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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/25/2007 - Special WiliTiRR VI.5IRIII WATERAUTHORny Western Virginia Water Authority Roanoke City Council Roanoke County Board of Supervisors September 20, 2007 9:00 AM This is a joint meeting of the City of Roanoke, the County of Roanoke, and the Western Virginia Water Authority. The meeting is being held at the Regional Water Pollution Control Plant, 1502 Brownlee Avenue, S.E., Roanoke, Virginia 1) WELCOME: Donald L. Davis, Chairman Western Virginia Water Authority 2) CALL TO ORDER: Western Virginia Water Authority City of Roanoke County of Roanoke 3) OVERVIEW OF PREVIOUS TWELVE MONTH'S OPERATIONS: a) Water Operations and Capital Projects b) Wastewater Services and Capital Projects 4) STATUS OF RATE EQUALIZATION PLAN 5) OVERVIEW OF IMPROVEMENTS AT THE REGIONAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT 6) OTHER BUSINESS 7) ADJOURN/RECESS to 10:00 AM Rededication of Regional Water Pollution Control Plant: Western Virginia Water Authority City of Roanoke County of Roanoke WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY Summary of Projects Water Operations Wastewater Services Water Operations Division Highlights WESTERN VIRGINI4 WATER AUTHORITY The Water Operations Division of the Western Virginia Water Authority has continued to improve the operation and distribution of quality water services to our customers while making significant advances in the areas of safety and technology. Water Treatment Improvements . Cross-training of operators at our treatment facilities has optimized operations and scheduling . Implementation by Carvins Cove staff of systems recommended as part of the treatability study including: . Installation of an oxygenation system for the Carvins Cove reservoir has increased the dissolved oxygen concentration at the bottom of the reservoir, resulting in improved water quality . Installation of a chlorine dioxide feed system at Carvins Cove water treatment facility to oxidize dissolved organic compounds, as well as iron and manganese. We are now consistently well under the limits set by the regulations for THMs and HAASs. . Conversion of the coagulant feed system at Carvins Cove treatment facility from alum to ferric sulfate to prevent possible pitting of copper lines in some situations . Installation of electric actuators on the raw water flow at the Carvins Cove treatment facility to facilitate the starting and stopping of facility's operations . Modification of hours at the Falling Creek water treatment plant to more effectively match system demand with water production rates · Evaluation of existing processes and equipment at the Falling Creek water treatment plant in order to develop recommendations for modernization of the treatment technology to improve plant operation ~r,,-, I"'!'" ~- - " r , '. f' b,.,,~, ':. ..-m~ ~~'.''''.' ...'~ .'.- . ..~ . Installation of Closed Circuit TV surveillance systems at Spring Hollow and Carvins Cove treatment facilities . A digital video management and surveillance system was installed at the Carvins Cove Water Treatment Facility. The system provides a higher degree of security at the Carvins Cove dam and addresses some of the recommendations contained in the EPA vulnerability assessment . As of September 2007, staff at Carvins Cove can also monitor Spring Hollow 24-hours-a-day. Cameras will soon be installed at Crystal Spring and Falling Creek . Protection of the Carvins Cove Watershed . In 2006, approximately 50 acres, which are partially situated in the Carvins Cove drainageshed and located on the southwest flank of Tinker Mountain, were purchased by the Water Authority to protect the Carvins Cove Watershed . Carvins Cove Management Plan . WVWA is working in conjunction with a City of Roanoke Council appointed committee to develop a land management plan for Carvins Cove. This management plan will help determine current and future recreational usage and activities which will affect the land surrounding Carvins Cove reservoir . Falling Creek Dam Rehabilitation · The 100-year old dam is currently operating under a conditional permit due to an inadequate spillway. An engineering firm was selected and a design contract was signed in August of 2007. Design is expected to be completed by the end of 2007, and construction is slated for Spring of 2008 . Recommendations call for the rehabilitated dam to utilize a labyrinth weir spillway . .