Monthly report — March 2002
Aeration system upgrade
(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)
Site preparation work nearly completed.
Excavation and backfilling (Contract 2A) is completed
with the exception of some minor excavation in the
vicinity of the existing underground force mains. All
necessary sheeting and bracing is completed.
Installation of the 72´´ and 84´´ force mains are the
last significant work item under the site preparation
contract. The electrical site preparation contract
work (Contract 2B) is complete and the contract is
being closed out.
Dewatering continues.
Dewatering (under contract 2D) is continuing and the
system has lowered groundwater below the excavation of
all areas needed. The dewatering contractor has
increased the capacity of the dewatering and treatment
system to meet the needs of the project.
Pile driving proceeding.
The pile driving contractor mobilized on February 4th
with the installation of the first crane and has now
increased to 4 pile driving cranes operating full
time. Over 300 piles are now installed which is about
1/3 of the entire contract.
Other contracts.
Contracts for general construction, electrical, HVAC
and Plumbing (Contracts 4A, B, C, and D) were signed
in January. Project schedules have been developed and
are being modified to attempt to recover lost time.
Construction starts on these projects have been
delayed due to late completion of the site preparation
contract and subsequent delay in the start of pile
installation.
Meetings held.
The following meetings were held this month:
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Construction progress meeting held biweekly on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
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Coordination meetings with CDM/C&S, EEA and the County held weekly.
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Status meetings held weekly by construction manager with County and Design Engineer.
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.
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 Blvd. 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.
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)
Draft facilities plan finalized and distributed.
This month the draft Facilities Plan was finalized and
copies began to be distributed to interested parties.
The Plan was described and given to members of the
Environmental Protection Committee of the County
Legislature on March 12th and released to the press.
News media coverage in newspaper and television were
received.
Follow up meetings with interested groups began
this month and will be scheduled in the coming months
with a formal public informational meeting planned for
early May.
Additional activities.
Completed the Phase 1A Literature search for the recent
Dickerson St. site east option and continued
environmental review activities for the Facilities
Plan.
The goal of this project is to address the abatement
of ten CSOs between Fayette and Adams Sts. to be
served by a Clinton Area Facility located near
downtown Syracuse. The Facilities Plan evaluates
alternative technologies to address the overflows and
alternative sites for a treatment facility. The
current contract with EEA also covers preparation of
an Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual
design.
Erie Blvd. storage system upgrade
(ACJ Completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Construction continues.
The following activities were accomplished this month:
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Gate chamber buildings have been installed at all four sites.
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Masons have begun applying bricks to the building exteriors (colors selected to blend with surroundings).
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Building service entrances, electrical panels and light fixtures have been installed.
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CSO instrumentation panels and poles have been inspected and some have been energized.
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Also gate restoration is completed, base plates for hydraulic cylinders installed, weir construction completed at all but one site, and control panels and antennas have been installed at the Civic Center and Metro.
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Installation of gate chamber transducers and hydraulic cylinder, power pack and gate control panel installation is continuing.
Meetings.
Five construction progress meetings were held this
month. 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 St. 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)
Bids opened.
The bid on this project was advertised on Friday,
March 1st and the pre-bid meeting held on Monday,
March 11. Bids were opened Wednesday, March 20th and
the Notice of Intent to Award was sent to apparent low
bidder, C.O. Falter on March 29, 2002. The
pre-construction meeting is slated for April 11 and
the contractor is currently working on submitting all
the necessary documentation to allow the contract to
be finalized. 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.
This project consists of a floating net-bag
collection system in the brook which includes 3 net
bags to trap floatables before they enter Onondaga
Lake.
Harbor Brook CSO abatement project
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Revision to be requested due to change from in-water project)
Draft Facilities plan finalized.
This month, the draft Facilities Plan for the 18 CSOs
located along Harbor Brook was completed and released
for public distribution. The draft plan outlines and
evaluates alternative technologies for abating and
treating the CSOs and identifies potential sites for
CSO abatement facilities. Copies were sent and
delivered to local elected officials and interested
groups.
