligations and ethical labor standards as mandated by the City of Lakeland and Florida statutes. Contractors and consultants engaged in the project must enter indemnification agreements protecting the city from liabilities linked to their work, including waivers of subrogation rights and releases upon final payment. Additionally, entities must submit affidavits affirming compliance with anti-human trafficking laws, ensuring responsible labor practices. The administrative framework includes safety evaluations and annual audits of contractors’ safety programs, focusing on compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) standards, accident statistics, and training practices to maintain high safety performance. Communication and coordination are managed through designated contacts in the Public Works Lakes & Stormwater office of Lakeland, providing oversight and ensuring project objectives are met within the regulatory, ethical, and operational parameters set forth in the solicitation.