Water Treatment Bid Requests to Ensure No Next Flint Michigan
Late last week, I happened to watch a television program where environmental activist, Erin Brockovich, weighed in regarding the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. As that conversation progressed, among a myriad of thoughts, it led to me consider, “While it’s obvious that Flint failed, what’s going on elsewhere?” Regardless of your politics, certainly everyone will agree that Flint is a dangerous situation and corrective and preventative actions needs to be taken…well, a long time ago.
I convened a research team and, as we reviewed bid activity for the past 365 days, it came as little surprise that the activity level for water treatment-related bids from Flint, Michigan was “minimal”. Minimal, as in, one bid request that is somewhere amid the water treatment spectrum.
Elsewhere in the United States and Canada, other government, public sector entities have been comparably busy when it comes to the purchase of water treatment services, solutions, and products. In the same 365 day period, there were 483 bid requests from governments in the U.S. and Canada. Make note, that number is isolated to “water treatment” specifically in the bid title. To be clear, there are a myriad of other similar, applicable bids.
The Flint drinking water contamination mess actually began in April, 2014. It was around that time, the terrible decision was put into effect to switch the city’s drinking water source. On January 14th, 2016, President Obama declared a state of emergency and ordered federal aid to supplement the state and local response efforts. As reported by Reuters, there are substantial costs involved with making the necessary repairs to Flint’s water treatment infrastructure, ‘Cost to fix Flint water infrastructure could reach $1.5 billion: reports’.
Based on recent reports, it is apparent that those responsible for the contamination and resulting health concerns will be held accountable. Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that state and federal officials are preparing to investigate and identify the culprits. It is my hope, justice will be served and help will be provided to those in need.
Sample Active Bids/RFPs
Water Treatment
To review these bid requests, for information on the industry, or to compare your current bid service, contact us at 888.808.5356 or visit BidPrime.