HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Wastewater Operations ReportJanuary 9, 2001
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO. 16
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: WASTEWATER OPERATIONS REPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and File
DISCUSSION:
In recent weeks, there have been several news articles written about the aging
wastewater systems and leaks that have occurred in neighboring cities. The Utilities
Division of the Public Works Department is responsible for operating the City's
wastewater system, which includes the operation of twenty pump stations and the
maintenance of over 200 miles of collection system piping, which transports wastewater
to the treatment plant in Huntington Beach.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund was established in 1988 to operate, construct, and
maintain the wastewater system. This fund collects revenue based on sewer
connections and the amount of water used. The Wastewater operation is staffed with
one part-time and nine full -time employees. They are responsible for the operation of
pump stations, main line cleaning and maintenance, and lateral /clean -out maintenance
and installation.
Pump Stations — Twenty pump stations, located throughout the City, are
operated and maintained by the Wastewater Section. These stations
pump sewage from low areas of the City up to the County's large diameter
collection mains. Failure of these stations could result in the sewage
backing up into homes or out onto streets with drainage systems that lead
to the bay. A preventive maintenance program is in place and includes
weekly visits to each of the stations. These visits include a thorough
inspection of the motors, pumps, panels and wet wells of the station. Staff
is trained to perform maintenance upgrades as necessary to these
stations. Major upgrades or repairs are funded in the Capital
Improvement Project budget. In addition, all of the stations have alarm
systems that notify the on duty maintenance staff of any malfunctions in
the station.
Subject: Wastewater Operations Report
January 9, 2001
Page: 2
Main Line Cleaning and Maintenance — In order for the wastewater to flow
throughout the City, the mains must be clean and free of blockages.
There are approximately 218 miles of sewer mains throughout the City.
All of these mains are cleaned every 12 to 18 months. These mains are
cleaned using the Utilities Division's two Vactors and a Jet Rodder by
applying high - pressure water to clear blockages and using hydraulic
cutting devices to clean the lines of roots and other debris. The loosened
debris is then vacuumed into the truck and removed from the main. Some
areas of the City - especially near restaurants - generate larger amounts
of grease, which creates blockages if the system is not cleaned frequently.
In these areas the mains are cleaned as often as once a month, to
breakdown and remove the grease.
Lateral /Clean -out Maintenance and Installation — Newport Beach is one of
the only cities in Orange County, which is responsible for the maintenance
of laterals and clean -outs to each property line. Typically, cities and
sanitation district agencies are only responsible for the maintenance of
main lines. Approximately thirty percent of the properties in Newport
Beach have lateral clean -outs. Owners of properties which do not have
lateral clean -outs are being required to install one if they submit plans for
any construction that involves major plumbing modifications. In addition, if
a customer experiences sewer related problems because of City tree root
intrusion or from the collapse of a lateral, City crews will provide
assistance and if necessary, will install a clean out on the customer's
lateral. The installation of these clean -outs helps to minimize on -site
back -ups or spills by providing an outlet for the backed up wastewater and
a convenient location for cleaning the laterals.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund provides between 2.5 to 3 million dollars each year for
maintenance and operation and the Capital Improvement Program for the wastewater
system. The operations budget (about $1.5 million) consists of salaries, benefits,
equipment maintenance and replacement, professional services, maintenance supplies,
energy costs and general liability coverage. The other component - the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) - provides $1 to 1.5 million per year for the ongoing
improvement and replacement of the aged wastewater infrastructure. Each year
infrastructure needs are identified for replacement or upgrading in three categories:
pump stations, sewer mains, and maintenance programs. The 1996 Sewer Master Plan
identified deficiencies, established a phased replacement program, and provided
maintenance guidelines that are used each year in preparing the Wastewater CIP.
A priority deficiency that was identified over twenty years ago was the replacement of
deteriorating concrete mains that were installed from 1910 to the 1930's. These mains
are the oldest in the City and were installed on the Balboa Peninsula, West Newport,
Balboa Island, and some parts of Newport Heights and Corona Del Mar. It is estimated
Subject: Wastewater Operations Report
January 9, 2001
Page: 3
that ninety percent of these older mains have been replaced as part of the ongoing
replacement program.
