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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0436.001 2020-2022 Mitchell D.Roth Ramzi 1.Mansour Mayor Director Lee LordBrenda lokepa-Moses Managing Director Deputy Director County of Hawai"i DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 345 Kek0an5o'a street,Suite 41- Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Ph:(808)961-8083 - Fax:(808)961-8086 Email: coh�d�iehaMak ffpLu co u n ty �gqy CDn MEMORANDUM C- DATE: October 18, 2021 C—, TO: Maile David, Council Chair And Members of the Hawaii County Council 00 FROM: Ramzi 1. Mansour, D' ector - a\"em' nnt County of Hawai'i De t of Environm�entqalLgE SUBJECT: Communication No. 436: Update on Wastewater Division Priorities and Challenges Attached to this memorandum is a copy of a presentation to the Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management Committee on October 19, 2021, pursuant to the request in Communication No. 436. Please distribute to the members of the Committee. Att. RM/ps COMM. Ro. County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. To: Ref. Date 1 9 2021 PAM4 Nei 13, y -- tai men n pr' a irk ,yen �► � �n�ent of nv n -� a �� �"' • • •art„ • • •� k /l ��� �� � • �'8ter i i r Prio it es� � es � oW� yg � rya tfF �{, ' � ��. T` -� .� Kapue age in Repair!' DEM Priorities • Health and safety of the public and our employees. • Complying with all regulatory requirements for protection of our groundwater and coral reefs. • Wastewater Division's Budget should include funding for capital improvement projects/major maintenance projects, in addition to operations. • Creation of a financial program to operate and maintain a 24/7 operation composed of industrial facilities along with the necessary fiscal oversight, to ensure we understand the cost of doing business. Work closely with Finance Department to secure funds to make necessary improvements and to deliver environmentally affordable services. The `' Fatber " of Wastewater Challenges treat meet A p re Funding �� , C�/• � TO Co �C IofraS U ure �� Inertia �� e.[S",a,• Vin.r-!, �.,� '= f9 ....... `� ,.!?.G l,�y C�. �?� O. 4 f: '� "•,�6� '� •`. �a `` ..� L'I`• d.�,;o 055.°..J,.4: ., Cl pyo in p..'o 0 -w' �,I i0 `:,.� 1 . ..ca ° �• �..°G ar..° - a�0 {' Q a� © a a o a ar, _�•aad:aa p 6,,:.t�oo �°0W) .o c7 40 Q. t,�' p ap °"64�4�0an Q $ 4� 9 Q 0 001 q!' mo``'d' p Ca �" ....• - .:. ��. Qd �- a� �• pp app r.,p, jd ,° a ,?° s Q. p 0 p a o oo7a a�Gvo dti Now, q0 0 g0D000400,oq �� s�c va _a a° Q .000 oda c000�D °a01>.0004CJ4E� 0 13 QO aa y :. : tf Cxr.txxx7 a, - a I i. !7{7 ..,pa b ry¢ O t11"a'lJpe'a {}d D0 old G' a. `� °,,0 a ?l � (J�Q y � p[7 0 •q ey e°fi Pit 0p Q 9 d i5.tr Q 4OSJ 0 to a i'k, ° �};' C O t7" 2S Aman 0°6 0 ,cs s 00c" ri .-; W),`��,1'C 0 {�,, 0 .� rj ory O •6 n a y4rd [9 o p• a� c� O, � - p ad -r6a n Taw^ 4 �' pc, 0 ,- ^, o App „ a P Ov Dp 0 - ILI 0 0 0 0 y�C, k u 6 p nd ao D �n.isnall * A • .t ac "Igo , aloob ry 0 AdMb dhfl k77 &��"•4 .ai r J Y ,,. .� • 04. IN �M,slam:•xM u Major challenge 1 : Funding� Sewer Rate Payers: • Insufficient customer base • Implement strict development policies within the sewer service area(s) • Give tax incentives to developers to connect because eventually an increase in customers will result in an increase in revenue. • Explore cesspool/septic sewer rate fees. Major challenge 1 : FundingContinued� Federal and State loans and grants: • No guarantees • Takes a long time to process • Requires matching funds • Requires NEPA (EA/EIS) — very strict process • Impacts the debt ratio so it may be limited to certain amount Major challenge 1 : FundingContinued� General fund Subsidy: • Limited amount, no guarantees • The source for CIP and matching funds • The possibility of legal challenges Funding solutions ( Continued Enterprise Fund utilizes the potential for additional connections: • Great potential for revenue • Environmental protection • Increases potential for resource recovery such as methane gas, sludge, R-1 water • Brings us to the 21st Century • Easier to manage and control — the unknown becomes known Funding solutions Public/Private Partnership (P3) : • Requires new legislation • Addresses Konno v. County of Howai'i • Great potential for private funding • Allows for connection to private WWTPs rather than just Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) • Purchase connections and capacity within the private WWTPs and vice versa Funding solutions ( Continued Set up new environmental assessment fees: • Requires new State legislation • Complex but need to explore • Great potential for revenue • Everyone contributes Major challenge 2 : Regulatory Compliance Current and upcoming Administrative Orders on Consent (AOCs) : • Pahala and Na`alehu • Pretreatment Program • Sewer collection system • Cast iron force mains • WWTPs with no redundant treatment processes (Hilo, Papa`ikou, & Kula`imano) • Sewer Pump Stations installed prior to 1990. • The possibility of a ban on injection wells, may affect Kealakehe, Honoka'a, Kaloko WWTPs. RegulatoryCompliance : Pahala Na `alehu AOC • This is a result of failing to close large capacity cesspools and converting to a secondary wastewater treatment process. • Working with EPA and DOH to achieve reasonable timelines and systems, given the geotechnical investigation's discovery of extensive network of voids (i.e., lava tubes) at the Pa ha la WWTP site. • We are committed to completion and full compliance RegulatoryCompliance : Pahala LCC AOC • Notified EPA of withdrawal of FONSI per COH request • Complete purchase of 14.9-acre property for WWTP site • Initiating path forward following FONSI withdrawal : • Per EPA Request — submit updated workplan and compliance schedule impacts • Phased-in flow capacity and subsurface drip effluent disposal variance (requires HDOH approval) • Update the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) • Prepare new Environmental Assessment (comply with NEPA and HEPA) • Obtain re-concurrence on Section 7 and Section 106 Consultations • Community Outreach via newsletters • Complete Phase 2 Collection system design by January 2022. RegulatoryCompliance : Na `alehu LCC AOC • Environmental Assessment (EA) in-progress (only HEPA) • Updating Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) • Draft EA expected to be completed by August 2022 • Final EA/FONSI expected in August 2023 • Preparing Contract for Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation/Fieldwork (obtained SHPD approval) RegulatoryCompliance : Pretreatment AOC • This is a result of failing to have a program that regulates industrial and commercial users as per EPA 1983 mandate. • Just finalized the AOC with Mayor's Office, DOH and Corporation Counsel. • Requires funding and staffing • Requires a Pretreatment Ordinance to regulate discharges of industrial/commercial waste into public sewers (*Does not apply to residential users). • We are committed to completion and full compliance RegulatoryCompliance : Sewer Collection System AOC • This is a result of failing to have a program to manage spills, maintenance, and replacement of the sewer collection pipes that resulted in failure and spills into major waterways, and seawater infiltration to the system. • EPA is working with staff on evaluating the assessment • AOC will center on replacing cast iron force mains installed in the 1960s-1970s • Requires funding and staffing • We are committed to completion and full compliance Regulatory Compliance : WWTPs with no Redundant Treatment Processes • Hilo WWTP (-30+ years old) • Headworks — two trains: one train has been offline since 2013 • Solids Handling Dissolved Air Floatation Thickener — broken then converted to gravity thickener — unable to thicken waste sludge • Solids treatment via anaerobic digestion — • Boilers broken since 2015 — process not able to run at 98 F • Snails from trickling filter secondary process overloading digesters — unable to clean digesters with broken valves/clogged piping • 2020/2021 Condition assessment revealed the following: H I LO WWTP HEADWORKS ,1yv. F 1 _ Alt, ,ANLr r b ate- yl Headworks structural deficiencies Aerated grit chamber 19 y�M Ty :.v. .6^:�• '�'+ ���' yF x��f^' �._ +. 6 wp.LL r�r,w.y�► �,".� � ti� - �' H I LO WWTP TRICKLI NG F1 LTER/SOLI DS CONTACT PROCESS 0A A4 70 AL '* y 4y►a, �. was; Biotower pumps Solids • • basin snails 20 HILO DIGESTERS & SLUDGE DEWATERING u Ic w � re e Centrifuges Digester covers 21 86% OF ALL ASSETS AT HILO WWTP ARE CONDITION S (FAILED) OR 4 (REHAB REQUIRED) 2% 3% ■ Condition 1 No Defects Condition Z Minor Defects Condition 3 27% Significant Maintenance Required Condition 4 Rehabilitation Required ■ Condition 5 Replacement Recommended 22 HILO WWTP - ALL REHAB PROJECTS TOTAL- $86 . 1 M rr ,. /piiiv /po�� Headworks/Preliminary Treatment $12.8 Primary Treatment/Valves & Gates 3.3 Anaerobic Digesters 37.7 Solids Handling/Dewatering & DAFT 5.4 Odor Control/Ventilation 3.7 Biotower and Contact Basin 9.4 Electrical System 2.1 Chemical Handling Disinfection System 1.6 Secondary Clarifiers 3.9 Support Facilities (not incl. Electrical) 6.2 TOTAL $86.1 (1) Includes all "soft" costs to deliver a complete project including engineering, legal, administrative, and contingency. ENRCCI = 11650 (January 2022). 