HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7612 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7612
,.q June 2, 1992
01 Mor To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Subject: Wastewater collection system overflows/By Passes
Hers
SUMMARY:
In April 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an order to the
City to eliminate overflows in the sanitary sewer collection system. An action
plan is due to EPA by June 7, 1992. A phased plan has been developed which will
bring the city into compliance with the EPA mandates within a fifteen (15) year
period. The cost of complying with this mandate is estimated to be $60,000,000
in 1992 value or an annual average cost of $4,000,000 over the next fifteen
years.
DISCUSSION:
The sewer collection system overflows at various locations due to wet weather
infiltration problems. As a result, untreated sewage flows into storm drain
inlets and waterways in violation of the Federal Clean Water Act.
Previously planning efforts for the Wastewater system has provided a multi-level
strategy to address the infiltration issue.
Those recommendations included:
1. Some expanded capacity for the treating of infiltrated storm water at the
treatment plants. (This expansion was completed in the mid 1980'x);
2. Continuance of the planned sewer main replacement program in selected
drainage areas;
3. Expansion of the collection system capacity to accommodate both future
growth and to provide "storage" for infiltration.
The recommendation continues to be implemented as identified elements to the
long-term solution. Additionally, the staff has formally documented the chronic
overflow areas and dedicated identified resources to make systematic improvements
in these targeted areas. This approach permits both a cost and an efficient
tracking capability of these efforts to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act.
The staff will be submitting a formal action plan in accordance with the EPA
mandated deadline. The plan will include all of the elements outlined in this
report and a schedule for meeting the fifteen-year time frame. These EPA
mandates to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act will require a significant
commitment and ongoing expense ($60,000,000 in 1992 value). However, with an
effective action plan and appropriate priority, these mandates can be achieved
in a cost-efficient manner.
The purpose of this report is to advise the City Council of the magnitude of the
issue a d e action plan to address the problem.
Bob Terrell
Acting City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS