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Wastewater Initiatives
Wastewater Initiatives
| Consent Order |
| In 2007 the Virginia State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) enacted a regional Consent Order upon all of the Hampton Roads municipalities and HRSD in order to reduce and eliminate Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO’s). This action over seen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been going on for numerous years throughout the United States. The order has required the localities to study and analyze their individual sewer flows in their systems, model these flows with advanced software programs, eliminate Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) or more commonly known as stormwater or groundwater intrusion into the sewer system, identify and replace/repair the aged, broken, and inefficient infrastructure components in the system, and update and refine existing management, operational, and maintenance programs that ensure an efficiently run sanitary sewer system. We are currently in our 4th year of the order and in 2012 The City of Newport News will be submitting a master rehabilitation program of repairs and replacement work for our entire sanitary sewer system to the State DEQ for approval and enactment. We believe this program will require 15 to 20 years or more to complete and require a sizeable increase in the sewer user fees to fund it. Upon completion we will also need to maintain the upgraded sewer system at the new standards within the DEQ’s regulatory environment. |
| SCADA System |  |
| The latest upgrade in the City’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition technology (SCADA) system is in the final stage of analysis and review prior to finalization. These systems are utilized for monitoring and measuring operating conditions in pump stations. Unlike in-plant process control systems, our SCADA system includes a remote telecommunications link. The realtime measurements and controls at our pump stations are transmitted over the telecommunications link to the Public Works Operations Center which is located a great distance away. Our computers acquire the data measurements from all of the stations and present a complete dynamic profile of the entire process. A multitude of reports can be generated based on this information. The acquired readings are displayed and recorded in graphic and text formats and control commands can be transmitted back to the remote sites, either automatically or initiated by the Pump Station Supervisors or Lead Maintenance or Instrumentation & Control Specialists to effect changes in the process. |
| This new SCADA system will integrate existing and new systems to continuously monitor all sewer flows, wet well levels, system pressures, and overall condition of the pumping stations from our operations center in the Public Works Complex. It will also allow a significant improvement in system integration between our software and hardware systems as never before. In addition this will also allow our pumping stations to be remotely controlled by specialized computer technology as needed during severe storm events. |
Performance Improvement Initiatives |
| In order to further improve the quality of customer service to the City of Newport News residents and accountability for expenditure of funds the division has enacted performance measures or metrics reviews of the entire Sanitary Sewer infrastructure system components (collector lines, Pump Stations, manholes, etc), and the operational programs that support the system in its day to day functions such as, customer service, Information Management Systems (IMS), Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Program, Illicit connections, budget, etc. These reviews will ensure that we track the sewer system plans and programs that support and maintain an efficient and safe Sanitary Sewer system. |
Private Property Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) reduction |
| In order to reduce as much I/I from the total sewer system (public and private) and thus reduce SSO’s within the City of Newport News the Wastewater Division will be monitoring the sewer flows from private property sources such as Apartment Complexes, Trailer Courts, Industrial complexes, etc. This ‘flow monitoring’ will allow the city to electronically track and analyze sewer flows on dry and wet weather days to reveal which systems have the fewest leaks and are the most efficient and those which are very inefficient with the most leaks. Accordingly the City of Newport News will be working with these establishments to ensure corrections to their systems take place and reduce their I/I volumes to the lowest level possible. |
Pump Station Service Area Analysis Program |
| In 2005 the division redesigned its system analysis process to establish an improved program that will analyze the City of Newport News Sanitary Sewer (SS) System within Pump Station Service Areas. This will be done with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras analyzing the SS mainlines and lateral system to also include manholes. In addition all of these lateral line locations will be documented with GPS/GIS data equipment to ensure the accurate and complete location and specifications for all lateral lines is saved within the City of Newport News database systems. In addition all found problems would be repaired or replaced by wastewater maintenance crews or be programmed to be replaced with the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). |
Sanitary Sewer Mapping and Database Management Program |
| Now in its third phase of work completion of approximately 85% of the City of Newport News SS system will have been digitally mapped and recorded upon completion of this phase of the project. This program is designed to use the latest in sewer mapping technology through Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems and enhanced data based management. Contractors are used to completely map sewer service areas, identify potential mainline problems, and populate our information database. This ongoing program will result in a more efficient use of our resources and personnel to maintain and upgrade the City of Newport News SS system. |
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Initative |
| The Wastewater Division’s Inspector has begun initial and follow-up inspections for Approximately 1000 Food Service Establishments (FSE) within the City of Newport News. The intent of the program is to primarily educate and train the FSE’s staff in best kitchen practices to reduce and eliminate as much FOG from entering the sanitary sewer system which often causes SSO’s. The city has online access for all FSE’s to be trained and certified in ‘Best Kitchen Practices‘, see the link below. The inspections will also ensure the proper elimination of the FOG from the facilities and the documentation of where it went. Significant reduction of FOGs to the SS system will greatly reduce the number and severity of SSO' s and improve the health and safety of the residents of the City of Newport News. |
| Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Resources |
