Monthly report — November 2002, Onondaga Lake Improvement

Construction continues at accelerated pace on new facilities Placement of steel and concrete for the facilities is moving at an accelerated rate on the ammonia removal and ultraviolet disinfection facilities. This month, the contractor continued work on the phosphorus removal facilities as well with placement of slab on grade and forming of the concrete tank walls.

Approximately 17,000 cubic yards of concrete had been place by the end of November out of 27,000 cubic yards expected for the whole project. Process piping for the ammonia removal facilities is being installed, and work on the secondary effluent pump station continued with installation of the remainder of the base slabs and placement of the concrete wet well walls and header pipes. Work has also begun under the separate contracts for electrical, plumbing and HVAC.

Decision issued by U.S. District Court re: Midland project A decision was issued on November 20, 2002 by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. McAvoy, in which he found that the County had authority to condemn property owned by the City which is needed for the Midland CSO abatement Project. In the decision, the Judge granted the City's motion for compensation for the City and Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency, and the parties were asked to submit appropriate documents to allow the Court to determine the value of the properties in question.

Niagara Mohawk begins work in Brighton Sewer Separation area Niagara Mohawk crews began work this month to replace the old cast iron gas main with a new main and make changes in lateral hook ups to homes as necessary. With the cooperation of NiMo, this work is being done prior to the start of the installation of the new sewer by the County's contractor. By replacing the gas main first, it reduces the possibility of disturbing the old more vulnerable main and causing a disruption to services. NiMo work was slowed during the month by inclement weather conditions. The County's contractor is now slated to begin work in the area after January 1, 2003 and is estimated to take about 6 months. This sewer separation project involves about 8 blocks on the City's south side and about 100 homes. Residents will be informed as work progresses.

Kirkpatrick project completed and operational The new wet weather pumps were operational since September 8, 2002. During September and October, the wet weather pumps were utilized for 100% of both dry weather and wet weather flow. As of October 31, 2002, the replacement pumps and screens for the pump station have been operating as well. As reported in a letter to DEC dated November 8, 2002, the project was complete and fully operational prior to November 1, 2002 (the requested new major milestone date). Punch list and other evaluation activities continue.

Projects under construction

Ammonia/phosphorus removal project (Metro)

Forms for beams are in place at the construction site for ammonia removal facilities (Nov 5, 2002)

(ACJ Completion date for Ammonia Full Scale—11/3/03—schedule concerns) (ACJ Completion date for Phosphorus Removal Stage II—4/1/05—on schedule)

Construction continues at accelerated pace. Placement of steel and concrete is moving at an accelerated rate in the ammonia removal and UV portions of the facilities. Work has also started on forming of concrete tank walls for the HRFS (phosphorus removal facilities). The general contractor proceeded to conduct hydrostatic testing of the BAF tanks and sealing of walls as required for water tightness.

Electrical work continues. Installation of below-slab conduits continued this month at the BAF (ammonia removal) complex. Work was also continued on the main electrical substation.

HVAC work proceeds. Three new boilers were set in the low lift pump station boiler room. Temporary operation of Boiler #1 was initiated and the boiler successfully passed the initial operations on natural gas. It will be operated on natural gas until digester gas connections are made.

Plumbing contractor begins. Plumbing contractor, Burns Brothers, began work on site during November with imbedded items in the BAF/HRFS slabs.

Workers install the first layer of reinforcing steel rods in the electrical room (Nov 2002)

Dewatering continues. Dewatering (under contract 2D) is continuing and the system has lowered groundwater below the excavation of all areas needed. It is anticipated that full-scale dewatering and treatment will be discontinued by the end of 2002. Dewatering and groundwater treatment for miscellaneous trench excavations will be conducted on an as needed basis.

Process equipment continues arriving. Process equipment from US Filter/Krüger continues arriving regularly on site and is turned over to the general contractor for installation. Installation of nozzle deck slabs has started. Discussion has begun between the County and equipment manufacturer and the design engineer regarding the start up and testing of the BAF systems and installation of the media for the BAF.

