PUBLIC UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the Water Utility Operations Staff Report
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DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
SUBMITTED BY: Darrell Blenniss, Director of Water Utilities
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Water Utilities Department continues to execute major capital infrastructure projects while maintaining high operational reliability across the second quarter of 2026 and into July. Significant progress has been made on the Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC) expansions, extensive water main replacements, and key regulatory filings. Financially, the department remains aligned with the fiscal year budget, with expenditures appropriately focused on essential infrastructure and personnel requirements.
DISCUSSION:
Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC) & Wastewater Operations
The SWRC division is actively managing a portfolio of multi-million dollar expansion and improvement projects.
South Plant Improvements:
● Construction is advancing steadily, with regular concrete wall pours for tank walls.
● Modeling initiatives resulted in a design optimization of baffle wall openings (from 4'x4' to 1'x1') to eliminate circular flow patterns.
● The first concrete pour for the pipe gallery sump pit is complete. Sulzer blower witness testing occurred in mid-July.
South Plant Grit and RAS Improvements:
● The RAS line reroute piping and valves are installed, and the Grit Pump Room base slab was poured.
● Note on Safety/Operations: The RAS line reroute pipe was struck during trench box installation for the Clarifier 8 RAS line. This marks the fourth process pipe impacted. A letter of concern was issued requiring a root cause analysis and a mitigation plan.
Biosolids Management:
● The new Biosolids Holding Tank is on schedule for completion by late November 2026.
● The new compressor and mixer have been installed, with partial start-up and training completed in July.
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North Plant Improvements:
● The construction permit has been submitted to the IEPA. The team is currently updating the construction sequencing and MOPO plans.
● The North Plant effluent sampler refrigeration cabinet experienced a failure and is being replaced by the manufacturer.
Regulatory Compliance:
● Seasonal disinfection requirements took effect May 1st.
● The Semi-annual Sludge Management Report and the Quarterly Sludge Report (April-June) were successfully submitted to the IEPA.
● A Source Water Noncompliance Advisory was received from the IEPA regarding positive total coliform results from Well 28. The well is being evaluated, and an action plan will be submitted within the 30-day requirement.
Engineering & Capital Project Management (CEECM)
The Engineering group continues to manage capital improvements, private development oversight, and utility locating services.
Locating Services (JULIE):
● Closed 8,467 tickets in July, marking a significant increase from the same period last year (2,587).
Water Main Replacements & Rehab:
● Active construction continues on Kings Terrace and Saybrook Phase III water mains. Maplebrook Phase II underground work was completed in July.
● The Ogden and Washington Water Main project faced delays; Ogden water main has been put into service, and Washington passed pressure testing and chlorination at the end of July.
● Ogden Phase II Water Main start of construction is postponed until 2027 due to IDOT permit delays and potential interference with the Ogden and Washington project and the start of the school year.
● The 2026 Lead Water Service Replacement Program began in June.
Facility Upgrades:
● Central Elevated Tank: Tank erection is ongoing, expecting completion in early September. The contractor has agreed to a $1,000/day liquidated damages assessment effective July 17, 2026.
● West Water Works and PAS 15E: Startup is complete; the contractor is performing final painting and landscaping.
● Northwest Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation: Construction is progressing well with anticipated completion by late November 2026.
Development Review:
● Performed approximately 200 ROW/residential/demo reviews.
● Conducted approximately 110 field inspections in July.
Water Supply, Distribution & Collection (WSDC)
This division is executing strong proactive maintenance and repair strategies across both distribution and collection systems.
Collections & Pumping (C&P):
● YTD Cleaning/Inspection: Completed 26,230 linear feet of CCTV inspections and 618,968 linear feet of sanitary sewer cleaning.
● Inspected 513 manholes and 194 sewer laterals.
● Completed July hotspot inspections and PMS cleaning.
Repair & Excavation (R&E):
● YTD Repairs: Addressed 60 water main breaks, 166 B-box repairs, 49 hydrant repairs, and 22 fire hydrant replacements.
● Installed 39 manhole upper structure liners.
Water Supply & Metering:
● Replaced 1,507 water meters year-to-date.
● Conducted 51 in-house correlation and leak detections, and 79 leak investigations.
● Achieved 91% compliance for backflow.
● System-wide chlorine levels remained good through June and July.
Technology & Automation:
● Significant resources remain dedicated to the VTSCADA project to modernize system-wide control and data acquisition, with efforts now focused on the Springbrook portion.
30-Day Outlook
● SWRC: Continued concrete work on South Plant improvements; preparation for grit pump room slab pours. Further interviews for the North and South Plant Tertiary Filter Design project focusing on hydraulic profiles.
● Engineering/Capital: The Southeast Waterworks Improvements in-house design is addressing review comments.
Procurement: Moving forward with RFP for the South Operations Center Expansion Architectural and Engineering Design.