Progress report — January 2002, Onondaga Lake Improvement

(ACJ Completion Date—7/1/02—Complete—January 2000)
Retrofitting a total of eight tanks was completed well ahead of the required ACJ completion milestone. The tanks are all fully operational with the new more energy efficient and effective fine bubble diffuser aeration system. Lower ammonia levels reported in lake corresponding with installation of new system.

Ammonia removal / phosphorus removal combined project

(ACJ Completion date for Ammonia Full Scale—11/3/03—on schedule)
(ACJ Completion date for Phosphorus Removal Stage II—4/1/05—ahead of schedule)
Construction progress continues.

Site preparation work continues. About 90% of the soil in the area has now been excavated and transported to Seneca Meadows and High Acres landfills for disposal. In December, Seneca Meadows landfill stopped accepting the soil without amendments added. For about 3 weeks, soils were amended with sand causing significant delays in the work and cost increases.

Options were evaluated and new arrangements were made for disposal without amendments. Overall, the situation resulted in an approximate 6 week schedule delay.

Additionally, massive underground structures including both concrete and timber piles were uncovered in the excavation work which required special efforts in removal and may have also impacted the overall schedule.

Steel sheeting was installed this month for the new secondary effluent pump station.

Dewatering (under contract 2D) is continuing and the system has lowered groundwater levels below the bottom of the excavation for the facilities. Pile driving (contract 3) will begin when sufficient area has been prepared. During January, the contractor continued to receive delivery of steel H piles and provide health and safety training and certified welding training for employees. Pile driving is slated to begin in February.

Contracts for general construction, electrical, HVAC and Plumbing (Contracts 4A, B, C, and D) were signed this month. The pre-construction meetings for these contracts were held on January 31, 2002.

This is the largest and most costly single project in the Amended Consent Judgment program and will have the greatest positive impacts on the water quality of Onondaga Lake by removing more ammonia and phosphorus from the Metro effluent discharge.

Digester modifications/chemical storage/digester cleaning (phase iii improvements)

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—ahead of schedule)
Close-out activities. Project close out activities continuing.

Digital system improvements

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—December 2001—ahead of schedule)
New system in operation. The new digital system is operational in all locations. Certificate of Substantial completion was submitted to NYSDEC. The contractor's warranty will continue through May 2002.

The County is continuing with training of staff to optimize the operators' use of the system.

Odor control and residuals handling

(ACJ Completion date—7/1/02—Complete—December 2000—ahead of schedule)
Project completed.

This project which was designed to reduce odors at the headworks of Metro adjacent to Hiawatha Boulevard is completed and in operation. Positive comments have been received from the public on a noticeable reduction in odors as a result of this project.

Phosphorus removal pilot project

(ACJ milestone date for completion of pilot—4/1/07—well ahead of schedule)
Final report in preparation. The pilot was completed in December 2000. Currently work continues on evaluation and analysis of data compiled during the pilot operation which tested a variety of phosphorus removal technologies.

The County is more than 6 years earlier than is called for in the ACJ in carrying out this pilot project

CSO projects

Clinton conveyances and regional treatment facility

(ACJ dates—Commence construction of conveyances and RTF—May 1, 2003 Completion of conveyances 5/1/07 and RTF 1/1/12)
Activities continue to finalize draft Facilities Plan. Activities this month include:

Meetings. Meeting held with representatives of the Rescue Mission concerning possible sites on west side of Onondaga Creek.

The goal of this project is to address the abatement of ten CSOs between Fayette and Adams Streets to be served by a Clinton Area Facility located near downtown Syracuse and the Armory Square area. The contract work currently underway includes preparation of a Facility Plan, which will evaluate alternative technologies to address the overflows and alternative sites for any treatment facility. The contract also covers preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual design.

Erie Boulevard storage system upgrade

(ACJ Completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Construction activities. Site preparation work including installation of electrical conduit was completed at all four of the Gate Chamber sites for this project this month. Instrumentation panels have been fabricated and are currently in storage. All gates have been inspected and found in generally good condition, however some repairs will be recommended. Pre-cast buildings will be brought to the sites to house control equipment above ground.

Meetings. Two construction progress meetings were held this month as well as a separate meeting with contractors on instrumentation and control systems.

The project involves upgrading an existing large diameter underground storm sewer previously constructed to store combined sewage in storm situations. Following a storm event, the combined flow would be released back to the sewer system for treatment at Metro. The existing system has experienced operational problems with control gates and is in need of upgrading to function effectively.