2024 North King Street, STE 200, Honolulu, HI., 96819 Regulatory Compliance : WWTPs with no Redundant Treatment Processes • Kula`imano WWTP (45 yrs old) • Secondary aeration basins (2) — one train has been down since 2015 • Secondary Clarifiers (2) — one clarifier has been offline since 2015 • Headworks Barminutor is broken — no other way to remove rags (flushable wipes) • 2020/2021 Condition Assessment revealed the following: KULNIMANO WWTP CONDITION „ 11 4L v 9 r M .Y Screenings Water leaking onto generator KULNIMANO WWTP CONDITION ti 6 y Plant growth on digesters Final settling tanks - actuators inoperative 26 65% OF ALL ASSETS AT KULNIMANO ARE CONDITION 5 (FAILED), OR 4 (REHAB REQUIRED) ■ Condition 1 No Defects !` 12% n Condition 2 Minor Defects Condition 3 Significant Maintenance Required 17°'/0 n Condition 4 Rehabilitation Required ■ Condition S :.l gip, Replacement Recommended KULNIMANO WWTP - ALL REHAB PROJECTS TOTAL $46 . 3 MM ESTIMATED COST PROCESSAREA ($ in millions) Headworks/Preliminary Treatment $6.4 Plant-wide Valves & Gates 1.6 Critical Equipment 2.2 Critical Support Facilities 17.7 Aerobic Digesters 11.2 Chemical Handling System 0.7 Secondary Treatment 5.1 Solids Dewatering 1.4 TOTAL $46.3 (1) Includes all "soft" costs to deliver a complete project including engineering, legal, administrative, and contingency. ENRCCI = 11650 (January 2022). Regulatory Compliance : WWTPs with no Redundant Treatment Processes • Papa`ikou WWTP (37 yrs old) • Headworks Barminutor inoperable • Secondary Clarifiers (2) — one train is down since 2019 • 2020/2021 Condition Assessment revealed the following: PAPNIKOU WWTP CONDITION y 4 ru Barminutor Aeration tanks, unsafe covers 30 PAPNIKOU WWTP CONDITION f a 4 1 «M y. .,a � w✓r�/ijl ; Sludge pumps Aerobic digesters 31 72% OF ALL ASSETS AT PAPNIKOU WWTP ARE CONDITION S (FAILED) OR 4 (REHAB REQUIRED) ■ Condition 1 a " No Defects w Condition 2 139'6 Minor Defects Condition 3 Significant Maintenance Required ■ Condition 4 Rehabilitation Required ■ Condition 5 Replacement Recommended lr 32 PAPNIKOU WWTP - ALL REHAB PROJ ECTS TOTAL $33 . 1 M �1� ESTIMATED COST PROJECT TITLE ($ in millions) Headworks/Preliminary Treatment $6.6 Plant-wide Valves & Gates 1.7 Critical Equipment 2.4 Critical Support Facilities 4.9 Aerobic Digesters 3.9 Chemical Handling System 3.3 Secondary Treatment 8.7 Solids Dewatering 1.6 TOTAL $33.1 (1) Includes all "soft" costs to deliver a complete project including engineering, legal, administrative, and contingency. ENRCCI = 11650 (January 2022). MajorChallenge 3 : Personnel Recruitment, Retention, Maintenance: • Statewide issue, but someone needs to take the initiative to fix • The pay is very low for seasoned engineers in the wastewater field, certified wastewater operators (Grade III & IV), and journeyman electricians • Recruitment process is too long and needs streamlining. MajorChallenge 3 : Personnel continued Resources, Tools and equipment: • Cannot execute staff augmentation or private consultant contracting due to Konno decision • Procurement limitation to emergency responses, which protect health and safety, and the fund allocation processes are too long and need streamlining • Implemented asset management program and ongoing training • Continuous software updates WWD accomplishments • Completed the facility condition assessments for Hilo, Kula'imano, and Papa'ikou WWTPs • Completed the consultant selection for Hilo WWTP Renovation and Upgrades — Phase 1 Design • Finalizing Design Contract for Pua SPS Upgrades • Preparing Design Contract for Hale Halawai Force Main Replacement • Preparing bid package for the perimeter fence project at Kapehu WWTP • I<apue Stream Bridge (Pa- pa'ikou) emergency sewer repair project is under construction WWD accomplishments ( continued ) • Reorganized the Wastewater Division • Negotiated the pretreatment AOC • Working with UH on demonstration cesspool conversion project ($49,000 DOH grant approved) • Working with the Coral Reef Alliance and the private WWTPs to assist and facilitate services to Puako • Working on securing a 1 MGD sand filter for R-1 water at Kealakehe WWTP • Pahala and Na'alehu property purchase, Phase I sewer collection completed, and continuing to work with EPA on the remaining deadlines • WIFIA grant application submitted for $49.15 million — pending EDA grant status update for Puna • PEIS Scope of work has been prepared . • Consultant selection process has been initiated and expect to be completed by October 22, 2021. • Expect fee negotiations, contract preparation, and NTP by January 15, 2022. • Planner V recruitment is currently being advertised . t w n u1Y .. IL w -771 OW 6 AWamura Francisco Villa Mark Gran w WWTP Operator Maintenance Mechanic Projects Supervisor Coordinator ,, "