HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.17.15 WRAB Complete PacketWATER RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
MEETING DATE: Monday, 17 August 2015
MEETING TIME: 7:00 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Municipal Services Center, 5050 E. Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80301
Agenda Highlights:
1. Call to Order (7:00 p.m.)
2. Approval of July 20 Meeting Minutes (7:01 p.m.)
3. *Public Comment (7:05 p.m.)
4. Information Item – Treated Water Distribution Monitoring (7:15 p.m.)
5. Matters From Board (7:45 p.m.)
6. Matters From Staff (7:50 p.m.)
Update on Wastewater Collection System Master Plan and Stormwater Collection
System Master Plan
7. Future Schedule (8:20 p.m.)
8. Adjournment (8:30 p.m.)
* Public Comment Item
Agenda item times are approximate.
Information:
Please contact the WRAB Secretary email group at:
WRABSecretary@bouldercolorado.gov
Packets are available on-line at: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov – A to Z, Water
Resources Advisory Board (WRAB), Next Water Resources Advisory Board Meeting
WRAB Minutes
20 July 2015
Page No. 1
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board / Commission: Water Resources Advisory Board
Date of Meeting: 20 July 2015
Contact Information of Person Preparing Minutes: Rene Lopez 303-413-7149
Board Members Present: Vicki Scharnhorst, Lesley Smith, Ed Clancy, Dan Johnson
Board Members Absent: Mark Squillace
Staff Present: Jeff Arthur, Director of Public Works for Utilities
Bret Linenfelser, Water Quality Environmental Services Manager
Chris Douville, Wastewater Treatment Manager
Michelle Wind, Drinking Water Program Supervisor
Christin Shepherd, Civil Engineer 1, Floodways and Greenways
Annie Noble, Acting Principal Engineer for Flood and Greenways
Douglas Sullivan, Acting Principal Engineer for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater
Cole Sigmon, Wastewater Process Optimization Specialist
Rene Lopez, Board Secretary
Meeting Type: Regular
Agenda Item 1 – Call to Order [7:00 p.m.]
Agenda Item 2 – Approval of the 27 April, 18 May & 22 June 2015 Meeting Minutes [7:01 p.m.]
Motion to approve minutes from 27 April 2015 as presented.
Moved by: Johnson Seconded by: Clancy
Vote: 3:0
Motion to approve minutes from 18 May 2015 as presented: Remove a typing error on agenda item 4 for
approval.
Moved by: Johnson Seconded by: Clancy
Vote: 3:0
Motion to approve minutes from 22 June 2015 as presented: Remove a typing error on agenda item 4 for
approval.
Moved by: Smith Seconded by: Clancy
Vote: 3:0
Agenda Item 3 – Public Participation and Comment [7:06 p.m.]
Public Comment: None
Information Item 4 – Pre and Post Fire Watershed Planning [7:06 p.m.]
Michelle Wind presented the item to the board.
Executive Summary from the Packet Materials:
The purpose of this memorandum is to update the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB) on the
city’s proactive efforts for pre- and post-wildfire planning, specifically related to protecting the city’s
water supply resources. Staff is not requesting any WRAB action at this time.
WRAB Discussion Included:
Discussions about Phase 1 conclusions, which areas are a higher priority in the
watershed.
Comments inquiring about the accuracy of the debris flow analysis with regard to
actual debris flows.
Discussions about CU’s mountain research station, in the watershed, and that their
involvement might be beneficial.
Comments regarding partnerships with other agencies such as the USGS and State
Forest service, and Boulder County.
Information Item 5 - [7:37 p.m.]
Wastewater Treatment Update
Chris Douville and Douglas Sullivan and other utilities staff presented the item to the board.
Executive Summary from the Packet Materials:
WRAB Minutes
20 July 2015
Page No. 2
This information item provides an update on the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) and related
programs / projects. The memorandum is organized as follows:
1. Summary of facility status and recent performance
2. Nitrogen Upgrades Project
3. Other noteworthy Capital Improvement Project (CIP) efforts
WRAB Discussion Included:
Discussion regarding de-nitrification plans and their potential air quality impacts.
Comments regarding “rag” use for the IBM lift station project. Infiltration inflow
problems. Working with IBM to source different “rag” materials. Using pumps that
can get the “rag” materials to the 75th treatment facility.
Comments regarding the head works screens repaired during the 2013 flood,
manufacturer repaired them under warranty.
Comments on infiltration mitigation costs, permit requirements and increased MGD
due to sustained high water table, post flood event.
Discussions regarding flow monitoring data with regards to infiltration inflow data
over the next 20 years.
Agenda Item 6 – Matters from Board: [8:23 p.m.]
1. Johnson
– Kossler Construction Update
Costly and delayed due to rain. Three weeks out. Significant change order to the
project.
- Ground water issue in Frasier
Issues have leveled out over the last 2 months.
2. Smith
– CU student interview request for class project – Smith was interviewed by the student about
water resources issues.
- Article about Colorado Water Plan and potential Yampa Pumpback project – discussions of
who would pay for it if Northern lead or input possible for WRAB?