The following meetings were held this month:
Construction progress meeting were held weekly on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Weekly meetings held between construction manager (CDM/C&S), design engineer and the County.
Modification review meetings held weekly.
Scheduling meetings held weekly with all prime contractors.

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.

Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station Upgrade (CSO)

Landscaping along Kirkpatrick Street enhances the pump station's setting near the Inner Harbor (Oct 29, 2002)

Facility fully operation. As of October 31, 2002, the dry weather replacement pumps and screens were operating. During September and October, the new wet weather pumps were operational since September 8 and were utilized for 100% of both dry and wet weather flow. Punch list items and continued start up testing and monitoring is underway.

Milestone revision requested. Because the project has expanded in scope since it was originally conceived in the ACJ and unforeseen hydrogeologic conditions have impacted the construction schedule, the County requested that the completion milestone be extended from July 1, 2002 to November 1, 2002 by which time the County anticipated the project would be fully operational. Decision on the revision request is still pending. A letter was forwarded to DEC on November 8, 2002, informing DEC that the facility was complete and fully operational by the November 1, 2002 date.

Brighton Avenue Sewer Separation Project (CSO)

Niagara Mohawk continued work to install a new gas main in the area this month. Work was slowed due to weather delays and the need for crews to respond to emergencies elsewhere. Work up to and including a portion of Brighton Avenue, Marguerite and a portion of Bishop will be completed before the County's contractor begins work on the sewers. Contacts with Niagara Mohawk were made throughout the month to continue coordination of the two projects.

County construction is now scheduled to start on this project in January based on NiMo's progress. The entire project is estimated to be completed in 6-9 months, weather dependent. New sewer lines will be installed and existing combined lines will be converted to stormwater use only. Lead water service lines encountered will be replaced by the County . Much coordination will be necessary between the County's contractor, NiMo, City Water and other utilities.

Projects completed

Aeration system upgrade (Metro)

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 operation of new system.

Digester mods/chemical storage (Metro)

Digital system improvements (Metro)

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 continued through May 31, 2002.

Odor control and residuals handling (Metro)

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 (Metro) (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.

ACJ interim projects

Status of ACJ Interim Projects with completion dates of July 1, 2002*
Evaluation of Siphon Crossings Evaluated and rehabilitated	Complete	May 1999
Hiawatha Regional Treatment Facility Part A 30-inch CSO interceptor Part B Regional Treatment and Storage Facility Part C Underflow Force Main and Outfall pipeline	Complete	July 2001
Newell Regional Treatment Facility Disinfection Tested and Report filed	Complete	July 2001
Teall Brook Floatables Control Facility	Complete	Dec 2001
Evaluation of CSO Toxicity Evaluated and report approved	Complete	May 2002
Erie Boulevard Storage System Upgrade	Complete	June 2002
Onondaga Creek Floatables Control Facility Skimmer boat in operation summer ’02 under contract. Long-term control will include purchase of boat by County.	Complete	June 2002
Harbor Brook Floatables Control Facility	Complete	July 2002
Harbor Brook In-Water System** Project changed, Facility Plan drafted
Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station Upgrade** Construction delays
As described in Appendix B pp. 10-12 of the ACJ—listed chronologically by date completed *Milestone revision requested

Erie Boulevard storage system upgrade (CSO)

Construction completed, system operational. System is fully operational. Project closeout activities underway.

Gate 1 of Erie Boulevard storage system improvements near Niagara Mohawk Building

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

Franklin Street floatables control facility (CSO)

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 (CSO)

Construction complete. Construction was completed and system is operational with three net bags in place. County personnel have begun maintaining facility. 15-month performance period has started. Punch list being worked on.

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.

Hiawatha Boulevard regional treatment facility (CSO)

Construction completed and operational. Construction of all major structures of this facility is complete. The facility was operational by July 2001.

