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Home My WebLink About2021-06-23 Director's Report DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION June 23, 2021 Agenda item 7 1. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE a. County Council(Since last report posted on 5/20/21) ITEMDESCRIPTION CURRENT STATUS Completed items Budget bills Bills 21 and 22 establish the operating and Approved by Council on final capital budgets, respectively, for FY 21-22. reading 6/3. Comm. 286Discussion on implementation of landfill tipping Discussion held in RAWEEMC on fee prescribed by the Department of 6/15. Environmental Management. Active item Res No. 143-21 Resolution urging the County Department Positive recommendation by of Environmental Management to ensure that RAWEEMC on 6/15. Possible destinations to which the County of H adoption by Council on 7/7. transports its recyclable waste for out-of-state processing abide by the environmental standards outlined by the Basel Convention 2. REQUESTS FOR UPDATES a. An overview of the $1 billion wastewater project list that DEM is pursuing via federal infrastructure funds. List the projects, cost per project, alternatives considered for each project, and timelines for completion proposed in the federal request or projected timelines for each project’s completion. Is the proposed $1 billion sought in the form of grants or loans? If both, please specify. (Gaffney) Response: See attached PDF and underlined comments below. b. DEM’s short-term and long-term plans for recycled water management and cost recovery. Does DEM intend to push DWS to handle the sale and distribution of R-1 water (as other counties do) or does DEM intend to manage those specifics of recycling from within DEM? (Gaffney) c. d. Residential fee credit issue discussed at RAWEEMC 6/15/21 Response: In addition to the primary discussion regarding the rate increase which is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2021, the Council asked questions regarding the removal of the “Residential Credit” that was previously in Chapter 20 of the Code. The discussion before Council revolved around the 1 possibility of the Credit being reinstated in some form. Council requested that the Department return to discuss options for possible replacement programs. e. Impacts of Council approved Budget 2021-22 for DEM, including life cycle assessment contract and funding a contractor to look into wastewater funding alternatives. Response: Solid Waste Division is in the process of routing a contract for a consultant to perform the Life Cycle Analysis. SWD is trying to make sure the contract utilizes FY20-21 funds. Top 2019 ISWMP recommendations – Status update 1.Conduct education, outreach, and DEM leadership participated in the “Revitalize public awareness Puna” community event on June 9 to address questions relating to solid waste, wastewater, and recycling issues important to the Puna district. 2. Regularly review and, when Ongoing. Parties are in active discussions with appropriate, renegotiate WHSL each other. contract 3. Conduct additional household hazardous waste collection events 4. Change County Code to allow small businesses to drop off recyclables at recycling and transfer stations 5. Establish goals that are expressed and See “Requests for Updates,” item (e), relating to measured in terms of environmental the Life Cycle Analysis, above. impacts and consider full life cycle impacts, in addition to tonnage-based landfill diversion or waste recovery goals 6. Develop County policy and Council committee provides a positive ordinances related to source recommendation to Resolution No. 143-21, reduction and recycling relating to the Basel Convention Other 2019 ISWMP recommendations – Status update 8-1: Reconstruct one or more recycling and transfer stations annually 3. SOLID WASTE DIVISION (No Update) 4. WASTEWATER DIVISION 2 As outlined in the presentation to the County Council’s Finance Committee on April 15, 2021, the Wastewater Division faces numerous fiscal, regulatory, and political challenges and seeks the Commission’s advice, assistance and expertise on ways to overcome these challenges. Efforts are being made among multiple fronts to address these concerns. Wastewater Division reports the following activities and invites comment on the following: 1. communication with the EPA, consultants from Brown and Caldwell, the Office of the Mayor, the Finance Department, and Corporation Counsel regarding the status of the closures of these large capacity cesspools. Knowing the challenges in meeting deadlines due to recent geological discoveries and issues with land acquisition in price tag agreed to by the previous administration for the design of the two wastewater treatment plants, we are supportive of different designs that will meet the secondary treatment requirement of the administrative order on consent (AOC) without severely burdening the County with capital obligations. These meetings with EPA Region 9 are ongoing and we do assessment has been paused while these issues are being worked out. 2. Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant: The condition of the treatment plant has received renewed attention recently and has received site visits from federal, state, and county lawmakers. Wastewater Division has presented to Rep. Kahele a list of shovel-ready projects for island-wide that are in dire need of funding, should it become available. Wastewater has placed as its highest priority the design of a replacement for the biosolids digester and the headworks components at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. The new asset management program and the new positions will get us back on track to catch up on deferred maintenance. 3. County Budget: The County Council beginning on May 5 will receive an updated budget picture with certified real property tax values and will make amendments as they deem necessary. The preliminary budget released on March 1 included a request for 14 positions in wastewater division. These positions are necessary for the new Environmental Quality Control section that includes compliance, and the re-organized maintenance section to serve facilities island-wide. Besides the improvement of the Hilo WWTP, other proposals include upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities island-wide, pump station and force main upgrades and extensions of the sewer 4. Currently, working with a grant-seeking consultant who has identified possible loan/grant agencies to follow up with for possible funding. Actively applying for grant funds from USDA. 3 1.WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS A. Project Design is under re-evaluation with total project cost approaching $45 million. Discussions with EPA regarding estimated WWTP construction costs increasingfrom $14.6 million to $20.6 million because WWTP site has steeper slopes than predicted. Also, geotechnical borings confirmed the WWTP site has underground voids due to lava tubes. Unknown lava tubes will add additional construction costs should they be encountered during construction. EPA is trying to determine what effects these changes have on the NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) that was completed last March 2020. County has requested for an extension of the current AOC milestone “Design of WWTP” deadline approved by EPA on May 24, 2021 (using the July 24, 2021 backstop deadline for WWTP Design). • Current Schedule 11/04/20: Final AMP approved by SHPD (letter received 11/09/2020). 05/24/21: COH submits letter to EPA requesting for time extension to complete WWTP Design. 06/14/21: WWTP Land Acquisition via Condemnation (Re-doing Land appraisal) submitted to Court. (We are here) 06/24/21: Complete Design of Phase 1 Collection System. 08/06/21: Submit Special Permit Application (County acquires land to submit). 07/24/21: Complete Design of WWTP 09/01/21: Advertise for Bid - WWTP and Phase 1 Collection System. 12/15/22: Issue NTP for Construction Contract 04/18/23: o Final EA/FONSI was published with OEQC on 03/08/20. Also, the Draft Final AIS was submitted to SHPD on 02/26/20 and SHPD approved as Final AIS on 04/20/20. o Based on SHPD’s review and acceptance of the AIS, an Archaeological Monitoring Plan (AMP) was required. AMP was logged in queue by SHPD on 05/05/20 for review/approval. SHPD approval dated 11/04/2020 was received 11/09/2020. o The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) loan, County Bonds (CIP), and partially by a federal EPA grant. B. • The state-level OEQC EA completion is required prior to land purchase for the WWTP/disposal facility. because no federal funds are being used on this LCC project (note: if CWSRF funds are utilized federal cross-cutters are still required). • Initial archaeological, flora and fauna field work completed (11/2020). Section 106 and Section 7 consultation by DOH pending final area of potential effect for 4 all three CWSRF projects. AOC compliance completion of the final EA was originally 10/05/2019 which was extended to 07/23/21 at COH request on 09/26/2019. COH requested and EPA granted on 06/01/2020 another extension of the EA completion date of 08/27/23. • Project Design is under re-evaluation because total project cost was approaching $80 million, assuming UV disinfection and concrete lined lagoons. •The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) monies and County Bonds (CIP). • Current Schedule: 11/2020: Complete Archaeology and Biology Field Studies. 10/2020:Field Study/Literature Review(FSLR) and AIS Plan logged by SHPD for Review. 