Memorandum
Date: March 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors, serving as the Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District
From: Dr. Pawan Upadhyay, Water Resources Director
Subject: (Sitting as the Board of Directors Lake County Watershed Protection District) Award the “Improving Restoration Efforts at Clear Lake with In-Lake Management of Phosphorus” Project in the amount of $3,361,116.38 and Authorize the Chair to Sign and the Water Resources Director to execute the Contract between the Watershed Protection District and EutroPHIX.
Executive Summary:
The Lake County Water Resources Department is requesting the Board of Supervisors, acting as the Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District (District), to award the “Improving Restoration Efforts at Clear Lake with In-Lake Management of Phosphorus” Project in the amount of $3,361,116.38 to EutroPHIX. Grant funding for this project was made available in January 2026, and due to the unique nature of the technology, the project qualifies as a sole-source procurement based on the original EutroPHIX proposal.
The aim of “Improving Restoration Efforts at Clear Lake with In-Lake Management of Phosphorus” project is to reduce internal phosphorus loading through the application of lanthanum-modified bentonite, which will bind sediment phosphorus and help mitigate harmful algal blooms (HABs). The project includes sediment and water sampling, data analysis and synthesis, community outreach and media engagement. The project supports long-term water quality improvement in Clear Lake and builds on the County’s science-based management strategies.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☒ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☒ Clear Lake
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested? 38.2 (2)
How long has Agreement been in place? NA
When was purchase last rebid? NA
Reason for request to waive bid? Attached ‘EutroPHIX_Sole Source Statement’
Recommended Action: (Sitting as the Board of Directors Lake County Watershed Protection District) Award the “Improving Restoration Efforts at Clear Lake with In-Lake Management of Phosphorus” Project in the amount of $3,361,116.38 and Authorize the Chair to Sign and the Water Resources Director to execute the Contract between the Watershed Protection District and EutroPHIX.