Maltbie Street floatables control facility (CSO)

Facility fully operational. This is the first floatables control facility completed under the Onondaga Lake ACJ program. Quarterly operation and maintenance reports are filed with DEC.

Newell Street pilot treatment facility

Newell Street CSO investigated under Midland project. Abatement of the Newell Street CSO is currently being evaluated under the Midland Phase II and III design contracts with EEA.

Onondaga Creek floatables control facility

Trash skimmer vessel in operation in harbor. The County obtained the services of a private company, CNY Aquatic Harvesting, to collect, remove and dispose of floatable debris from the Inner Harbor beginning on June 7. Coordinated operation with officials from the Lakefront Development Corporation to coincide with the scheduled events in the Harbor. The response of officials and the public to the operation of the boat and its ability to pick up the floatable debris and improve the aesthetics of the harbor has been extremely positive.

DEC reviewing skimmer vessel usage. In a letter dated May 22, 2002 to DEC as per their request, the County provided a detailed summary of the pilot project, alternative solutions that were evaluated, and information on the County's recommendation to use a skimmer boat in conjunction with a boom in the Inner Harbor to provide effective floatables containment and collection. The letter concluded with a formal request for approval from State DEC on the use of the boat with or without booms as meeting the intent of the ACJ requirement for control of CSO-derived floatables in the harbor and Lake. The letter also contained a list of additional benefits of selective placement and use of booms in the harbor area. The information provided in the letter and the report filed April 26th are currently under review by DEC.

County looking into skimmer boat purchase for future years. Work has begun on collecting information for necessary authorizations and development of bid specifications for purchase of a skimmer boat by the County.

Siphon rehabilitation

Teall Avenue floatables control facility

Construction completed. Construction was completed on this project in December 2001 and the facility is operational. Project consists of an underground floatables capture facility consisting of an automatic screening device which directs floatables and screenings to underflow sewer channel.

Water Street CSO 024 sewer separation

Former combined lines revised. One of two previous combined lines in the Water Street area was relined and now transports wastewater only. The other combined line is now used for stormwater only.

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.

Appearance of West Street after sewer separation project

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.

Projects under design

Midland Conveyances and Regional Treatment Facility (CSO)

Report compiled on workshop on disinfection. A report was compiled on the CSO Disinfection Workshop sponsored by the County and held on October 15. (Click here.) The report summarizes presentations made and information presented. Copies of the report were distributed to local officials and interested groups and individuals. Presentations were given by EPA, DEC, Syracuse Research, Moffa/Brown Caldwell and representatives of other municipalities at the workshop.

View of the north HRFS (phosphorus removal), looking toward the southwest BAF (ammonia removal) cells (Oct 30, 2002)

Further preliminary designs developed and information compiled

The County and their consultants prepared a number of presentation boards and informational materials in preparation for a public meeting scheduled and held by the County Legislature on November 25 on the Midland project.

In addition, the design engineers began to develop a preliminary design for the County's current preferred option which includes a combination of vortex and below-ground storage in two separate areas—one at the original site and the other across the street.

Judge rules that County can condemn City property

The Honorable Thomas J. McAvoy in U.S. District Court, issued his finding on November 20, 2002 that the County has the authority to condemn City property needed for the Midland project. The Judge also ruled that the City and Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency should receive compensation for the properties. The County and City were asked by the Judge to submit appropriate documents to allow the Court to determine the value of the property.

Final Design work on hold

Design engineers completed the 95% design documents for Phase II of the project which includes the RTF and 1000 FT of conveyance to the facility and plans which were transmitted to the State DEC on December 3, 2001. The County will not 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.

Design of additional ten sewer separation areas being finalized (CSO)

Design documents received by County

Design documents were finalized and forwarded to the County for the additional ten areas in the City of Syracuse proposed for sewer separation under the ACJ. Funding for this design effort was through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Design documents for the Brighton Avenue and the Water streets projects were completed under this contract and finalized earlier so that projects could be moved along into construction. Water Street is completed, and the Brighton Avenue project is underway.