12/2020: SHPD requests an AIS in the project area and indicates current proposed AIS testing strategy appears sufficient. (We are here) 09/2021: Observation of geotechnical survey to provide further information about project area geology and stratigraphy for Draft AIS anticipated 03/2022:Draft AIS to SHPD anticipated. 10/2022:Draft EAand Anticipated FONSI scheduled for OEQC publication. 06/2023: Section 6E and 106 concurrence anticipated from SHPD/SHPO. 08/2023: Final EA publication. 02/2024: AMP approval from SHPD. 09/2025:WWTP and Phase 1 Collection System Design complete. 09/2025:Anticipated advertisementfor bids-Phase 1 Construction. 06/2027: – Phase 1 construction complete. C. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Please see attached Table for the listing of CIP projects under consideration for the existing Wastewater Basins currently being served by the County. Both Nalehu and Phala are new wastewater service areas for DEM - Wastewater Division. EMC’s request for alternatives being considered does not currently exist for many projects where the planning level effort have not been initiated. For many of the repair/maintenance projects,effort is focused on repairing, renovating, and upgrading components of that respective facility (i.e., pump stations and wastewater treatment plants). For the CIP projects identified, the total costs are estimated at $915,545,000. 5 Notes Prelim/Hdwks Process Upgrades, Anaerobic Digester UpgradePrimary Process Upgrades, 2nd Phase of Solids Handling Fac UpgradesPlanning in progressDesign initiatedPlanning in progressDesign initiatedPlanning in progressPlanning in progressPlanning in progressPlanning in progress Jun-23Jun-24Jun-25Jun-24Jun-30Jun-38Jun-25Jun-24Jun-25 Dec-25Dec-25Dec-26Dec-25Dec-23Dec-26Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-26Dec-25 Nov-24 Complete Construction Jul-22Jul-22Jul-23Jul-21Jul-21Jul-24Jul-28Jul-22Jul-23 Jan-22Jan-23Jan-22 Jun-22 Sep-21Sep-21 Dec-21Dec-22Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-22 Start 500 4,0001,2003,0004,0007,8005,0603,5005,7504,6003,6004,600 50,00054,50065,00032,00026,00025,00010,40070,000 ЍЉͲЋЉЉБЉͲЉЉЉ 24,47519,00020,000 ЌБЉͲЎЊЉ ($*1000) Project Cost Hilo WWTP Basin Pahala WWTP Basin Na'alehu WWTP Basin Kealakehe WWTP Basin Hilo WWTP Basin SubTotal: Hilo WWTP Phase 1 UpgradesHilo WWTP Phase 2 UpgradesHilo WWTP Secondary Process Upgrade w/ UV DisinfectionHilo WWTP Biotower Pump Station Replacement & Snail RemovalHilo WWTP Centrifuge RepairsHilo Facilities Plan UpdateOdor Control Upgrade at Hilo WWTPEast-Side SCADA for SPSPua Sewage Pump Station RenovationPua Sewage Pump Station Force Main Installation and RehabilitationWailoa SPS Renovation & Dual FMWailuku FM Replacement, Wailuku Bridge & Pueo Bridge SewersRenovate Onekahakaha SPS and Dual Force MainRenovate Kolea SPS and Dual Force MainKaumana Gardens Collector SewerAinako Aina Nani Collector SewerAinako Interceptor Sewer Phase 2Kalanianaole Collector Sewer Phase IIEast-side Collection System Improvements (Ext'g)New East-side Collection System Improvements Pahala Wastewater System Na'alehu Wastewater System Kealakehe WWTP Headworks UpgradeNorth Kona SPS, FM, Hina Lani Grv sewer, W HI Bus Prk Grv sewerKealakehe SPS - FM and Pump Replacement, Odor Control Upgrade Design initiatedPlanning CompletedDesign at 90% complete Jun-24Jun-25Jun-23Jun-34Jun-22Jun-23Jun-27Jun-23Jun-27Jun-26 Dec-23Dec-26Dec-24Dec-24Dec-24Dec-26Dec-24Dec-27Dec-22Dec-27 Mar-22Mar-22Mar-22 Jul-23Jul-24Jul-21Jul-21Jul-23 Jan-23Jan-22Jan-22Jan-22Jan-22 Jun-23Jun-23 Sep-21Sep-21Sep-21Sep-21 Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21Dec-21 250500250300150 3,0009,1602,1003,7504,0008,800 2,0003,0001,0002,5004,0003,000 20,00015,60060,00013,500 ЋАͲЎЎЉ 15,500 ЋЌͲЉЉЉ 119,000 ЌЉЉͲБЌЎ Kapehu WWTP Basin Honokaa WWTP Basin Papaikou WWTP Basin Kulaimano WWTP Basin Kealakehe WWTP Subtotal: Papaikou WWTP Basin Subtotal: Kulaimano WWTP Basin Subtotal: Kealakehe R-1 North & South PipelinesKealakehe Facilities Plan UpdateKeopu Pump Station Renovation and Relocation (reappr.)Renovate Hala Halawai SPS and Force Main (reappr.)Renovate P19 SPS & FMLanihau SPS UpgradeWest side SPS SCADA UpgradeKealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 UpgradeKealakehe SPS Building Re-roofingOdor Control Upgrades at 4 West side SPSWest-side Collection System Improvements Paukaa New Force MainPapaikou WWTP UpgradePapaikou Clarifier Center Drive RepairsPapaikou Headworks RenovationUV Disinfection Upgrade & SCADA SystemKulaimano Aeration Basin & Digesters UpgradeKulaimano Headworks RenovationUV Disinfection Upgrade & SCADA SystemKulaimano WWTP Upgrade Honokaa MCC Bldg RepairsPerimeter Security FenceWWTP Renovation Repair of Ext'g facilities until Rehab workRepair of Ext'g facilities until Rehab work Jun-27Jun-27 Jul-22Jul-22 - ЌͲЊЎЉ 20,00040,000 ЏЉͲЉЉЉ ВЊЎͲЎЍЎ υ Corrosion Repairs TOTAL: Corrosion Repairs Subtotal: Kapehu WWTP Basin Subtotal: West side RepairsEast side Repairs