Monthly report — February 2002, Onondaga Lake Improvement

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)

Site Preparation work continues. Excavation of soils from the main footprint of the new facility including all the deep pits was completed this month. Sheeting and bracing were installed for the 72" force main, the 84" outfall pipe and the secondary effluent pump station. Excavation for the outfall pipe exposed the 42" and 18" force mains on the Metro site and the mains needed to be braced and support.

Extraction of all the old timber piles which were uncovered in the excavation work was completed this month also.

Dewatering continues. Dewatering (under contract 2D) is currently underway for the secondary effluent pump station. Efforts to lower the groundwater in this area are hindered due to impervious subsoil conditions. Alternative dewatering methods are being pursued by the contractor.

Pile Installation begins. The pile driving contractor mobilized on February 4th with the installation of the first crane. Pile driving formally began on February 12th. During February, the contractor has set up a total of three pile driving crews; two using vibratory hammers and one using an impact hammer. Pile conflicts were encountered with existing sheeting and bracing in the by-pass pit and the UV pits. Coordination meetings between contractors, design engineers, construction mangers and the county have been held to determine future options.

Other Contracts. Contracts for general construction, electrical, HVAC and Plumbing (Contracts 4A, B, C, and D) were signed in January. All began attending weekly progress meetings on the entire project during February.

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)

Digital system improvements

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

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

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 During the month, meetings were held with persons representing and serving as consultants to the Rescue Mission concerning possible sites on west side of Onondaga Creek including use of Dickerson St. site.

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

Construction continues The following activities were completed this month: gate chamber sites have been prepared for delivery of above ground buildings, instrumentation panels and poles have been erected, a new submersible pump/flush mix valve was installed in gate chamber #1, gate chambers have been pressure washed, and weir construction has been completed except in CSO 080C. Installation of ultrasonic transducer mounting brackets is ongoing.

Pre-cast buildings are expected to be brought to the sites in March for installation to house control equipment above ground.

Meetings. Two construction progress meetings were held this month as well as a separate meetings 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

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

DEC approval received—bid package finalized. In a letter dated February 27, 2002, DEC approved the engineering drawings and contract specifications for this project and the County proceeded to finalize the bid package. The bid was advertised on Friday, March 1st and the pre-Bid meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 11. Bid opening is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th.

This project was consists of a floating net-bag collection system in the brook which included 3 net bags to trap floatables before entering Onondaga Lake. The project is estimated to take 3 months to construct and is on an extremely tight time schedule with a milestone completion date of July 1, 2002.

Harbor Brook CSO abatement project

(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Revision to be requested due to change from in-water project )

Work continues to finalize Draft Facility Plan. Meetings were held this month between design engineers and the County to review and discuss County comments on a preliminary draft Facility Plan and finalize the draft of the Plan.

The County plans to have the draft Harbor Brook CSO Abatement Facilities Plan completed in March. The County will submit the report to the State DEC and other ACJ parties and undertake further public participation activities to receive review and comments on the draft plan.

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

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

Construction Activities. This month, the contractor continued installation of the new force main and storm sewer facilities on Van Rensselaer Street. The following work was also undertaken this month: demolition of existing bar screen and concrete at pump station and installation of equipment pads; installation of interior conduit, lighting and electrical equipment and other miscellaneous demolition in the existing pump station as it is upgraded.

Issues this month concerned the dewatering and sheeting for the new wet well and coordination with construction related to Ammonia/Phosphorus removal upgrade at Metro.

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 and between construction managers and the contractor. Contract modifications expected which would require an increase in the current amount authorized for this project.

Maltbie Street floatables control facility

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

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.

In a letter to the State DEC dated February 12, 2002, the County Executive indicated that he had instructed the County staff to investigate and consider other alternatives, specifically storage, to the County's current proposed plan for the regional treatment facility. The County also agreed as a result of the DEC negotiations to evaluate the alternative of scattered storage facilities for CSOs in the Midland Service area. In addition, the County agreed to meet with a consultant (Ensource) hired by the City to review the County's plans and alternatives for the Midland project. Information has been provided and meetings held.

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.

Notice of Intent to Sue. In a letter dated February 1, 2002, the County notified the Mayor of the City of Syracuse, the State and USEPA, of its intent to sue pursuant to the Clean Water Act for violation of the general prohibitions of the national pretreatment standards.