Franklin Street floatables control facility

(ACJ completion date—5/1/00—Complete—May 2000)
Facility in operation. This $4.7 m facility was completed by its ACJ milestone date of May 1, 2000 and is in operation. This is the largest floatables facility currently planned by the County and removes floatable debris from both the Burnet and Butternut trunk sewers to prevent their discharge into Onondaga Creek. Quarterly reports on their operation are filed with DEC.

Harbor Brook floatables control facility

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Response to comments sent to DEC. The County finalized a response to comments from DEC and forwarded them to DEC for approval on January 25, 2002. Currently waiting for DEC approval of construction documents so project can be bid.

Harbor Brook CSO abatement project

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Revision to be requested due to change from in-water project )
Facilities planning continues. Design engineers continue to finalize the draft of the Harbor Brook CSO Facilities Plan. Alternative technologies, alternative sites and potential combinations of alternatives are under consideration and evaluation.

Draft Facility Plan to be available for public review and comment early in 2002. Meetings have been held with neighborhood groups over the previous year to keep them up to date on the process being followed and the plan's development.

The purpose of the design contract is to compile a Facilities Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual design for Harbor Brook CSO Abatement. The project is intended to address the 19 CSOs, which enter Onondaga Lake via Harbor Brook.

Hiawatha Blvd. regional treatment facility

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete July 2001—ahead of schedule)
Construction completed and operational. Construction of all major structures of this facility is complete. The facility was operational by July 2001.

Kirkpatrick Street pump station upgrade

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Construction activities. This month, the contractor completed installation of the new force main on Kirkpatrick St. and continued installation of the new force main and storm sewer facilities on Van Rensselaer Street. Archeological monitoring was conducted in conjunction with this work. Also installation continued this month on the force main yard piping, equipment pads, architectural/roofing work on pump station and installation of interior conduit, lighting and electrical equipment at the pump station. The Kirkpatrick St. bridge was re-opened to traffic this month.

Meetings. Progress and coordination meetings for all contracts were held regularly throughout the month. Additional meetings were held concerning wet well construction between design engineer—EEA, CDM/C&S and the County to review construction management protocols.

Maltbie Street floatables control facility

(ACJ completion date—5/1/99—Complete May 1999)
Facility Fully Operational. This is the first floatables control facility completed under the Onondaga Lake ACJ program. The County is collecting operational data on this facility, which will be helpful in designing and operating other net bag operations that are part of the Lake Improvement Project. Quarterly reports are filed with DEC.

Midland conveyances and regional treatment facility

(ACJ completion date—Phase II RTF—5/01/04 & Phase III Conveyance—5/01/07)
County takes part in DEC facilitated meetings. County representatives continue to take part in weekly meetings facilitated by the DEC and involving representatives of the City, ASLF, the Onondaga Nation and other groups interested in the Midland project. Alternative technologies, sites, and visions for the area are under discussion.

95% design work completed. Design engineers have completed the 95% design documents for Phase II of the project which includes the RTF and 1000' of conveyance to the facility. These documents were submitted to the County for review on November 16, 2001 and transmitted to the State DEC on December 3, 2001. The County does not intend to finalize the documents to 100% until the County and City are able to reach agreement and/or the Federal Court orders transfer of the needed City property to the County or takes other action which resolve the issue.

Other alternatives proposed by members of the public and other groups continue to be investigated through engineering and cost analyses by the County and their design consultants.

Newell St. pilot treatment facility

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—pilot disinfection project completed)
Newell St. CSO investigated under Midland project. Abatement of the Newell St. CSO is currently being evaluated under the Midland Phase II and III design contracts with EEA.

Onondaga Creek floatables control facility

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Report drafted on status of boom modifications and seeding events. The design consultant, Parsons, compiled a report as requested by the County, including information of modifications made and results of seeding events held and submitted the information to the County for review. The system continues to experience buoyancy problems during storm events and further modifications and alternatives are being assessed. To date, over 2 ½ tons of floatables have been collected.

Sewer separation

(ACJ completion date—1/1/12—on schedule)
CSO 024 sewer separation construction completed. One of two previous combined lines in the Water St. area was relined and now transports wastewater only. The other combined line is now used for stormwater only. Close out paperwork to be completed. Connections were made and plumbing modified at two commercial buildings in the area to insure sanitary flow went to the new sewer only line. Completion of this work has eliminated one additional CSO on Onondaga Creek. From the start of the lake improvement program, the County has reduced the number of untreated CSOs from 66 to 57 which includes total closure of 4 overflow points by sewer separation.