The 20 pump stations are also a critical part of the collection system, especially on the
islands in the City. Some of these stations were constructed as early as 1925. An
annual Pump Station Improvement Program is funded as a part of the CIP. The Master
Plan, as well as input from the maintenance staff, provides recommendations on the
type of upgrade or replacement necessary for the next year. The upgrades can range
from a full reconstruction of the station (the Little Balboa Island Station) to the
replacement of pumps, motors or electrical panels. As an upgrade to the existing alarm
system, all of the stations are in the process of being equipped with Remote
Transmitting Units (RTU's). These RTU's provide real time information on the operation
of the pump station via the use of radio wave transmissions. A centralized operating
system monitors these RTU's and if a problem occurs, an alphanumeric page is sent to
a stand -by duty person, indicating the problem. There are six stations that have been
fully upgraded. In the last four years, three pump stations have been abandoned and
one was relinquished to the Bay Island Homeowner's Association.
In the next ten years, it is estimated that 10 million dollars will be needed for the
Wastewater System Capital Improvement Program, for rehabilitating and upgrading
pump stations, replacing the remaining deteriorating concrete mains and the
lateral /cleanout program.
One main concern that the public has regarding the wastewater system is the reliability
of the system and prevention of sewage spills. Newport Beach has always taken a
proactive approach to maintenance and replacement of the wastewater infrastructure.
With an aggressive Capital Improvement Program and an active maintenance staff,
Newport has experienced a minimal amount of spills and those have been very minor.
These spills have most often been caused by tree roots or grease build -up.
To minimize the overflows relating to grease build -up, a Grease Interceptor Program
was added to the City Code in 1991. This program required all food establishments to
install grease interceptors and traps at their facility to eliminate or at least reduce the
amount of grease discharge into the City's wastewater system. The ordinance also
required a regular cleaning program. The 1991 ordinance was never fully implemented
or accepted by the food establishments, because of the magnitude of construction
required to install most of the grease interceptors, particularly those locations with
limited space. In 1997 the ordinance was modified to require the installation of grease
interceptors and traps unless a "Grease Disposal License" is issued by the Building
Director. This license currently has a $400 per year fee, to pay for increased sewer
cleaning. This license is granted "in -lieu" of installing an interceptor if it is determined
physical limitations to a property make the installation of a grease control devise
infeasible. The strict enforcement of this policy and any other grease reduction policy
will help to prevent sewer spills caused by grease build -up.
Subject Wastewater Operations Report
January 9, 2001
Page: 4
The other main cause of sewer blockages is the growth of tree roots into the wastewater
system. In the older parts of the City - where there are mature trees - roots grow into
the sewer mains or laterals through joints and cracks and create a barrier for the solids
in the wastewater, which eventually collect to the point that a blockage occurs. These
blockages can affect both the City and /or the customer parts of the system.
Spill Contingency Plan — In 1988, the process of instituting a Spill Contingency Plan was
begun to control spills at wastewater pump stations. The plan identifies emergency
procedures to be put in place at all City pump stations, the normal operation of each
station, and which by -pass methods would be used for a power failure. By -pass
methods including portable generators, by -pass pumps and the use of Vactors are a
part of the plan. These techniques are used on a regular basis when stations fail or
planned outages occur.
If a spill does occur, members of the Wastewater Crew - as well as other cross trained
members of the Utilities Division - are trained to:
• Promptly respond to the location
• Immediately prevent wastewater from entering the storm drain
• Call and inform the California Regional Water Quality Board and the Orange County
Health Department
• Clear the problem causing the spill
Certification and Training - Most members of the Wastewater Section have at least one
certificate issued by either the Department of Health Services or the California Water
Environmental Association (CWEA). These agencies provide training and certification
for operators on the collection and treatment of wastewater. Many of the staff have
received multiple certificates or have higher -grade level certificates. In comparison to
other agencies, our staff is very well trained.
The Public Works Department, and particularly the Utilities Division, always emphasizes
the need for preventive and scheduled maintenance on the wastewater system. Daytime
and after hour employees know that prompt response pertaining to wastewater services is
essential and a necessity in an effort to prevent property damage and contaminated water
spills. The staff of nine is very resourceful and dedicated to providing a high level of
quality service to the City.
Respectfully S b itted,
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Don Webb, Dire
By: .
Eldon Davidson
Utilities Manager