HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8643 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8643
'APATirk November 30, 2004
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 5
SUBJECT: Update on former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleanup and
rata Amendment of Related Contracts with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and Eagle Construction
and Environmental Services, Inc.
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information to the City Council concerning the
former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant site investigation, removal and remediation activities
and to advise the Council of two proposed contract amendments for technical services related to
the project. Staff will submit the contract amendments to the Council for consideration on
December 7, 2004.
In the late 1990s the City began performing studies to determine options for closure and reuse of
the former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant (RWWTP) located in Gateway Park, which
treated the City's sewage from approximately 1920 until the plant ceased operation in 1979. The
site consists of relic plant structures, including nine sludge digesters used in the wastewater
treatment process (Sector 1); an area formerly used for sludge lagoons (Sector 2); and former plant
areas that have been converted to softball (Sector 3) and soccer/rugby (Sector 4) fields. A map
showing the plant site and identifying the sectors is attached.
001�1f'he soils in the former plant area and sludge in the digesters have been sampled and analyzed for
the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals. Because the concentrations
of PCBs measured in soils in Sectors 2 and 4 exceed certain concentration levels established by
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the City is proposing to conduct remedial
action on these areas before any further use of these areas for recreational purposes. Based on
soil analyses in Sector 3, the softball fields have been returned to recreational use. To date,
analyses of sludge in the digesters in Sector 1 indicate PCBs at levels that would subject certain
layers of the sludge to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations requiring disposal
at an EPA-approved PCB landfill (or other appropriate method of decontamination or destruction).
Further testing will be needed to finally determine the total amount of sludge that would be disposed
of in this manner. Sectors 1, 2 and 4 are currently fenced to prevent public access. To cooperate
with applicable regulatory authorities in assessing the site and implementing appropriate remedial
actions, the City elected to enroll the RWWTP site in TCEQ's Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) in
2002.
On July 30, 2002 (M&C C-19180), the City Council authorized the execution of Amendment No. 6
to an existing contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc., increasing the contract amount by $1,100,000
to address essential work necessary to coordinate cleanup of the RWWTP in accordance with
TCEQ and EPA regulations.
The scope of work covered by Amendment No. 6 included assisting the City with the enrollment of
�the RWWTP plant site in the VCP; conducting laboratory analyses of sludge, soil and groundwater
samples; and preparing an Affected Property Assessment Report (APAR) to identify the PCBs and
_,'heavy metals, referred to by TCEQ as "chemicals of concern" (COCs), as required by the VCP.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8643
PATft I& November 30, 2004
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 5
SUBJECT: Update on former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleanup and
Amendment of Related Contracts with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and Eagle Construction
and Environmental Services, Inc.
Freese and Nichols submitted the APAR to TCEQ in November 2003, and received TCEQ's
comments in September 2004. Freese and Nichols submitted a response to TCEQ's comments on
November 16, 2004. Upon approval by TCEQ, the APAIR will be used as the basis for the
preparation of response action plans. The ultimate objective is to complete the requirements of the
VCP and obtain a "Certificate of Completion" from the TCEQ stating that the City has successfully
completed the cleanup.
On January 14, 2003 (M&C C-19422), the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a
contract with Eagle Construction and Environmental Services, Inc. (Eagle) in the amount of
$261,682.00 to assist Freese and Nichols, Inc. with a pilot test to collect and conduct laboratory
analyses of the sludge in Digester No. 9 at the RWWTP and evaluate the various waste removal,
management and disposal options. The pilot test, conducted in cooperation with Freese and
Nichols, Inc., involved clearing the property to obtain access to the digester, removing the massive
40cover from the digester, then developing a method for collecting a sufficient number of
1w",-epresentative samples of the three layers of floating, liquid and solid sludge contained in the
digester, to be followed by proper removal, management and disposal of the waste material. Upon
completion of the pilot test for Digester No. 9, Eagle will finalize plans and specifications for
removing and disposing of the sludge in the remaining eight digesters.
Laboratory analyses of the top-most floating layer of the sludge inside Digester No. 9 found higher
COCs than originally anticipated. As a result, TCEQ and EPA regulations and interpretations will
require removal, management and disposal of that material subject to more stringent handling,
transportation and disposal requirements and at higher costs than originally estimated.
The large volumes of the liquid layer of PCB-contaminated material in the digesters has also
increased capital costs by making it necessary to construct a treatment tank, which will be used to
filter PCBs from the liquid sludge so that the liquids can be safely managed in the Village Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Without construction of such a tank, it Would be necessary to
transport the liquids to a third party, commercial waste management facility, significantly increasing
transportation and disposal costs. To avoid inadvertently mixing the three layers of sludge, which
could further increase removal, management or disposal costs, the solid sludge in the bottom of the
digester will be sampled only after removal and disposal of the top two layers.
Previous studies estimated the cost of remediation of Sector 1 (digesters), Sector 2 (sludge
lagoons) and Section 4 (soccer fields) as $13 to $30 million. Probable construction costs are
uncertain because testing of the contents of the digesters has not been completed and regulatory
1� agency requirements and remedial action techniques have not been identified for all sectors.
However, at this time, it is estimated that probable remediation costs will total approximately $14 to
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8643
1, Geo-TE�*b November 30, 2004
T To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 3 of 5
x SUBJECT: Update on former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleanup and
lays Amendment of Related Contracts with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and Eagle Construction
and Environmental Services, Inc.
