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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0207.000 2000-2002 010310 HIOOSEIL.WPD April 17, 2001 Mr. Dennis Lee Chief Engineer Department of Public Works County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mr. Lee: Subject: County of Hawaii (East Hawaii) Sewer System Maintenance Inspection Our sewer system maintenance inspection report for the East Hawaii District of the County of Hawaii is attached. No major deficiencies were noted at the time of the inspection on June 29, 2000. The age of the sewer lines in the system is relatively new which facilitates maintenance. Old sewer lines have had some root infiltration which have been repaired. Camera inspections aid in the evaluation of maintenance- requirements and schedules. Some infiltration has been corrected with the new link sleeve equipment and training provided. Receipt of grouting equipment and training of staff should help in the correction of additional infiltration. Although sewer user charges were last increased in 1998, there is a need to ensure that sewer user charges are adequate to support the immediate and long-term sewer rehabilitation work. Should you have any questions, please call Sanford Nakamura of our Wastewater Branch at direct toll free no. 974-4000, ext. 64294. Sincerely, i' 1. C.~ THOMAS E. ARIZUMI, P.E., CHIEF Environmental Management Division ~ o CoYnxn. No, SN:erm ~ p-`-, File No.~..,,_ _ G Vv Attachment ~ ~ A^ Ref. ~o: c:~Count Council Public Works Chair erson (w/re ort) EPA, Region 9 (Attn: Tom Huetteman, w/report)p ~~Pi1 Jl. SEVeIER SYSTEM! MlAINTENANCE REPORT BACICGIZOU~ I~AT°A County: Hawaii (East Hawaii) Date(s) of Inspection: 6/29/00 Inspector(s): Sanford Nakamura County Representative(s)/Job Title: Abraham Kagawa / Sewer Maintenance Supervisor TA Lyle Hirota / Superintendent Approximate miles of sewers in the system: 37 Approximate population served by the system: 19,858 1. Current status of deficiencies cited in previous inspection reports: Deficiency: Sections 21-5 (b) (1) and 21-5 (b) (3) of Chapter 21 of the Hawaii County Code, which are exemptions to the mandatory sewer connection requirement, should be deleted. These exemptions conflict with Section 11-62- 06(b) of the Hawaii Administrative Rules which states, "All building(s) generating wastewater and located within or near proximity of an available public sewer system as determined by the director, shall connect to the public sewer. Status: An ordinance was drafted to address these issues. Unfortunately, the ordinance was reviewed and rejected by the County Council. Deficiency: Long-term planning for sewer repair, rehabilitation and replacement appears to be in jeopardy as it appears that current sewer user charges are not sufficient to fund the work. The wastewater administration budget has recently lost $700,000 in general funds which had been used in previous years to supplement the sewer user charges; and determined by the director, shall connect to the public sewer. Status: Although sewer user charges were increased by 20% in 1998, there is a need to ensure that sewer user charges are adequate to support the immediate and long-term sewer rehabilitation plans. County of Hawaii (East Hawaii) Sewer System Maintenance Inspection Report April 17, 2001 Page 2 Deficiency: Infiltration problems on Kalanianaole Avenue need to be corrected upon receipt of repair equipment and training of staff. Status: Some infiltration has been corrected with the new link sleeve equipment and training provided. The additional infiltration needs to be corrected upon receipt of grouting equipment and training of staff. 2. Modifications/Additions - Planned/Present Construction Status: Rehabilitation of Hilo Bayfront lines by grouting - Repairs will be scheduled once chemical grouting equipment has been received and staff are trained by factory representatives in their use. Sewer extension in Waiakea Houselots - Construction is ongoing. Sewer extension in Paukaa and replacement of portions of the system - Construction is ongoing. Ci7RREN~' INSPEC'T`ION 1. Maintenance: The line crews goal is to clean at least 10 miles of line per year. Therefore, all lines in the collection system should be cleaned at least once every three years. 13.5 miles =~rere cleaned in 1999, which exceeded their coal. Problem lines are cleaned more frequently (based on maintenance history). The dated logbook is utilized to record all work performed by the crew, including: camera inspection, visual inspection, lines cleaned, and the type of debris found. The sewer maintenance supervisor transfers the information from the logbook to a maintenance folder. The supervisor also records the total length of pipe cleaned. Trouble areas are visually inspected monthly. These trouble areas are listed on the office blackboard. Camera inspection is conducted periodically to aid in evaluation of maintenance requirements and schedules. County of Hawaii (East Hawaii) Sewer System Maintenance Inspection Report April 17, 2001 Page 3 The sewer maintenance supervisor has the collection system area maps and is presently working on giving an identification number to all manholes in the system. The sewer lines are currently identified by streets and sections of streets. The collection system area maps are utilized to track the cleaned lines (with colored markers and dates). Link Sleeve equipment is currently used for spot repairs. Repairs are contracted out if digging is required. The county is in the process of procuring chemical aroutina equipment for the line crew. Bids for Chemical aroutina equipment and a TV van have been received. The Datastream MP-2 system is utilized in managing the supply of spare parts. 2. Staffing: One Sewer Maintenance Repairer position is vacant. The position has been vacant for a year due to retirement. Although maintenance has progressed as scheduled, filling this position should be considered. 3. Spills: There have been no spills as of the date of the inspection (6-29-00) in calendar year 2000. Only one spill of 50 gallons occurred in 1999. The amount of sewage spills had decreased in 1999 from the previous year. 4. Pra~ent Deficiencies: a) Sections 21-5 (b) (1) and 21-5 (b) (3) of Chapter 21 of the Hawaii County Code, which are exemptions to the mandatory sewer connection requirement, should be deleted. These exemptions conflict with Section 11-62- 06(b) of the Hawaii Administrative Rules which states, "All building(s) generating wastewater and located within or near proximity of an available public sewer system as determined by the director, shall connect to the public sewer;" b) Although sewer user charges were increased by 20o in 1998, there is a need to ensure that sewer user charges are adequate to support the immediate and long-term sewer rehabilitation. Continued annual requests to increase the user charge is recommended; and County of Hawaii (East Hawaii) Sewer System Maintenance Inspection Report April 17, 2001 Page 4 c) Some infiltration on Kalanianaole Avenue has been corrected with the new link sleeve equipment and training provided to staff. The additional infiltration needs to be corrected upon receipt of grouting equipment and additional training for staff. S MARY/RECOENDA'~Z'ONS We have the following recommendation: Continue assessing the condition of the collection svstem during cleaning. The sewer lines are currently identified by streets and sections of street. Listing the sewer lines as segments between two manholes is recommended. The condition of each segment can then be recorded. Maintenance can be scheduled by segments. 010311 HIOOSE4R.WPD