The sewer leak was discovered by a Department of Public Works Field Services crew during regular maintenance and monitoring of the Borregas Avenue sewer lines with a video camera system.  Not only was wastewater leaking into the ground, wastewater could also potentially enter the storm drain pipe and flow to the Bay.

Section 2.08.190 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code authorizes emergency procurements in excess of $50,000 without formal Council action "if there is an urgent necessity to do so for the preservation of life, health or property".   In this case, leaking wastewater posed a hazard to both nearby residents and the Bay ecosystem.

Public Works staff quickly developed bid specifications; and an emergency Request for Proposals was sent to six local pipeline contractors on September 5, 2003.  Proposals were opened on September 15, 2003.  Two responsive proposals were received.

Bidder	Total Bid
Engineer's Estimate	$50,000
Preston Pipeline, Inc., of Milpitas	$69,630
Vulcan Construction & Maintenance, Inc., of Fresno	$88,925
As Preston Pipeline was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, construction contracts were prepared, signed and executed by the City Manager on September 18, 2003.  Construction has been completed.

Total cost to the City was:
Construction Contract	$69,630
Project contingency Actual contingency required was $1,329.	NTE   6,000
Funds were available in Infrastructure Project #822780 - Borregas Sanitary Trunk Sewer Replacement.