A variety of public participation activities are to
be scheduled including availability sessions, public
information meetings and presentations to local
organizations.
Both the Clinton and Harbor Brook Facilities Plans
were described at the ACJ All-Parties meeting held on
March 14th after their release to the County
Legislature's Environmental Protection Committee on
March 12th.
The purpose of this design contract was to compile a
Facilities Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment and
conceptual design for Harbor Brook CSO Abatement. The
Phase IA cultural resource investigation is ongoing
and a draft is expected shortly for County in-house
review.
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 St. pump station upgrade
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—on schedule)
Construction activities.
This month, the contractor continued installation of
the new force main and storm sewer facilities on Van
Rensselaer St. and upgrades to the pump station.
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.
Other 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 required an
increase in the current amount authorized for this
project from the County Legislature.
Maltbie St. 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 investigates storage alternatives.
In response to a request from the County Executive,
the County and its design engineers investigated
storage options for CSO abatement in the Midland
service area. Single and scattered sites were further
explored and information compiled and shared with the
County Executive and the organizations taking part in
the DEC-facilitated discussions. In addition,
representatives of the County and its consultants met
a number of times during the month with
representatives of Ensource (the City's new
consultants on the Midland project.)
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.
Milestone revisions requested.
In a letter to the State DEC dated March 12, 2002, the
County requested revisions to some of its current
minor milestones regarding Phase II of the Midland
Project. Revisions were requested for Phase II
milestones for site acquisition, submittal of
construction documents, start of construction and
completion of construction. In a letter dated March
27, 2002, the DEC approved the County's requested
revisions on Midland Phase II allowing more time for
site acquisition and finalization of design. The
County did point out that with these revised
milestones, there could be an impact on the overall
project's major milestone for completion of the entire
project by May 1, 2007.
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.
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 filed on pilot with DEC.
The County submitted a report to DEC on March 31, 2002
from the design engineer on the pilot project
including information on modifications made and
results of seeding events. The County will follow up
with a report which will include recommendations for
proceeding and meeting the operational milestone of
July 1, 2002. The system experienced 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.
Over 2½ tons of floatables were collected by the
system while it was in place.
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. 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
received and under review.
Design documents were received 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.
Next areas reviewed.
Design documents for the next two sewer separation
areas (053 and 054) were forwarded to DEC for review
and approval. In-house review also ongoing. These will
be the next areas slated for construction to be
underway this summer.
Siphon rehabilitation
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—May 1999)
Work completed May 28, 1999 ahead of schedule.
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 St. 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.
Summary of sampling program
Tributary sampling.
Bi-weekly tributary sampling events were conducted
3/12 and 3/26. Appropriate notification was provided
to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling dates.
Lake sampling.
Winter sampling at the South Deep station was
conducted 3/19. Appropriate notification was provided
to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling date.
River sampling.
None to report.
Fisheries sampling.
Staff began reviewing and analyzing the diaries
submitted by participants in the Year 2001 Angler
Diary Program. A total of 20 diaries for the Year 2002
program were distributed to participating anglers.
Macrovertebrate sampling.
None to report.
Macrophytes sampling.
None to report.
Other activities
The County hosted two days of meetings of the Lake
Technical Advisory Committee on March 4 and 5 at
LeMoyne Manor. Representatives of NYS DEC, USEPA, USGS
and the US Corps of Engineers were also in attendance.
The meeting included informative presentations and
stimulating discussions.
A presentation on the lake monitoring program and the
angler diaries was given on March 7 to the CNY
Bassmasters club.
The monitoring buoy was placed back in the lake
following the winter season. Data from the buoy on
water quality is again up and available on the County
Lake web site.
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. All Committees
meet monthly.
County WEP and Law Department staff continue to be involved in information
gathering on the litigation involving the City and the Midland project.
Devorsetz, Stinziano, Gilberti, Heintz & Smith.
