Wastewater Treatment Update April 6 2021 Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater Treatment Update April 6, 2021

Wastewater Treatment – A Brief History Pre mid-1950 s 1955 -57 1960 s 1980 s Wastewater was discharged untreated to Hazel Run and Rappahannock River First Wastewater treatment plant constructed with primary treatment levels – apparently at a cost of $402, 000; treatment capacity was 1. 49 MGD. Secondary treatment was added thereafter. City asset listing shows additional major investment in the facility in 1967 and 1988 1991 Expanded to 4. 5 MGD with the addition of an oxidation ditch and other facilities that improved the level of treatment to biological nutrient removal levels and provided pumping capacity transferring sewage to FMC. ($12 + Million) for

Wastewater Treatment – A Brief History 2008 -09 Additional improvements ($4 million), including: - Replaced chlorine gas with ultra-violet lights for disinfection - Installed System Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system (for first time) 2016 -17 Replaced belt filter press ($1. 3 million)

Ra p pa ha nn oc k. R ive r Celebrate VA South E. E NN AV Caroline St. . ST FA SA ES C IN PR ILL H LL Interceptor Sewer Kenmore Interceptor Sewer Smith Run Interceptor Sewer T. I-95 ock ann pah Central Park Rap AS ELI AM LA Hazel Run Interceptor Sewer er M ST. TT YE FA B & G PKWY. . HWY ST. AVIS ON DIX JEFF D Spotsylvania Towne Center Riv D. LV EB WILLIA City Wastewater Plant County FMC Wastewater Plant

Wastewater Collection and Treatment – FY 21 Budget FY 21 Wastewater Fund Salaries and Wages Employee Benefits Purchased Services $1, 043, 000 $450, 596 $1, 099, 748 All Other Charges $468, 650 Materials and Supplies $339, 735 Capital Outlay $1, 444, 575 Debt Service $1, 556, 281 Transfer to Capital Fund $1, 900, 000 Transfer to General Fund Contingency TOTAL $315, 000 $8, 702, 585

Wastewater Collection and Treatment – Current Staffing Collection Water and Sewer Crew Pumping and Transmission 4 (eight pump stations) Utility Billing 1 (8, 200 accounts) GIS Analyst 0. 5 3 (Sewer Only) Treatment Full Time Employees Treatment Plant Administration 13 (24/7/365 operation) 1

Why Invest in Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Facilities? Current aged facilities must be upgraded/replaced to comply with current and anticipated future DEQ regulations Cleaner environment – Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay Positions the City to meet future demands on the system (growth – general and economic development)

December 12, 2020 – Staff reported that efforts to consolidate with Spotsylvania County had incurred obstacles and offered the following alternatives: Upgrade City WWTP to Achieve Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) – Maintain Current 4. 5 MGD Treatment Capacity: Replace Influent Pump Station (NET COST TO CITY: $51. 6 Million) Upgrade City WWTP to Achieve ENR – Expand Capacity to 6. 0 MGD; Replace Influent Pump Station (NET COST TO CITY: $59. 5 Million)

December 12 to Date City staff and consultants have continued efforts with Spotsylvania staff and consultants to achieve consolidation economically. q Efforts have not resulted in setting upper limits on City’s initial and ongoing costs and risks City, through the pending state budget, proposed a change to the City’s Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) eligibility to increase state contribution to City’s share of consolidation costs q Language was not included in budget General Assembly sent to Governor q City asked Governor to include in his proposed amendments to GA q Was not included in Governor’s amendments

Upgrade City WWTP to Achieve ENR – Expand Capacity to 6. 0 MGD; Replace Influent Pump Station Updated Cost Estimate (Low to High, With Mid-Point) April, 2021 Low Mid-Point High All estimates are in 2024 dollars $59. 6 million $63. 3 million $67. 0 million

An Additional Alternative Being Investigated Privatization of the Wastewater Treatment Function: Contracted Operation of the WWTP Design of Needed Improvements Construction of Improvements Financing of Improvements “MAY” provide the opportunity to phase improvements

Wastewater Collection and Treatment – Current User Rates

Wastewater Collection and Treatment – Future Rates Needed Most recent rate study – Consultant recommended a 10% increase in sewer use fees in each of five consecutive years, starting in FY 20. (Rate projections currently being updated. ) The first 10% increase was implemented in FY 20. No increase was adopted for FY 21 due to fiscal uncertainties associated with COVID-19. City Manager has proposed the adoption of the second of the rate increases (effective July 1, 2021) in the Recommended FY 22 Budget.

End of Presentation