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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7850 "o INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7850 ----- ------ July 8, 1994 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Subject: rm STATUS OF U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER TO ELIMINATE SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS In April, 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the City of Fort Worth to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) during wet weather. This order was subsequ6ntly formalized in an Administrative order tPwa-1 In September of 1993. This AO requires that the City perform evaluations, designs and construction projects in fifty-seven sewer basins within an eight-year schedule to eliminate chronic collection system , overflows. In addition to achieving full compliance by September 30, 2001, EPA also established interim milestone dates to measure progress. Failure to comply with the provisions of the order may result in judicial action including fines. EPA Region 6 published a draft SSO Policy earlier this year and has invited Fort Worth to assist in the development of a National SSO Policy. In January, 1994, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation commission (TNRCC) issued a Concept Paper for Sanitary Sewage overflows during Wet Weather Conditions as a prelude to future adoption as a state policy. The approaches taken by the TNRCC, although similar, are more detailed and stringent than those of the EPA. These two policies as proposed will require additional engineering analysis to meet the revised conditions and may significantly - increase the cost of the Program. An Integrated Wet Weather Wastewater Management Program (Program) has been developed for the expeditious elimination and prevention of unpermitted overflows in the collection system. This Program was developed to address twelve major issues that are critical to the success Of our response to the administrative order. The twelve issues are described as follows: 1. Standardization of sanitary sewer evaluations. 2. Wastewater collection system data management, storage and retrieval. 3. Policy objectives to address wholesale wastewater customer flow contributions. 4. Evaluation of construction methods and inspection practices. 5. Wastewater metering and rainfall data collection to prioritize resources and evaluate improvements. 6. Development program for disadvantaged business enterprises. 7. Quality control and financial planning. 8. Development of an enhanced long-term maintenance program. 9. Technical and legal review of existing proposed ordinances and policies. 10. Wastewater master plan update. 11. Alternative wastewater System designs. 12. Development of a water quality computer model. The initial phases of the work tasks associated with this program must be completed within the next twenty-four months in order to provide the ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7850 C,00TI July 8, 1994 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2 F 0 Subject: Ign STATUS OF U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER TO ELIMINATE SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS foundation for the overall response to the AO. The decision to outsource this engineering effort was based on the accelerated scheduled for compliance and the availability of experienced engineering expertise. The selection committee for the program management task was comprised of representatives from the City Manager's Office of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Water Department and Engineering Department. A representative from the Water and Wastewater Wholesale Advisory Committee also participated in the selection process. The request for proposals was advertised and the selection committee interviewed four consultant teams. Following extensive interviews of the "short-listed" teams, the Freese and Nichols Team was selected to provide professional management and technical services for the initial two-year period of the eight-year program for a fee not to exceed $6,988,650.00. Additional extensions of this agreement would be subject to authorization annually by the City Council. Additional benefits associated with the initiation of this agreement include: • Coordination of collection system improvements with plant improvements and the storm water management program. • Technical assistance to resolve the conflicting design criteria proposed by EPA and TNRCC; • Development of water quality data to support alternative wastewater facility designs that prove to be cost effective when compared to pipeline rehabilitation or replacement projects; • Timely development of Disadvantage Business Enterprise programs that can be utilized by other City departments; Continued influence of state and federal legislative efforts to reduce the financial impact of the administrative order. Bab Terre 1 City Manager BT:b ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ..............