HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-13 WSB AGENDAWATER& SEWER BOARD
AGENDA
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM
1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 8, 2008 MEETING. (ATT. 1)
2. SOUTH PLATTE RIVER PROGRAM -ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
(ATT . 2)
3. ORDINANCE CHANGE FOR SEWER CONNECTION & REPAIRS. (ATT. 3)
4 WATER RIGHTS UPDATE FROM HILL DATED APRIL 8, 2008 (ATT. 4)
5. GAC /MANGANE SE AT THE ALLEN FILTER PLANT . (ATT. 5)
6. OTHER.
WATER AND SEWER BOARD
MINUTES
April 8, 2008
A TT ,, I
The meeting was called to order at 5 :03 p .m .
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Cassidy, Wiggins, Woodward, Oakley,
Habenicht
Moore, Higday, Bums, Clark
Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
1. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 18 , 2008 MEETING.
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved the minutes of the meeting of March
18, 2008.
Mr. Wiggins moved;
Mr. Habenicht seconded :
Ayes:
Nays:
Abstain:
Members absent:
Motion carried.
To approve the minutes from the March 18,
2008 meeting.
Cassidy, Wiggins , Woodward , Oakley,
Habenicht
None
Woodward
Moore, Higday, Bums, Clark
2. WATER RIGHTS UPDATE FROM DA YID HILL.
The Board received a water rights update dated March 10, 2008, from David Hill,
Englewood's Water Attorney. Stu discussed developments in water litigation cases in
which Englewood is involved.
Gray Clark entered at 5:07 p .m.
Tom Bums entered at 5 :09 p.m.
3. ORDINANCE CHANGES FOR THE SEWER PORTION OF THE CITY CODE.
John Bock, Administration Manager of Utilities, appeared before the Board to review
proposed changes in the Municipal Sewer Code. When a house is demolished with plans
to rebuild a new house, sewer services have been lost during a demolition without a
correct cutoff. The proposed ordinance changes will help the Utilities Department
manage and control these services at demolition.
The proposed ordinance changes will have Municipal Code 12-2-4: Private Sewers,
Connections and Repairs read as follows:
City Code 12-2-4: Private Sewers, Connections and Repairs.
B. Old Private Sewers: The use of existing or aging cast iron, clay tile or concrete sewer
service pipes will not be permitted at new buildings on properties where there has been a
change of ownership ·within the last twelve months. The old sewer service must be
replaced from the building to the main with approved pipe. Owner/occupants of
properties who desire to replace a building with the intent to occupy it themselves may
seek a variance from the Water and Sewer Board if the existing pipe is found by Utilities
Department inspectors to be in sound condition. Utilities Department inspectors may
require all necessary tests to conclusively establish the condition of the existing sewer
service pipe. Abandoned private sewers shall be plugged at the sewer main and at the
user's expense upon discontinuance of service. The plug in the old private sewer must be
inspected and approved and a plan review and inspection fee will be charged by the City.
Existing sewer saddles or wye connections may be used for new sewer services if
approved by Utilities Department inspectors. If an abandoned sewer service is not
plugged at the main within 30 days, the City may perform the disconnection and may
charge time and materials against the property either through the next regular quarterly
water bill or by lien.
Discussion ensued with Mr. Woodward and Mr. Clark regarding the intent of the change.
It was recommended that, "within the last twelve months" be removed from the proposed
ordinance change. The Board concurred.
Mr. Bums moved;
Mr. Clark seconded:
Ayes :
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion passed.
To recommend Council approval of the
proposed Municipal Code changes to City
Code 12-2-4 (B), Private Sewers,
Connections and Repairs.
Bums, Clark, Cassidy, Wiggins , Woodward,
Oakley, Habenicht
None
Moore, Higday
4 . POLICY CHANGES REGARDING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES AT
BUILDING SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION.
John Bock, Administration Manager of Utilities appeared to discuss changes to the
existing policy regarding water and sewer services before, during and after the demolition
of structures. He explained that sewer services are being lost in demolition, so no proper
disconnection is assured. Water services are being disconnected at the curb stop and left
live, sometimes for years. With the intent of controlling these services at demolition, the
Utilities staff is recommending the following policy and Code changes :
A. The Building Department will notify the Utilities Department when it receives an
application, via the permit tracking system, for a demolition permit. The Utilities
Department will notify the applicant of our water/sewer service cut off and inspection
requirements.
