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.
North Plant Improvements:
The construction permit ha...
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