HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13 WSB MINUTES•
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WATER AND SEWER BOARD
MEETING
February 13 , 2007
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Bums, Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy,
Wiggins , Wolosyn, Habenicht
Higday, Oakley
Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
Bill McCormick, Operations Supt.
Joe Pershin, Water Production
Administrator
1. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 23 , 2007 MEETING.
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved the minutes of the meeting of January
23, 2007.
Mr. Wiggins moved;
Ms. W olosyn seconded:
Ayes:
Nays :
Members absent:
Members abstained:
Motion carried .
To approve the minutes from the January 23,
2007 meeting .
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins,
Oakley, Wolosyn, Habenicht
None
None
Bums
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2. PLATTE RIVER PROGRAM -ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
Joe Pershin appeared to discuss the South Platte Water Related Activities Program
(SPWRAP), which is an agreement with the Department of the Interior to improve the
habitat of the interior least tern, whooping crane, pallid sturgeon and the piping plover -
all endangered species. SPWRAP would improve the habitat by providing more water in
the critical area along the Platte River in Nebraska. Englewood, along with other water
users along the Platte River, would be the principals in the SPWRAP agreement. The
agreement would provide compliance with the Endangered Species Act to participating
entities.
The Department of the Interior is funding half of the program, and through the Corps of
Engineers, issues 404 Permits for users along the Platte River. These permits are
mandatory for projects in or along the Platte River.
Englewood's portion of the assessment for the program for 2007 is $29,189.52, with an
annual assessment for 13 years. Future assessment amount will be computed on treated
water use and number of participants with the SPWRAP Program.
Mr. Cassidy noted that he looked up SPWRAP's Articles of Incorporation and questioned
the relationship of SPWRAP to the 404 Permits and the assessment. Discussion ensued.
Mayor Wolosyn wished to remind the Board that the original purpose of the SPWRAP
agreement is to preserve the above mentioned endangered species in the South Platte
Basin.
Chairman Clark requested that the Board be notified of the assessed rate upon the
anniversary date. Mr. Fonda noted that participation in the program may be cancelled at
anytime.
Mr. Bums moved;
Ms. Wolosyn seconded:
Ayes:
Nays:
Members absent:
To recommend Council approval of
Englewood's participation in the South
Platte Water Related Activities Program
(SPWRAP) in the amount of $29,189.52 for
the first year of a 13-year program.
Clark, Moore, Higday, Wiggins, Oakley,
Wolosyn, Habenicht
Cassidy
None
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Motion carried .
3. NATURALLY OCCURRING URANIUM IN SURFACE WATER.
Bill McCormick appeared to review the report from Timothy Cox of URS Corporation,
"Urban Development and its Influence on Naturally Occurring Uranium in Surface Water
and Groundwater." The City of Englewood's water treatment plant has an intake on the
South Platte River, and treatment residuals have contained higher than expected levels of
uranium. The elevated levels are due to increased uranium within the influent water.
Joe Pershin, Englewood's Water Production Administrator, collected water samples from
the S. Platte River and tributaries. The sampling revealed that water collected from Big
Dry Creek had uranium above background levels. URS reviewed local geology and
found sources of naturally occurring uranium in the Dawson Formation, which forms
ridges within the watershed. Because ofresidential and commercial development,
irrigation drainage has eroded the sediment lines of the streambeds. Irrigation water
flowing through uranium-rich soils and streambeds provides the likely source of uranium
in groundwater and eventually to Big Dry Creek, eventually being consolidated in
Englewood's alum sludge .
4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
a. Article from the Denver Post dated January 24, 2007, "Water-Quality bill clears
panel." The article discusses approval of a proposal to strengthen state water-quality law
allowing water-court judges to consider environmental effects before approving transfers
of large amounts of water out of rivers.
b . Article from the Colorado Public Works Journal dated December 2006, "A new level
of water efficiency." The article discusses the City of Aurora taking steps to create a
sustainable water supply. Aurora is participating in the Prairie Waters Project as a
strategy for the most cost-effective way to meet future supply demands.
c. Article from CDM News, "Managing digital data." The article is about the
Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant's Phase I GIS implementation.
d. Article from Colorado Business, "Thirst for solutions." The article discusses the finite
water supply in Colorado and its limits, specifically regarding the South Metro area.
e. Water right review from David Hill, Englewood's Water Attorney discussed water
rights issues .
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The next Water and Sewer Board will be March 13 , 2007 in the Community
Development Conference Room at 5:00 p .m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Burrage
Recording Secretary