B. At the time of application, a "to be completed by" date for the water and/or sewer
will be determined for the water and/or sewer service cutoffs. The cut offs must be
completed within 30 days after the "to be completed by" date. If the applicant does not
amend the cutoff date, the Utilities Department may perform the cutoffs or hire a private
contractor and charge time and materials against the property.
C. New sewer service p ipe may be extended to property line at the time of cutoff to
avoid multiple alley cuts . The cutoff must be marked with a department-approved
locating device. Existing saddle or wye connections may be used if approved by the
Utilities Department inspectors. If abandoned, sewer service lines must be cut off at the
mam.
D. New or replacement water or sewer taps at the main will not be allowed at new
construction prior to disconnection of the previous water and sewer taps unless the
Utilities Department has approved use of the existing pipes.
E . The Distribution/Collection Supervisor will be notified of any water or sewer
service line cutoffs.
Mr. Habenicht moved;
Mr. Cassidy seconded:
Ayes :
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion passed.
To approve the policy changes
recommended by the Utilities Department
staff regarding water and sewer services for
buildings scheduled for demolition.
Burns, Clark, Cassidy, Wiggins , Woodward,
Oakley, Habenicht
None
Moore, Higday
5 . RAW WATER FLOW METER REPLACEMENT AND HATCH.
Bill McCormick, Operations Superintendent of Utilities, appeared to discuss the raw
water flow meter replacement and hatch at the Allen Filter Plant. The original 42" raw
water magnetic flow meter tube has failed and there is no access for removal and
replacement. It is necessary for the Allen Filter Plant to have an accurate raw water flow
measurement for chemical dos ing and pacing demands. Brown and Caldwell Engineers
has recommended structural modifications to the existing building to provide access to
remove and replace the 42" flow tube and modify the existing piping to create a straight
run for a magnetic flow meter.
Bids for the raw water flow meter replacement and access hatch were received and Brown
and Caldwell recommended Glacier Construction as the lowest, acceptable bid at
$30 ,800.00. per their letter dated April 2, 2008.
Mr. Clark moved;
Mr. Cassidy seconded:
Ayes:
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion passed.
To approve the bid for the Allen Filter Plant
raw water flow meter replacement and hatch
to Glacier Construction in the amount of
$30,800.00 as recommended by Brown and
Caldwell.
Burns, Clark, Cassidy, Wiggins, Woodward,
Oakley, Habenicht
None
Moore, Higday
6. TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENT PROJECT FOR THE ALLEN FILTER
PLANT.
Bill McCormick, Operations Superintendent of Utilities, appeared to discuss the
transformer replacement project for the Allen Filter Plant. The original transformer was
installed in 1952 by Public Service Company with a newer transformer installed in the
1980's. A secondary transformer and switch is critical during various events that create
power outages from Xcel Energy. The existing transformer then becomes the backup
transformer. Also, the anticipated UV disinfection system to be installed at the Allen
Filter Plant in the next few years will increase the plant load, making a secondary
transformer even more crucial. Because of a 35 to 37 week lead time, the transformer and
switch was ordered in July, 2007. The Allen Plant is hoping to get the new transformer
on line by the summer of 2008 .
Bids were received and the lowest acceptable bidder approved by Brown and Caldwell is
Glaser Electric in the amount of$106,115.00.
Mr. Bums moved;
Mr. Wiggins seconded: To recommend Council approval of the bid
for the installation of the transformer, switch
and other improvements in the amount of
$106, 115. from Glaser Electric Company.
Ayes:
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion passed.
Burns, Clark, Cassidy, Wiggins, Woodward,
Oakley, Habenicht
None
Moore, Higday
7. GRANULATED ACTIVATED CARBON (GAC) AT ALLEN FILTER PLANT.
Bill McCormick appeared to discuss turbidity issues due to manganese on our GAC
media. At the Allen Filter Plant, the granulated activated carbon was regenerated earlier
this year for three filters . The GAC on these three filters have a manganese attachment to
the media that is causing unacceptable turbidity when it passes through the GAC and is
being oxidized in the clearwell by the chlorine disinfection process. The manganese is
causing yellow water in the water distribution system , but the water is still within safe
drinking water standards .
Bill explained that the plant is trying to correct this condition by adding sulfuric acid to
the water to oxidize the manganese out of the media and lower the manganese level to an
acceptable level, as per instructions by the GAC supplier. The Allen Filter Plant is
continuing this course of action and observing the outcome. If this does not produce the
desired results, pre-chlorination will be tried . Ultimately, the GAC media may have to be
replaced.
8. IMPACTS OF ANTIDEGRADATION AND USE PROTECTION.
The Board received an Executive Summary from the Littleton/Englewood Wastewater
Treatment Plant (LIE WWTP) regarding impacts of antidegradation on Segment 14 of the
South Platte River. Stream segments are classified based on the level of water quality
protection necessary for designated beneficial uses. The LIE WWTP discharges effluent
to Segment 14 of the S . Platte River and is classified as "reviewable," whereas if no
reasonable alternatives are avai lable, degradation is allowed only if it is necessary to
accommodate economic or social development. This may result in permit limitations
more stringent than water quality standards .
Under the antidegradation review , the LIE WWTP may have to meet stricter limits
including additional constituents that have not been permitted in the past. This may
require additional treatment processes to comply with the new standards, resulting in
increased sewer rate. Attaining a use protection designation would result in permit
limitations to meet water quality standards thereby avoiding additional costs associated
with meeting antidegradation requirements.
This issue was reviewed with Englewood City Council and there will be a joint meeting
with Littleton City Council which is scheduled for April 24, 2008.
The Board adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
The next Englewood Water and Sewer Board will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 5:00
p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
~~
Cathy Burrage
Recording Secretary
A TT.. 2
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Date Agenda Item Subject
May 19, 2008 Platte River Program -
Endangered Species Act
INITIATED BY
Utilities Department
STAFF SOURCE
Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
COUNCIL GOAL AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
Council approved Englewood's participation in the Platte River Program at their March 5, 2007
meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Water and Sewer Board, at their May 13, 2008 meeting, recommended Council approval
of Englewood's participation in the South Platte Water Re lated Activities Program.
BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, AND ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED
The South Platte Water Related Activities Program (SPWRAP) was formed to improve the
habitat of the following endange red species -the interior least tern, whooping crane, pa'llid
sturgeon and the threatened piping plover. The South Platte Water Related Activities Program
(SPWRAP) would improve the habitat, by providing more water in the critical area along the
Platte River in Nebraska.
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 construction, repairs or projects in or along the Platte River. ·
This is the second year of an ongoing 13-year program. Water Board has recommended that
City Council enable the City Manager, or his designee, to be able to renew and pay for this
program in three, one-year increments. ··
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Englewood's portion of the 2007 assessment for the program was $29, 189.52, with an annual
assessment for 13-years. Future assessment amounts are computed on treated water use
and the number of participants with the SPWRAP Program. The 2008 assessed amount is
$27,275.04.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance
South Platte Water Related Activities Program Assessment Invoice
S. Platte River -Endangered Species Act
A. Instructions
South Platte Water Related Activities Program, Inc.
Municipal (Class M) Membership
2007 Reporting Form & Assessment Invoice
Paae 1 of~ ;;;
Please fill in this form including membership information , water use data , and the assessment as calculated . Send payment for your
SPWRAP annual assessment to the address listed at the bottom of this form .
City of Englewood Municipal Member Entity
Mailing Address 1000 Englewood Parkway
Englewood, Colorado 80110-2373
email Address
Phone Number
Submitted by
Title
sfonda@englewoodgov .org
303-762-2636
Stewart H. Fonda
Director of Utilities Date
B. Treated Water Use (previous 5-year average (2002-2006)
Note : A member's water use for purposes of defining the number of single-family equivalent taps for SPWRAP is defined as
"any trea ted water deliveries from sources of water owned by the member."
