Accomplishments Report - 2000
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mEmORAnDum
(tom:
Dennis M. Kissinger, City Manager'
Don Hoff, Director of Utilities
. January 29, 2001
2000 Accomplishments Report
To:
Date:
Re:
The Department of Utilities consisting of the Water Division; Wastewater Division;
and Solid Waste' Division 'experienced another active year in 2000, devoted to
accomplishing our departmental goals. These goals are primarily focused on
enhancing customer service; the production and delivery of high quality water; the
effective collection and treatment of wastewater; the operation of a quality multi-
county municipal solid waste landfill facility; and maintaining budgetary control of
the Divisions. .
Attached is a report which summarizes each Division's accomplishments in
meeting the above stated Departmental goals.
Water Division
· The construction activities have been completed at the Water Treatment Plant
involving facilities designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VQG's) from
raw water supplies obtained from the downtown wells and to enhance our water
softening capabilities. These new facilities are fully operational and functioning
as designed. The harmful VQC's are being removed, allowing us to meet or
exceed all state and federal drinking water standards and the new softening
facilities allow a more efficient' utilization of chemicals involved in the softening
process.
· Additional warehouse addition was completed to enhance the
storage/maintenance facilities of the Water Distribution Section. This space
allows for more -effective storage of meters, valves, fittings, safety equipment,
etc.. Employees can now maintain accurate inventory control of these items to
insure adequate quantities are available to satisfy the needs of our customers in
a timely manner.
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· As indicated in our annual Consumer Confidence Report, distributed to all our
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water users, the quality of water produced at the Water Treatment Plant
exceeded all regulatory standards pertaining to drinking water. Water quality is
tested both at the Water Treatment Plant and at the customer's tap.
· During the past year, we continued our efforts to replace watermains, hydrants,
etc. that have high maintenance costs. Underground facilities that failed to
meet today's fire flow demands were also targeted for replacement. The new
school, construction projects (Oakdale, Coronado, Whittier/Cottonwood and
Lakewood) demanded considerable infrastructure, upgrades.
· As in past years, we continued the meter upgrade program designed to lower
the cost of reading water meters; assuring more accurate readings/billings; and
reducing our injury liability claims by replacing defective meter pits/lids.
· The management of the cross connection program was assigned in 2000 to the
Water Division. In recent months, the task of updating the tracking records of
installed backflow devices and the subsequent annual testing of these devices
has been the focus of our attention. A computerized tracking system is now
operational and the annual testing notification to owners of devices located in
commercial/industrial buildings is current. ,
We also reviewed the current city ordinances relating to cross connection issues
which could adversely affect the safety of our public water supplies. Several
text revisions have been identified for possible code modification in early 2001.
· Total operating expenditures of the Water Division were below the 2000 budget
projections and the water revenues exceeded budget projections.
Wastewater Division
· The Wastewater Treatment Plant continued to meet or exceed all of the effluent
discharge and biosolid criteria established by our regulatory permit.
· A pro-active maintenance program was followed to assure the facilities
associated with the treatment process and the collection system were
maintained in an effective manner. Customer concerns, such as basement .'
backups, odors, etc. were addressed promptly and in a courteous manner.
There was a noted decrease in stoppages located in public sanitary sewer
pipelines due to our accelerated line cleaning/inspection effort.
· Three (3) additional wastewater pump stations were installed to replace aging,
unreliable, pump stations. The new generation of pump stations also pose
significantly less hazards to our maintenance crews than the older units.
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· Biosolids (sludges), again this year, were applied to agricultural farm land.
Application in this manner has been demonstrated to be an effective method of
recycling all of the digested solids generated at the wastewater plant. An
excellent partnership has developed between the agricultural landowner and the
City to allow this beneficial reuse of the biosolids in a environmental accepted
method.
· Employees are encouraged to avail themselves of the training opportunities to
enhance their operational skills. The acquisition of higher levels of state
certification is also promoted. Wastewater Division employees presently hold
various positions of leadership within the technical wastewater organizations.
· The industrial wastewater pre-treatment program monitors firms whose process
discharges have the potential to cause interference with the normal operation of
our facilities or cause harm to our employees. In 2000, as evidenced by our
effective pre-treatment program, only one (1) industry was insignificant non-
compliance of their wastewater discharge permit. . This violation occurred
because the industry failed to obtain a discharge sample within the time frame
specified in their permit. No harm to our wastewater system or to the
environment occurred.
· During 2000, the Wastewater Division's totai expenditures were slightly above
budget projections due to increased activity associated with performing a higher
level of preventative maintenance of the collection system. Actual revenues
were also slightly below budget projections. .
SefId ~"'/aste Division
· An enhanced groundwater monitoring program was established to accurately
track the movement of contaminants originating from the old closed cells at the
Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility (MSWLF).
· The Solid VI/aste Division and the Salina-Saline Co. Health Department
partnered to establish a program to assure safe disposal locations within the
City for used syringes. Approximately 100 Ibs. of syringes were collected and
disposed of properly at the MSWLF in lieu of being placed in the normal
household waste stream. This new program provides extra safety protection for
. trash collection and MSWLF personnel.
.An underground booster pump station was installed to enhance water pressure
to accommodate domestic facilities and vehicle washing requirements.
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· New computer software was installed to provide a management tool to analyze
equipment oil samples. This analysis allows the early detection of contaminants
present in engine, transmission and hydraulic oils, in support of an effective
equipment preventative maintenance program.
· Our ability to perform routine maintenance duties such as mowing, litter control,
facility maintenance, etc. was enhanced considerably and overall moral among
the employees improved as a result of the addition of a full-time maintenance
worker to the staff.
· Runoff controls and other agricultural land improvements were accomplished to
benefit the surrounding farmland. Soil erosion was reduced and more effective
stormwater drainage patterns were developed.
· Engineering studies were initiated to evaluate the quantities and effects of
landfill gases generated at our facility. At this time, it has not been determined if
any gas control infrastructure will be required to satisfy the newly enforced
regulations. This determination will be made by mid-2001.
· Solid waste revenues in 2000 exceeded budget projections but were below the
revenues generated in 1999~ Decreased tonnages resulting from industrial
giass recycling (Philips); yard waste diversions; and industrial food waste
reductions (Tony's) accounted for a majority of this tonnage decline.
Expenditures were below, the 2000 budget projections.
· Bob Helm, Landfill Superintendent, serves as President of the Kansas Chapter
of the Solid Waste Assoc. of North America (SWANA). We are e.xtremely
pleased Bob has assumed this leadership role and encourage all of our landfill
employees to serve on solid waste committees or as Chapter officers.
Attachments:
· Water Pumping Record
· Regional Water Usage Summary
. Salvaged Tire Record
· Salvaged White Metal Record
· Landfill Tonnages
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