Newell St. pilot treatment facility

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

Report to be filed on Pilot. The County is reviewing a report submitted by the design engineer on the pilot project including information of modifications made and results of seeding events. Following its review, it will be submitted to the State DEC.

The system continued to experience buoyancy problems during high flow conditions. The boom and basket were removed by the County on February 28 for possible modifications and evaluation of alternatives is taking place.

Sewer separation

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.

Design of additional 12 Sewer Separation areas. Design documents are expected shortly for the additional twelve areas proposed for sewer separation under the ACJ. The next areas slated for construction with the assistance of funding from the US Army Corps of Engineers are CSO areas 053 and 054 on the South side of the City.

Siphon rehabilitation

Teall Ave. floatables control facility

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

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

Year 2002 monitoring program submitted to DEC

In a transmittal dated February 28, 2002, the County submitted its Proposed Ambient Monitoring Program for Onondaga Lake and its tributaries to the State DEC for their review and approval. Modifications made to the 2002 program were based on recommendations from the County's previous Phase I report and input from participants in the Monitoring Program Design and the Biological work groups which met earlier this year.

Summary of sampling program

Tributary Sampling. Bi-weekly tributary sampling events were conducted 2/12 and 2/26. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling dates. The event on 2/12 qualified as a high flow event. A minimum of five such high flow events are required to be sampled each year. To date, two have been completed this year.

Lake Sampling. Winter sampling at the South Deep station was conducted 2/21. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling date.

Fisheries Sampling. This month, staff began reviewing and analyzing the diaries submitted by participants in the Year 2001 Angler Diary Program.

Activities underway to prepare for this year's program including changes to diary form.

Other activities

The fourth quarter Ambient Monitoring Program data was sent to DEC as required on 2/12/02.

Staff attended meeting with representatives of USGS, County Planning, Corps of Engineers about the Lake Watershed GIS project.

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.

In a transmittal dated February 12, 2002, the County submitted information to the State DEC with copies to the ACJ parties giving an update on the County's activities on the CSO toxicity evaluation which is a requirement of the ACJ. The results of the toxicity testing planned and the County's proposed plan to address any wastestream showing toxicity effects will be submitted in a report to the State by April 1, 2002.

Contracts

New contracts

Amendments to existing contracts

CDM/C&S. Contract with CDM/C&S amended for 2002 program management for
Contract amendment amount: $384,786. Executed 2/1/02.

Pomeroy Appraisal Associates. Contract with Pomeroy Appraisal Associates amended for real estate appraisals on Midland Ave & Clinton Street projects.
Contract amendment amount: $11,300. Executed 2/25/02

Change orders

Contract with C.O. Falter Construction Co. decreased for deletion of pipe lining for the Sewer Separation Project—CSO 024.
Change Order amount: ($59,302.00). Executed 2/27/02.

Legislative action

Action items of the County Legislature in the month of February

Approval of Intermunicipal Agreement with the City of Syracuse for the Urban Best Management Practices program.

Action items of the County Legislature in the month of March

Authorizing a permanent easement to NiMo for installation and maintenance of electric transmission facilities at the Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station at a cost of $1.00.

Upcoming for March Committees

Additional authorization for the Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station Upgrade and Force Main.
Presentation of Clinton and Harbor Brook CSO Abatement Facility Plans

Funding

Grants

State Bond Act Funds

Federal USEPA funds

Payments received this month from Federal USEPA Funds: None to report.
Total received to date in Federal USEPA Funds—$1,435,863.

Federal Army Corps of Engineers funds

Payments received this month from US Army Corps of Engineers: None to report.
Total received to date from US Army Corps of Engineers Funds—$643,325.75.

Loans

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

Franklin Street FCF—Request #16 for $15,276.91 on 2/7/02 for aggregate total of $4,589,758.93.

Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station & F/M—Request #9 for $63,203.37 on 2/19/02 for aggregate total of $2,511,430.88.

Teall Ave FCF—Request #6 for $40,190.98 on 2/19/02 for aggregate total of $892,700.67.

Total reimbursement monies received to date through EFC Loans for the funded ACJ projects: $46,714,154 (short term), $7,340,809 (long term).

Monthly report — February 2002

Aeration system upgrade