--'-- '-- -, "i;'" , ~ il , .,~~';:; ~ :~,... . Ik., l \(~ ,~ 4,..: "11" . Reservoir Management . Staff has analyzed historical data for each of the reservoirs. Based upon historical rainfall, reservoir levels during the calendar year and consumption, graphs have been generated to project critical levels in the near future. These graphs are being used to guide our reservoir management. CARVINS COVE 1170 I" M 1160 ~ ~ l :::: r- 113) - . . . - - . . .. -====== I ,~ ~~~~' }'~!>!jlI~ 11 P .M:.!'~ , . _ , _'~,"""lI"""',", I... ;\ 'J,..... ~f> /'Q po .....q, _ ct...... .....'=' .fJ ,,~ :/,.'\ ....0 'J,':J 'V~ 1)- l'; .....i?J :!<.,'1- ....'0 ~ ,Ck ~ ........ 'J." njC'!J 'J,~ rf''' ...!d ~...'V ...'1: r Of.}f ,A'\' ,.",..... t>c' ...<?f,}-1 "re fi"'~..."1 # "Cf rr -.hqj t(Y (,j "Of _# ,,'\' ~ ~$' ",ff ~& ~ ..I .i"ffI v1 v1 "?"?' ~~ ~~ > ~s' s.f' .,f'~<v' 0/"'/ a- eft ~ ~ <J <:I' ~ ~~ ~- ~ ~ l_----.-----. FULL p~~_ ~~,!,~~2 _~i~rjCal - .- _~e~el__~~ - -=-100day@~MGD -P~jected 12\ SPRING HOLLOW 1410 . - I I ,~....lITI" ., 1. ,FULL POND ''-~ .....-- - ... .....- 1390 r-=-- 1370 z 0 1= 1350 r ~ w .J w 13301___ 1310 I 1290 _ -:. 1270 r-,," b PUMP LINE -==- =- . . . . . . . . , . _ ~09 9.A"Y_~IJPf'LY @} !Agq, _ . . . _ . , . _ , . . . . . . . . . _ _ _~ -~ TOPOFRESERVOiR'"iLLLiNE -,. - -It - - I I IiiiiiiiiiI =- ,"lIIIIII!Il'" ~,L .........:.o.,w... ..J,I,~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ftA~~~ft~~~~~.P ~ ~'i ~" ~'): ~'Ii ~'): ;{I ,<>1 '1,' Y 'l,~' ,,~' ~'!i ~ ~v ~ V ", ~v 'I!" v 'l,' ,," "'_ ,,~ ~, ~'Ii ~" 1" 09 'l,<i:i ~,,} ,'l,'" ~~ ~R< ~'I>'" .~'I>'" ~"" ,,<-'" ~<J.~... r,<::>' ,,0, ~;:; R'- R'- o~'- OU- ",,0 _,0" Q ~"'~ ) ~'I><- ",,09 ~'Ii ~. ~ ~.s ~.s'" ~ ~"o,'l, c,'" "0'" "V -Full Pond -PUMP . , . Fill Line -Historical 1 00 day@ 7MGD --level 07 level 02 - Projected 7 MGD . Consolidation of Carvins Cove and Spring Hollow Laboratory Facilities . During December 2005, the Carvins "'__- Cove and Spring Hollow laboratory operations were consolidated at the Spring Hollow water treatment facility, providing more efficient utilization of space and personnel. The resulting additional space at Carvins Cove allowed for a conference room to be created Water Distribution Improvements . Staff has evaluated the water system to optimize water service areas with respect to flow delivery capabilities and pressure . Approximately 450 homes in the Raleigh Court area now have vastly improved water pressure. This area has historically struggled with low pressure . Staff is looking at establishing a new pressure zone within the Shenandoah Avenue/Salem Turnpike corridor between 30th Street and the Salem city limits . The Harrison Area Water Line Replacement Project replaced 2" galvanized water line with 6" water line. Some residents indicated that they have been suffering with low water pressure and volume for as long as 17 years, and that they are very pleased with the improvement to their water service. City of Roanoke pavement overlay plans expanded this project to include portions of 7th, 8th and 10th Streets, Madison, Harrison, and McDowell Avenues . Cast Iron, 12" Water Line Replacement Program . Authority staff has been investigating the more serious water main breaks associated with 1950's era 12-inch cast iron pipe . Replacement projects include: . Orange Avenue between 13th Street and Gus Nicks Boulevard . Hollins Road between Old Hollins Road and Mason Mill Road . 