(A} (B) (C) (D) =A+ B + C
Treated Water
Year Production at Additions 2 Subtractions 3 Total Treated
Member's Plant 1 Water Use
(acre-feet) (acre-feet) (acre-feet) (acre-feet)
2003 8,184 8,184
2004 7,344 7,344
2005 7,921 7,921
2006 8,020 8,020
2007 6413 6,413
37 ,882 .00
5-Year Average Adjusted Water Use 4 7,576.40
1 The amount of treated water produced at your entity's water treatment facility (if any).
2 Add any treated water tha t is owned by your entity but treated by another entity .
3 Subtract any water treated at your facility but not owned by your entity .
4 Equals the sum divided by the number of years reported.
C. Calculation of Single Family Equivalents, Membership Units and Annual Assessment
1. Previous 5-year average (2001-2005) Treated Water Use (acre-feet) 7,576.40
2. Use per S. F. Account (acre-feeUSFE ) t 0.5
3. Single Family Equivalents (No . 1 /No . 2) 15 , 152.80
4. SPWRAP Member Units per SFE t 6
5. Total SPWRAP Membership Un its (No . 3 X No. 4) 90,916 .80
6. 2006/2007 SPWRAP AssessmenUUnit t 0.30
7. 2006/2007SPWRAP Annual Assessment (No . 5 X No. 6) $27,275.04
t Numbers 2, 4, & 6 above are fixed for all members in 2007
D. Payment of Assessment
Payment of the annual assessment will provide membership in SPWRAP and coverage under the Platte
River Recovery Implementation Program through the calendar year 2007 .
Please make checks payable to "SPWRAP " and send to the following address :
SPWRAP
% Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
220 Water Avenue
Berthoud , Colorado 80513
Page 2 of:
Note : This reporting form may be revised in the fu ture to reflect infonnation needed to comply with Program requirements . Entities
electing to join after 2007 will be required to pay the assessment for the year they join the program . In addition the new member
must pay asses~ments for all prior years of the Program , plus 4% interest, compounded annually.
f·f '~j
~ L./:f3 .. ·•Y -.!.!'-J,:<J •"' .
•'"" .
Date
June 16 , 2008
INITIATED BY
Utilities Department
A TT ~ 3
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Agenda Item Subject
Ordinance Changes for the
Sewer portion of the City Code
STAFF SOURCE
Stev:rart H. Fonda, Director of Utilities
COUNCIL GOAL AND PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Water and Sewer Board , at the ir Ap ri l 8 , 2008 meeting , recommended Council approval of an
Ordinance amending Title 12 , Chapter 2, Section 4 , of the Englewood Municipal Code 1985 amending
the Sewer Utility section.
BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, AND ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED
When a house is demolished , with plans to rebuild a new house, management of sewer services has
been an issue . Sewer services can be lost during a demolition without a correct cut-off. The Utilities
Department is attempting to manage an d control what is happening to these services at demolition .
See attached proposed Mun icipa l Code 12-2-4: Private Sewers , Connections and Repairs .
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None .
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Code Change
Ordinance
Ordchgn 4-8-08
Proposed Code Change:
12-2-4: Private Sewers, Connections and Repairs.
8. Old Private Sewers .: The use of existing or aging cast iron, clay tile or concrete sewer
service pipes will not be permitted at new buildings. on properties where there has been a
change of ownership 'A'ithin the last twelve months. The old sewer service must be replaced
from the building to the main with approved pipe. Owner/occupants of properties who desire to
replace a building with the intent to occupy it themselves may seek a variance from the Water
and Sewer Board if the existing pipe is found by Utilities Department inspectors to be in sound
condition. Utilities Department inspectors may require all necessary tests to conclusively
establish the condition of the existing sewer service pipe. Old private sewers may be used in
connection with new buildings only when they are found to meet all requirements herein and solely at
the risk of the user; other, old Abandoned private sewe 1s shall be plugged at the sewer main and at
the user's expense upon discontinuance of service . The plug in the old private sewer must be
inspected and approved and a plan review and inspection fee will be charged by the City. Existing
sewer saddles or wye connections may be used for new sewer services if approved by Utilities
Department inspectors. If an abandoned sewer service is not plugged at the main within 30
days, the City may perform the disconnection and may charge time and materials against the
property either through the next regular quarterly water bill or by lien.
David G . Hill
Parmer
I~ IT . '-{
BERG HILL GREENLEAF & RUSCITTI LLP
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW
1712 Pearl Street • Boulder, Colorado 80302
Tel: 303.402.1600 • Fax: 303.402.1601
bhgrlaw.com
April 8, 2008
i t
dgh@bhgrlaw.com
,. -'-\.
< '. ' . 'I
:. -· Daniel L. Brotzman, Esq.