$16 million, consisting of$6.1 million for digester sludge removal and disposal from Sector 1, $4 to
$6 million for sludge lagoon remediation in Sector 2 and $3.9 million for installation of cap and
synthetic grass soccer fields in Sector 4.
The estimated timeframe for completion of the remediation is fall 2005 for the soccer fields; 2006
for removal and disposal of digester sludge; and 2007 for remediation of the sludge lagoons, which
is anticipated to be performed in connection with the Trinity River Oxbow project. The Council will
be advised if additional information or changed conditions affect the projected costs or timetable for
remediation.
On December 7, 2004, the Water Department will ask Council to approve two Mayor and Council
Communications for services related to the site remediation activities:
1. Amendment No. 7 to the Freese and Nichols agreement.
approval of the amendment will allow Freese and Nichols, Inc. to continue work to comply with the
TCEQ and EPA requirements regarding the handling and disposal of digester sludge at the
RWWTP. The scope of services will include six phases:
Phase I Services— Response Action on Soccer Fields
After reviewing six alternatives for the soccer/rugby field complex (Sector 4), the project team
recommended that the City proceed with the alternative that caps the impacted area with a
synthetic liner and installs synthetic turf over the cap system. The design also includes spectator
seating and a pedestrian pavilion. Total construction costs are comparable to other alternatives
evaluated, including excavation and disposal of soil as necessary to meet the applicable cleanup
standards. Long-term maintenance costs are much lower than alternatives evaluated that utilized
natural grass. Additionally, the use of synthetic turf as part of the selected alternative eliminates the
need for irrigation, which could be a concern for long-term integrity of the protective cap.
Construction is contingent on TCEQ approval of the response action plan (RAP); however, with
timely TCEQ approval, we estimate that the fields could be completed and open to the public as
soon as fall 2005.
Freese and Nichols, Inc. will prepare a RAP describing the selected remedial alternative; prepare
construction plans and specifications; assist the City in obtaining bids; prepare a drainage plan and
storm water pollution prevention plan; provide on-site representation during the construction
process; and conduct follow-up laboratory sampling and reporting activities to meet VCP and other
'regulatory requirements.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8643
November 30, 2004
} ° To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 4 of 5
x
a SUBJECT: Update on former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleanup and
lays Amendment of Related Contracts with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and Eagle Construction
and Environmental Services, Inc.
Phase II Services — Removal and Disposal of Sludge from Digesters
Freese and Nichols, Inc. will assist the City with coordinating completion of the Digester No. 9 pilot
test and complying with reporting requirements; prepare construction plans and specifications;
assist the City in obtaining bids for removal, management and disposal of sludge from the eight
remaining digesters; conduct laboratory analysis of sludge in each digester to meet regulatory
requirements for waste management and disposal; and conduct follow-up laboratory sampling and
reporting activities to meet VCP and other regulatory requirements.
Phase III Services— Response Action to Affected Property Assessment Report (APAR)
Freese and Nichols, Inc. will submit information to complete the APAR as required by TCEQ,
including follow-up well installation and groundwater sampling.
µr
Phase IV Services— Lake Worth Master Plan Management
Freese and Nichols, Inc. will provide program management assistance to improve water quality in
Lake Worth and the Trinity River Corridor and assist the City with coordination with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and other agencies in connection with implementation of the Lake Worth
Master Plan. Following the feasibility study, Freese and Nichols, Inc. will assess the options
available and identify the agencies to assist in the cleanup effort of the PCBs in Lake Worth, with
the uFtimate goal of being able to remove the fish consumption ban on Lake Worth due to PCB
contamination. Coordination will continue with the City, federal agencies, and other local interests
while the preferred alternative for PCB remediation is developed and implemented.
Phase V Services — Response Action in Former Lagoon Area (Sector 2)
Freese & Nichols, Inc. will evaluate remedial alternatives in coordination with the Trinity Vision
Riverside Oxbow project for recreational use of the former lagoon area; develop construction costs
for feasible alternatives; prepare a preliminary design and RAP describing the selected remedial
alternative required to meet VCP requirements; prepare construction plans and specifications;
assist the City in obtaining bids; prepare a drainage plan and storm water pollution prevention plan
for remedial construction activities; provide on-site representation during construction; and conduct
follow up laboratory sampling and reporting activities to meet VCP and other regulatory
requirements.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8643
Tit
November 30, 2004
le,
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 5 of 5
SUBJECT: Update on former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleanup and
Amendment of Related Contracts with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and Eagle Construction
and Environmental Services, Inc.
Phase VI Services— Riverside Oxbow Development Program Management
The City is coordinating with TCEQ, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to determine what
additional site activities or approvals may be required to implement the Riverside Oxbow project
and Gateway Park Master Plan. Freese & Nichols, Inc. will provide program management
assistance related to development efforts of the Riverside Oxbow project.
2. Amendment No. 2 to the Eagle Construction and Environmental Services, Inc. agreement
The proposed change order will provide for the additional costs necessary to comply with TCEQ
and EPA regulations and interpretations for the removal, management and disposal of sludge from
Digester No. 9. In addition, the change order provides funds for construction of a treatment tank to
remove PCBs from the liquid sludge so that liquids in the digesters can be managed in the Village
Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, rather than by transport and disposal in a commercial disposal
facility, significantly reducing transportation and disposal costs.
The former Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Frank Crumb at 817-
392-8207.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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