PUBLIC UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the Operations Staff Report - Period (01)
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DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
SUBMITTED BY: Darrell Blenniss, Director Water Utilities
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Department has completed the first month of the 2026 Fiscal Year. January operations were characterized by typical seasonal demands, including freeze/thaw cycles affecting water distribution infrastructure and cold weather impacting construction schedules. Staff continues to advance critical capital improvements at the Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC) and within the distribution network while maintaining regulatory compliance.
DISCUSSION:
1. Regulatory Compliance
• Clean Record: Springbrook WRC had zero NPDES permit violations for 2025.
• Filings: Semi-Annual Entry Point and Distribution Water Quality Parameter Reports, Quarterly Sludge Reports, and the Lead Consumer Information Notice Certification were successfully submitted to the IEPA.
• IEPA Notice: The Utility received a public notice requirement due to a monitoring violation caused by the IEPA laboratory failing to upload 2023 SOC data from Well 16. This notice will be included in the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report for transparency.
• Inspections: The Illinois Department of Public Health conducted a biennial inspection of the Microbiology Laboratory, resulting in zero deviations and recertification of key personnel.
2. Operations & Maintenance
• Water Distribution: Crews repaired 16 water main breaks and 7 B-Boxes in January. A pilot project for leak detection (Guterman/ZONESCAN) is underway in Olympic Terrace with 10 acoustic sensors installed.
• Wastewater Operations: The Influent Pump Station rehabilitation is ongoing; pumps 6 and 7 were removed, bases grouted, and reset successfully. Work has now shifted to Pump 8.
• Security & Technology: Staff is preparing for a March 2026 Cybersecurity Tabletop exercise with CISA. Deployment of new SCADA tablets and Windows 11 upgrades is in progress.
3. Capital Improvements & Engineering
• SWRC South Plant Expansion: Construction is underway. Work on the Grit and RAS improvements was briefly paused due to extreme cold but has resumed with damp proofing and insulation installation.
• Central Elevated Tank: Tentative erection start date is scheduled for February 16, 2026.
• Project Bidding: Several key engineering RFPs have been shortlisted, including Kings Terrace, Maplebrook Phase II, and Saybrook Phase III Water Mains.