City of Englewood
' ··1·11
... '/;';
1000 Englewood Parkway
Englewood, CO 80110-0110
Re: March Invoice
Dear Dan:
Enclosed please find our invoices for professional services on water matters for March 1,
2008, tlu·ough March 31, 2008, in the amount of$86,663 .46, with a total for the year of $203,872.94.
The amount for this billing cycle on major cases is listed below:
I Name I Amou nt I No. I
General (No Charged this Month) $ 841.00 001
FRICO (02CW105) Change and Related Cases 81,978.13 504
Stu Fonda has asked us to provide brief descriptions of the reasons for Englewood's
involvement in all cases which appear on our bills each month, as well as a brief summary of the
work performed by this firm during the month. The following paragraphs contain these descriptions
with respect to the matters reflected on the enclosed invoices:
Introduction. Please understand th at th is letter is a confidentia l attorney-client
communication. Please keep it confidential .
Again, almost all of the work relates to the Denver/FRI CO 1999 Agreement, the closure of
the Chatfield reservoir outlet gates, and the FRICO/United/East Cherry Creek change. (All of them
are related, of course.)
Daniel L. Brotzman
April 8, 2008
Page 2
The work done during March on Denver's 1999 Agreement and the Chatfield outlet gate
closures turned up disturbing information about Denver's long-term plans for the increased closing
of th e Chatfield outlet gates, as well as disturbing information about Denver's administration of
Englewood's ri ghts to divert from Chatfield. That information is as follows.
To begin with, as you know, Englewood suffers severe quality problems in winter when the
Chatfield gates are closed . The level of hardness in the river rises so high that Joe Pershin must
bypass some of the water legally available for diversion from the river, and instead take water from
En glewood's storage or from Bear Creek to dilute the hardness level. Taking water from Bear Creek
(or storage) in turn reduces the amount which can be sold to Centennial (Highlands Ranch), thus
cutting income received .
Depositions of Denver 's people revealed that Denver has large amounts of effluent which
it could exchange to Chatfield, once its gravel pits reservoirs are constructed near Brighton. Such
exchanges would incteas e the periods when the Chatfield gates are closed, and also reduce
Englewood 's ability to divert from Chatfield. Those gravel pits are about three years from
completion. Denver has appl ied to exchange from those gravel pits to Chatfield under a 1977
priority, in a separate case, and we have objected on the basis that the priority should be 2008. If it
were 2008 , we could divert on our 90CW220 exchange even if McLellan were out of priority.
In addition , it turns out that Denver "spills" significant water from Chatfield, through the
outlet manifold, once the reservoir level has reached the maximum height allowed by the Corps of
Engineers. Denver is negotiating to build a pump station in Chatfield, to pump water to its Conduit
20 , so as to eliminate the spills.
If we can prevail in the 1999 Agreement case, it will help us with those problems . We have
achieved one significant victory in that part of the case; see below.
Finally, Denver 's administration of Chatfield has some significant unfairness, which we
discovered through the depositions and analysis of Denver 's accounting sheets. When Englewood 's
rights are in priority , Englewood is entitled to divert only "native flow" from Chatfield; there is
inflow from Denver's fish flow releases at Strontia Springs, which Englewood cannot divert. Native
flow is determined by about noon of each day, for the previous twenty-four hour period ending at
8 :00 a.111., based on changes in gauge height. If it turns out there was native flow which Englewood
could have taken, but did not , because its ditch outlet valve was set too low, Denver just keeps the
excess. If however Englewood 's ditch outlet valve was set too high , and Englewood takes too much,
Denver charges the excess against Englewood 's Ranch Creek water stored in Chatfield.
(Englewood's valves have to be set in advance of each day, based on a guess as to what native inflow
will turn out to be.) A very brief inquiry on my part leads me to believe that significant water is
involved here. This issue probably cannot be resolved in the present case; but it can be resolved in
the exchange case. Joe Pershin was aware of the practice of charging water against Englewood's
Ranch Creek water in storage , but did not know that Denver was keeping the excess when
Daniel L. Brotzman
April 8, 2008
Page 3
Englewood's valve was set too low. (I suspect he could not have figured it out by himself absent
the depositions .)