36th Street between Shenandoah and Salem . Development of a comprehensive hydraulic water system model . Staff has been working with Draper-Aden Associates of Blacksburg for approximately two years to develop a hydraulic water system model. This model is being used as a planning tool to identify infrastructure needs to be included in the capital improvements program . Completion of North Water Transmission Line . The North Water Transmission Line was completed during the spring of 2007. This significant capital improvement provides a . large diameter water line which connects the Spring Hollow water treatment facility to se rvice areas along the 1- 81 corridor to Loch Haven Road . Improved Fire Protection for City of Roanoke and County of Roanoke . Since November 2006, staff has been working to better communications between City of Roanoke and County of Roanoke fire department personnel to identify hydrants throughout the Authority service area with less than desirable flow and/or pressure characteristics. This includes discussing integration of fire hydrant information into a more "user friendly" single database and establishment of a regularly scheduled hydrant flushing and flow test program Meteri ng/Bi II i ng/Monito ri ng . Improved Meter Reading Capability . Meter operations and utility billing staffs have successfully implemented new meter reading cycles and routes and updated the utility billing system. Residential bills are now read bi-monthly . In April 2007, the meter operations group implemented a residential me- ter replacement program intended to replace outdated, damaged and/or inoperable cubic foot and clock dial style meters. The program is scheduled to completely replace meters for six meter routes by the end of 2007 for a total of approximately 1,500 meters . Expansion of the SCADA System Network . Staff continues to add remote sites to the SCADA network. SCADA is the hardware and software that allows our treatment plants to view and control operation of the water distribution system through the use of telephone lines and radio signals ..iAl.p~ ~~Jl! -~~ ;,.-~ . Working toward system-wide Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) capability to optimize meter reading operations. . Plans are underway to replace obsolete and/or non-functioning large meters (2-inch and above) on a planned schedule . 2,000 residential meters are scheduled to be replaced each year . All replacement meters are being equipped AMR capability. This allows a vehicle with a receiver to i drive through a neighborhood and pick up the signals transmitted by the electronic radio transmitter, thus eliminating the need for manual labor to read meters Water Supply · Participation in Long Range Regional Water Supply Plan . The Authority's initiated discussions in modifying the 2002 Long Range Water Supply Plan to meet the requirements of a regional water supply plan. Current participants in the planning process include the City of Roanoke, City of Salem, City of Bedford, Roanoke County, Botetourt County, Franklin County, Bedford County, Town of Rocky Mount and Town of Vinton . Draper-Aden Associates was hired to compile water supply data received from each jurisdiction to include in the Plan. The cost of the study will be approximately $176,000. The regional group was successful in obtaining a planning grant of $30,000 in 2007 and $20,000 for 2008 . Groundwater development project for Garden City wells. · Conducted a feasibility study to develop a series of eXisting groundwater test wells capable of providing approximately 4 million gallons a day of finished water · Evaluate and make recommendations for any required treatment that will produce finished water with chemical characteristics and quality comparable to water currently delivered by the Authority Wastewater Services Division WESTERN VIRGINIA Highlights WATER AUTHORITY The wastewater treatment system that serves the citizens of Roanoke and Roanoke County, which includes both the treatment plant plus 900 miles of sewer main, has undergone much study and change since the Western Virginia Water Authority's startup in July, 2004. Significant financial and staff resources have been expended to survey, map, assess, and model the valley's sewer mains and determine how these systems operate in both wet and dry conditions. Water Pollution Control Plant Improvements Plant operations and maintenance staff were very proud to report in July to the Authority's Board of Directors that no overflows occurred from the facility in Fiscal Year 07. The dedication of improvements at the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant represents a $50M investment by the community, including Vinton, Salem, and Botetourt County, to protect the Roanoke River. Special Order by Consent Regulatory requirements are detailed in a Special Order by Consent (SaC) agreement executed by the Authority and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to resolve alleged wastewater permit exceedences. The sac became effective in March of 2005, is wide ranging, and affects many aspects of the Authority's system operation. The goal of the sac is to limit sewage overflows during rainfall events. This is to be accomplished through a combination of capacity increases, infrastructure renewals, and inflow and infiltration (1&1) reductions. The sac contains a number of short-term milestones that staff and consultants have completing over the last 36 months. These included such items as system improvements, field investigations, creation of computer models, management plans for system operation, and the Mudlick Creek (Garst Mill) Interceptor Project. The final investigative submittal was made January 30, 2007 regarding the financial capabilities of the Authority to undertake capital improvements. As stated above, these efforts have helped staff to better understand the dynamics of inflow and infiltration on the Regional Water Pollution Control Plant and the associated 900 miles of collection system. Significant findings include: · Capacity infrastructure improvements are only practical to address 2-year storm frequency events. Costs to control higher storm frequencies are not attainable without significant impact to customer rates. . In combination with the capacity increases described above, a 20% peak flow reduction in the inflow component of 1&1 should significantly decrease the number of wet weather overflows. . The five highest priority drainage areas, or sewersheds, by peak flow impact are: o Mudlick Creek - Upper, Middle, and Lower Sections; o Roanoke River - All sections plus Barnhardt Creek; o Tinker Creek - All Sections plus Trout Run, and Carvins Creek; o Peters Creek - Upper and Lower Sections; and o Shaffers Crossing. . Although not ranking as high in terms of peak flow reductions, work is also needed in the Murray Run and Lick Run basins to address historic overflow points. · Regardless of basin location, renovations to make low-lying manholes (below the 1 O-year storm elevation) water tight will be implemented for peak 1&1 control. · Disconnection of 1&1 sources, such as roof drains and sump pumps, appears to be the most effective private control measure. Private lateral rehabilitation, while not significant for 1&1 reduction, has other benefits to customers and should considered for future implementation. . Peak flows from Botetourt County and the Town of Vinton are compatible with their capacity allocations. The City of Salem's peak flows are significant. Current capacity is marginal. Salem will need to increase allocated system capacity or reduce peak flows. Rate Increases Directed by the Special Order by Consent Regulatory requirements almost exclusively drive resource allocation and capital planning. This in turn affects the rates customers pay. Sewer rates for City residential customers are increasing an average of 13% per year. Rates for County customers are increasing 8% per year. The difference in the rate of increase results from County customers having higher sewer rates at the start of the Authority's formation. Both customer classes will be at the same rate in 2011. To pay for these improvements, the sac specifies that rates must be raised to generate revenue equivalent to 1.25% of the City of Roanoke's median household income (MHI) by 2011. This is equivalent to a monthly sewer bill for residential customers of $33 per month. The planned rate schedule will elevate the average residential bill to slightly less than $29 per month by 2011. Moderate rate increases of 7% in 2012 and 3% in 2013 will meet the requirement if household income trends continue as expected. Fortunately, staff was able to negotiate revenue generation requirement caps at these levels so that the commitment to renovate the sewer system was not open ended. If rate schedules described above are adopted and rates keep up with the MHI metric, funding of $130M for the collection system and $64M for the Regional WPC Plant are available for system improvements to meet the sac requirements through FY 2029. It is important to note that the capital funding