Following a review meeting in September, the design engineers (OB&G) are reviewing and incorporating comments received from the County, its construction managers and the Corps of Engineers. Final design documents expected shortly.

Siphon rehabilitation

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—May 1999)
Work completed May 28, 1999 ahead of schedule.

Teall Ave. floatables control facility

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Construction completed. Construction was completed on this project in December 2001 and Teall Ave. re- opened to traffic on December 12th. The facility is operational. Remaining site work will be completed in the Spring. Closeout paperwork is proceeding. Operation and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings and punch list items being finalized.

West Street sewer separation

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—December 1999)
This was the first sewer separation project conducted under ACJ and eliminated 3 CSOs on Onondaga Creek by converting them to stormwater discharge only.

Ambient monitoring program

Summary of sampling program

Tributary sampling. Bi-weekly tributary sampling events conducted January 3, 15 and 29. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling dates.

Lake Sampling. The South Deep was sampled on January 23. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling date.

Other activities & meetings

River modeling group meets. Meetings were held of the River Model workgroup on January 16 and of the Monitoring Program Design Work group on January 17 with representatives of USEPA, the Corps of Engineers and the Lake Technical Advisory Committee also in attendance at both meetings.

Additional activities and accomplishments

County continues to work on Partnership activities with the Corps of Engineers. County representatives serve on the Resource, Project and Outreach Committees and the County Executive serves on the Executive Committee. Committees meet monthly.

Contracts

New contracts

Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal.
Contract with The Pike Company for general construction.
Contract amount: $36,983,800. Executed 1/10/02.

Contract with Edward Joy for HVAC work.
Contract amount: $2,840,000. Executed 1/18/02.

Contract with Burns Brothers for plumbing and fire protection.
Contract amount: $982,000. Executed 1/25/02.

Contract with Ridley Electric for electrical work.
Contract amount: $6,060,730. Executed 1/25/02.

Amendments to existing contracts

Change orders

Contract with James & Son to cover installation of a handicap ramp at the field office for Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal project.
Change Order amount: $1,388.00. Executed 1/10/02.

Contract with Resun Leasing to cover additional materials and signs at the field office for Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal project.
Change Order amount: $5,282.00 Executed 1/11/02.

Contract with C.O. Falter Construction Co. for additional parking and traffic signs on the Site Preparation contract for the Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal project.
Change Order amount: $14,314.00. Executed 1/15/02.

Contract with Ridley Electric for additional outlets, cables and connections at the field office for Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal project.
Change Order amount: $16,595.00. Executed 1/29/02.

Legislative action

Action items in the month of January

Upcoming for February

Approval of an Intermunicipal Agreement with the City of Syracuse for the Urban Best Management Practices program (BMP).

Funding

Grants

State Bond Act funds

Federal USEPA funds

Federal Army Corps of Engineers funds

Payments received this month from US Army Corps of Engineers:
Sewer Separation—Request #1 for $643,325.75 on 1/10/02 for aggregate total of $643,325.75.

Loans

The following reimbursement payments were received from EFC during the month of January:

Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Request #12 for $338,513.82 on 1/4/02, Request #13 for $5,515,390.38 on 1/18/02, and Request #14 for $100,163.85 on 1/31/02 for aggregate total of $20,935,396.20.

Erie Boulevard Storage System Request #1 for $100,049.74 on 1/18/02 and Request #2 for $334,462.29 on 1/25/02 for aggregate total of $434,512.03.

Franklin Street FCF Request #14 for $9,973.20 on 1/4/02 and Request #15 for $21,077.23 on 1/18/02 for aggregate total of $4,574,482.02.

Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station & F/M Request #6 for $61,433.74 on 1/4/02, Request #7 for $374,420.47 on 1/18/02 and Request #8 for $592,852.97 on 1/25/02 for aggregate total of $2,448,227.51.

Teall Ave FCF Request #4 for $322,632.62 on 1/4/02 and Request #5 for $211,967.17 on 1/18/02 for aggregate total of $852,509.69.

Total reimbursement monies received to date through EFC Loans for the funded ACJ projects: $46,595,483 (short term), $7,340,809 (long term).

Progress report — January 2002

Aeration system upgrade