Projects in facility planning stage

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)

The following work activities were accomplished this month: continued environmental review activities for the Environmental Information Document, continued development of preliminary detour plan for traffic, and completed subsurface exploration testing on three preferential sites for the project.

The goal of the Clinton project is to address the abatement of ten CSO's between Fayette and Adams Streets 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 storage-treatment facility. The current contract with EEA also covers preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual design.

Harbor Brook CSO abatement project

Milestone revision requested. In a letter dated June 5, 2002 to DEC, the County provided a summary of the history and status of this project with a milestone revision request. The letter requested that all the ACJ parties agree to a stipulated modification of the ACJ that removed the in-water demonstration project from the ACJ and established a new minor milestone date of July 1, 2003 for submittal to DEC of a final Facility Plan. This letter was follow up to the County's presentation on the project given at the ACJ All-parties meeting held on May 23.

At All-Parties meeting held on July 26, this project and the need for a milestone revision was discussed. The draft Facilities Plan issued in March 2002 by the County indicates that the County cannot proceed with implementation of the in-water system due to the extent and type of contamination present in the area and the fact that the contamination is on-going. As the County has indicated previously to the ACJ parties at previous all-parties' meetings, the County feels these concerns make the project not technically feasible at this time; therefore a milestone revision is necessary.

The draft facility plan, which was released in March 2002 outlines and evaluates alternative technologies including the in-water system for abating and treating the 18 CSOs which release into Harbor Brook and identifies potential sites for CSO abatement facilities. The County will proceed with public participation activities with interested residents and organizations in the Harbor Brook area and could finalize the Facility Plan with a recommended alternative over the next year.

Ambient monitoring program

Tributary sampling

An executive summary of the 2001 ambient monitoring program was made widely available in November.

Bi-weekly tributary sampling events were conducted November 6 and 19. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling dates.

Lake sampling

Sampling in the Lake was conducted on November 7, 12, and 26. The sampling on the 7th was the weekly nitrogen sampling, on the 12th a double lake sampling event was conducted and on the 26th the south deep was sampled. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC and ASLF prior to all sampling dates.

River sampling

Fisheries sampling

Macrovertebrate sampling

During October, staff completed sorting the forty tributary screen samples. On October 14th, the samples were shipped to Aquatic Resources Center in College Grove Tennessee for identification.

Zebra mussel sampling

On November 20, County staff retrieved the caged and uncaged artificial substrate which had been anchored in the Lake earlier this year. The samples were shipped to a consultant hired to conduct a zebra mussel density assessment to calculate lake-wide mussel densities in the littoral zone.

Other activities

Draft monitoring report forwarded to DEC

On November 1, 2002, the County forwarded a draft copy of the Annual Report for 2001 for the County's Lake Ambient Monitoring Program to DEC for their comment and review. As a follow up, County staff met with DEC staff regarding their review and comments on November 20, 2002. The final report is due to be submitted to DEC in December.

Completion of the concrete slab for the HRFS phosphorus treatment tankage (Nov 5, 2002)

Contracts

New contracts

Amendments to existing contracts

Change orders

Contract with The Pike Company increased to accommodate wage rate differential from general to heavy highway on the Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Project. Change Order amount: $950,858.00. Executed 11/05/02.

Legislative action

Action items of the County legislature in the month of November

Actions items of the County legislature in the month of December

Upcoming for December committees

Funding

Grants

State Bond Act funds

Federal EPA funds

Payments received this month from Federal EPA Funds:
None to report.
Total received to date in Federal EPA Funds: $16,286,189.

Federal Army Corps of Engineers funds

Loans

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

Total reimbursement monies received to date through EFC Loans for the funded ACJ projects: $95,974,494 (short term), $7,677,996 (long term).