estimates are planning values only. Improvements at the WPC Plant are performing better than expected. The benefits these improvements provide will not be fully known until stress testing of the new facilities can be conducted (or peak flows are experienced). Regulatory changes, long term shifts in weather patterns, the local economic outlook and construction cost inflation will all have significant impacts of actual expenditures. Wastewater Collection System Improvements Maintenance resources have been reallocated to achieve greater success in preventing blockages and overflows. Training, equipment and construction techniques have all been updated to allow staff to take quick action to resolve problems that do occur in the sanitary sewer system and to take preventive action before problems arise. Through the "Easy on the Greasy" campaign, the Pretreatment division of the Water Pollution Control Plant has educated residents and businesses about the harmful effects of putting fats, oils and grease down the sewer lines. Construction of the Mudlick Creek Interceptor Project This project, an important part of the Authority's Special Order by Consent, involves the installation of approximately 10,000 linear feet of 36-inch sanitary sewer. This project should alleviate sanitary sewer overflows in the Garst Mill Park area Construction on this project, started in January 2007 and projected to be completed by July 2008, is being done by Alex E. Paris Contracting Company, Inc. Staff has also been able to utilize innovative techniques that save time and money while minimizing the disruption to our customers. Staff replaced 670-feet of concrete sewer main on Liberty Road utilizing directional drilling techniques, Because long trenches did not have to be dug, this process saved time and minimized pavement replacement. ~~N ~-, --" ..' - ~ o~.< ..,,: .~ . /.' ~ t r~' "'-_ ;;. ."..,// ~(".i _.,....f.~:T'-:.~ '. :-..... . . ".~' '~iSi~ii .J.i' , '.' '. . ..t:~~~- .....,/ ,,'~;; ,":~~A ,__' ~~..". ..t, ~ .-'-'" ...,<. ,~;~ .,~':'\ .~j ~_.. _ .~~""~"'6; ,JS"':' -:-~ ./ - ,'- ~ .:~.5; ..:,. l. " ;> ~-.(l---. ' ~~l ,-::/_:-:: . ~" .' -t -~I~ ~".::." .o'''', ~~ .' ' ;~r!1:::~" · :~ ~.~~.~.~~~, " I~'~ ~ ~~. . J ~". 'i r!'i";r.J,I".,., <,' ~ r?'" ...?~ ,. ,....,.,.::....... -....... ,~;,...:"_. ,...r~.. ,> ~ ~'- -. - ,." ,~... -~..~.. '-"'~~ .\ "J~" ,....""", hj,~':," . .';. " .:.' ,0' - . ..... ;,-c..~,,;,.-:J ..-.. "~. ,~:~~if.~.,,'\ .~.' .~~~,:.~..'; ~..,'~; .~.. ," ,~ .~ ".... '!'.:r#l..... " p'~ ..~ .-. ~i~.'~. . .-' ..,." , ~~_:".' ~.,..~. .', ......, r .'}I,. ~... ... b:"~ .. _,.l ..' i: \.-rilJ..~,. , ...... .:o;.::-,>'I'l; , '.~"'. I' .- JF;':'- ~ . l' ~;~ .". .~ ~'~: I ....--\ ~l.: ,; ,A, . :'.. ~.,;\.\. ~ _, ,.~~c;;./'.,t ~~;, . ~J.,. -"~.. .' ~./.. ..... "., ' 1\' ".~ .. '.J "< ? -,-' -, "~ '." J; -' ,~ ..' fI'.... 4:"~' ~ .' .-:'. d -'." :. ~_ r _. ~~". ~..... ,r _ ~)~- . 8y t' .;' \~.!,;iS:., ~~~ ",r:. ~:~..~ =."_q.' . :..J~-_..'"""z~~ Regional Initiatives WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY . Adoption of Regional Water and Sewer Standards . Staff personnel have taken the lead in promoting and developing regional water and sewer standards. Participants include Bedford County PSA, Franklin County, Ferrum Water and Sewage Authority, Montgomery County PSA, City of Salem, Town of Vinton and Botetourt County . Contract Water and Sewer Operations for Fincastle . Staff successfully negotiated a contract with the Town of Fincastle to provide water and sewer services for Town customers . Regional Cooperation Initiatives . Staff has been working with the City of Salem to develop opportunities for trading of water and additional system interconnects, which will improve water delivery capability (flow & pressure) to the Roanoke County and Salem service areas . U. S. Route 220 Water Line Extension . The WVWA is working with Franklin County and the County of Roanoke officials to extend a 12- inch water line from the Clearbrook area of Roanoke County southward along the U. S. Route 220 corridor . The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for the U. S. Route 220 water line extension project has been approved and design is underway. Construction shall be completed within two years