Contract with Devorsetz for legal counsel regarding litigation involving
the City of Syracuse and the Midland Ave Project
Contract amount: $100,000. Executed 3/8/02.
Environmental Engineering Associates, LLP.
Contract with EEA amended for process modeling at METRO on
Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Project.
Contract amendment amount: $102,000. Executed 3/5/02.
Environmental Engineering Associates, LLP.
Contract with EEA amended for additional services for re-bidding of
Contract 4 on the Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Project.
Contract amendment amount: $32,000. Executed 3/15/02.
MPR Technologies.
Contract with MPR Technologies amended for ongoing
computer support and maintenance services. Contract
amendment amount: $10,000. Executed 3/26/02.
Contract with M.A. Bongiovanni Construction for safety training on
Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Project.
Change Order amount: $149,281.00. Executed 3/21/02.
Action items of the County Legislature in the month of March:
Granting a permanent easement to Niagara Mohawk for
installation and maintenance of transmission lines at
the Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station at a cost of $1.00.
Actions items of the County Legislature in the month of April:
Resolution calling a Public Hearing for increase of
$500,000 in the authorization for the Kirkpatrick St.
Pump Station Upgrade and Force Main.
Upcoming for April Committees:
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Information on Intermunicipal Agreement with the City of Syracuse for CSO 053 and 054.
-
Approving Resolution for $500,000 increase in the estimated maximum cost of Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station & Force Main Project.
-
Bond Resolution for $500,000 increase in the estimated maximum cost of Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station & Force Main Project.
State Bond Act funds
Payments received this month from State Bond Act Funds:
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Erie Blvd. Storage System—Request #9 for $245,849.71 received 3/29/02 for aggregate total of $581,134.34.
-
Franklin St. FCF—Final request for $382,805.30 received on 3/29/02 for aggregate total of $3,825,053.
-
Kirkpatrick St. PS & Force Main—Request #8 for $287,694.60, Request #9 for $453,532.52 and Request #10 for $48,350.58 received 3/29/02 for aggregate total of $2,463,270.60.
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Midland Ave Conveyances & RTF—Request #10 for $19,705.67 received on 3/29/02 for aggregate total of $1,866,230.79.
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Teall Brook FCF—Request #6 for $162,154.89 and Request #7 for $30,746.10 received on 3/29/02 for aggregate total of $788,796.25.
Total received to date in State Bond Act funds—$26,024,395.
Federal EPA funds
Payments received this month from Federal EPA Funds:
None to report.
Total received to date in Federal EPA 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 March:
-
Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal—Request #15 for $28,036.13 on 3/11/02, request #16 for $3,036,816.85 on 3/11/02 and Request #17 for $782,975.96 on 3/22/02 for aggregate total of $24,783,225.14.
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Erie Blvd. Storage System—Request #3 for $34,679.68 on 3/11/02 and Request #4 for $208,519.39 received on 3/22/02 for aggregate total of $677,776.35.
-
Kirkpatrick St. Pump Station & F/M—Request #10 for $808,451.18 on 3/11/02 and Request #11 for $588,603.28 on 3/22/02 for aggregate total of $3,908,486.25.
-
Teall Ave FCF—Request #7 for $75,858.87 on 3/11/02 for aggregate total of $968,559.54.
Total reimbursement monies received to date through EFC Loans for the funded ACJ
projects: $52,278,096 (short term), $7,367,033 (long term).
-
Continuation of weekly DEC facilitated meeting with City and others on the Midland project.
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Quarterly ACJ All-Parties Meeting set for May 23, 2002
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Site Acquisition for the Midland Project-Phase II—Revised from April 1, 2002 to October 1, 2002.
-
Submit construction documents for the Midland Project Phase II—Revised from June 28, 2002 to January 3, 2003.
-
Submit construction documents for Onondaga Creek FCF—Revised from January 29, 2002 to April 30, 2002.
-
Submit Engineering Report for Clinton Project—June 3, 2002—revision to be requested.
| 
Susan Miller, Project Deputy Director
Onondaga County Dept of Water Environment Protection