With respect to the FRICO/United/East Cherry Creek changes, there were settlement
meetings but settlement efforts broke down. Englewood and Aurora made two separate offers of the
amount of water per share which could be changed from agricultural to municipal. The second offer
was greater than the first offer. After the second offer, FRI CO et al raised their settlement amount,
which already had been much too high. So we are going to trial.
Settlement discussions with Denver also broke down, because all Denver offered was a
manipulation of their "owe the river account" to dribble it out when the gates were closed . As a
condition of settlement, Denver required that Englewood get out of the new gravel pit exchange case.
Since the owe-the-river account may go away if Denver gets its pumping station, and since the new
gravel pit exchange case is essential, Englewood declined. So the 1999 Agreement will go to trial.
We have obtained one quite helpful ruling, although its true meaning is still in some slight
dispute. The 1999 Agreement provides that FRI CO will not place the 1885 Burlington call, but the
1909 BaIT Lake call can be placed to fill the 1885 right. That meant that although there was no 1885
call, Englewood's 1948 McLellan right could not dive1i, because the 1909 call would prevent that.
The Judge ruled that the 1909 call could not be used to fill the 1885 right. That is a significant
benefit to Englewood, because it should mean that there is no call from the Burlington headgate
while the 1885 right is filling, and there are periods when there are no senior calls from below the
Burlington headgate. So McLellan should be able to dive1i more often. Unfmiunately, there is some
quarreling as to the point in time when the 1909 call can begin to be placed. I hope we can work that
out.
This brings us to the trial preparation activities, which have been immense. We have deposed
Duane Helton, the FRICO expert, and four people from Denver (Bill Bates, Larry Dirks, Dave
Bennett and Marc Waage), for which we had to prepare. We have attended depositions of Aurora's
expert, FRICO's manager, Dave Love (who designed the new upstream Burlington headgate) and
Central' s expert. We responded to Denver motions about the 1999 Agreement, and filed our own.
We replied to FRICO responses to our motions. We are in the midst of preparing an immense
exhibit list. We prepared our part of the trial management order. We prepared our witness list and
order of testimony. We attended the pre-trial readiness conference in Greeley. And, very
imporiantly, FRI CO belatedly disclosed over 20,000 pages of belated documents, which required
review and further disclosures.
We will keep you advised.
The remainder of the cases are described below.
A II,, 5
MEMORANDUM
TO: Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
FROM: Bill McCormick, Operations Supt. -Utilities
DATE: May 6, 2008
RE: Manganese Issues with GAC Regeneration
On March 28, 2008 the #3 filter at the Allen Filter Plant was washed and put in after
regeneration . Several hours later filter turbidity began to rise and staff found that
manganese was the cause . The source water was checked and found to be normal. The
manganese level in the effluent was .60 mg/1. Staff started to get complaints of yellow
tinted water from customers. The #3 filter was shut off and the original filters that had
not been regenerated were the only filters that were on line. The complaints stopped.
Jim Fisher, of American Carbon Services and CDM recommended an acid bath to get the
pH below 6.0 . Sulfuric acid was used to lower the pH. The initial try lowered the
manganese level by half. After numerous filter washes, the manganese level was still too
high. Hydrochloric acid was tried without success .
CDM was again contacted and pre-chlorination was recommended . Pre-chlorination
began on April 23 , 2008 and good results began almost immediately. The manganese
level dropped below 0.05 mg/1. The filter was performing fine and ntu 's in the clearwell
remained the same.
The #2 filter was pre-chlorinated and put on line one day later. No turbidity/manganese
issues were noticed . The #4 filter was pre-chlorinated with a ch does of 2.0±, and staff
tried to keep the pH above 8.5 using caustic soda. When the pH was above 8.8 mg level,
water going through the filter dropped below .05 mg/l. However, when pH dropped
below 8.5, the manganese level rose above .05 mg/1. On April 29th the #4 filter was put
on line and no turbidity issues were noticed in the clearwell. Pre-chlorination was
stopped May 3 and caustic soda was stopped on May 4th. No manganese/turbidity issues
were noticed .
The turbidity and pH levels of water leaving the J~llen Filter Plant will continue to be
monitored. Mr. Fisher has compiled an estimate for media replacement, in case it
becomes necessary. The cost would be $3,150 per month per filter or $189,000 per year.
We are currently paying $135,000 per year. Staff will continue investigating the GAC
media to determine if replacement with virgin GAC will be necessary before the
contracts expire.