Project input would be from new users of the system.
2. Clancy
- Impacts with construction on 55th, Google campus – causing any sewer problems?
Capacity for collections reviewed by planning and development services
One section of pipe may need to be upsized in area called “Frontier” north or Pearl
Pkwy, deferred at this time.
Agenda Item 7 - Matters from Staff: [8:27 p.m.]
Shepherd
Flood Mitigation Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology
Discussions regarding data used in FEMA models
HAZUS tool may have been replaced by BCA tool.
Cost Benefit analysis greater than 1.0, higher the cost benefit, better
chance of getting funding from FEMA.
Discussions regarding the increase in BCR benefits having to account for the first
floor uses of building, how many people it services, nearby critical facilities, and
other inputs to rate the benefit.
Discussions about using this model for the City’s assessments, and if this model
provides good data.
Tool used primarily for eligibility for FEMA funding
Arthur
Summer water usage is lower than projected numbers
Water main breaks
Upcoming City Council items
WRAB recruitment has opened to fill vacancy.
WRAB Minutes
20 July 2015
Page No. 3
Agenda Item 8 – Future Schedule [8:56 p.m.]
Upcoming meetings will consist of information items such as the following:
August – tour of the MSC facility
o 6:00pm tour start time with dinner included; 7:00 meeting time as scheduled.
Next several meetings will have informational items
Flood studies check in’s coming
Adjournment [9:00 p.m.]
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, by motion regularly adopted, t he
meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by: Clancy Seconded by: Smith
Motion Passes 4:0
Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting:
The next WRAB meeting will be Monday, 17 August 2015 at 7:00 p.m., at the City's Municipal
Services Center, 5050 East Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80301
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED BY:
_______________________________ __________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
_____________________________ ___________________________________
Date Date
An audio recording of the full meeting for which these minutes are a summary, is available on the Water
Resources Advisory Board web page.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/boards-commissions/water-resources-advisory-board-next-meeting-agenda-and-packet
C I T Y O F B O U L D E R
WATER RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: August 17, 2015
AGENDA TITLE: Information Item – Treated Water Distribution System Monitoring
PRESENTERS: Jeff Arthur, Director of Public Works for Utilities
Bret Linenfelser, Water Quality and Environmental Services Manager
Michelle Wind, Drinking Water Program Supervisor
Suzanne Givler, Water Quality Engineer
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this Information Item is to update the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB)
on the city’s proactive efforts for treated water distribution system water quality monitoring and
tools for optimizing water quality in the distribution system. Staff is not requesting any WRAB
action at this time, but the item is intended to inform future recommendations including the
capital improvements program.
BACKGROUND
The city’s treated water distribution system begins at the two water treatment facility discharge
points and includes: six storage facilities; three pressure zones; five inter-zone connections;
multiple pumps and pressure reducing valves; four hydroelectric generators; and 454 miles of
water mains. The distribution system is gravity-fed from the Betasso Water Treatment Facility.
Water produced at the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Facility is pumped into the system.
Historically, water quality research and regulations have focused on source water protection and
water treatment, but in recent years, emphasis has expanded into the distribution system.
Because of the size and complexity of the distribution system, maintaining the physical
infrastructure is a continuous task, as is maintaining continuous water delivery to customers,
ensuring adequate fire flow, maintaining water pressure, and ensuring optimal water quality.
Distribution System Priority Developments
In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a report from a study that had been
requested by the EPA on water quality issues associated with public water supply distribution
systems. The report identified seven issues most relevant to protecting public health and
maintaining the integrity of drinking water system distribution systems:
Information Item #4 Page: 1
1. Cross connections and backflow of contaminated water
2. Contamination due to storage facility design, operation, or maintenance
3. Contamination due to main installation, repair, or rehabilitation practices
4. Contaminant intrusion due to pressure conditions and physical gaps in distribution system
infrastructure
5. Significance and control of biofilm and microbial growth
6. Nitrification issues that lead to public health effects
7. Accumulation and release of contaminants from distribution system scales and sediments
The report also focused on risk characterization and identified optimizing metrics related to
physical, hydraulic, and water quality integrity. A subsequent 2010 EPA report identified and
prioritized related research and information collection needs, with the goal that completed
research would support future drinking water community risk management decisions including
guidance, best management practices, regulations, and additional research needs. The American
Water Works Association (AWWA) revised ANSI/AWWA Standard G200-09, Distribution
Systems Operation and Management, also in 2010. The Water Research Foundation formed a
new focus area in 2015 to define attributes and demonstrate benefits of intelligent distribution
systems. The EPA is considering how distribution water quality can continue to be addressed
during rule revisions as well as via non-regulatory channels, and is considering a Distribution
System Rule.
Regulations Affecting the Distribution System
Federal and state drinking water regulations to date, in general, have focused more on treatment
facilities than on distribution systems. Currently, monitoring requirements focused on
distribution system water quality include monthly bacterial and disinfectant residual monitoring
(TCR), quarterly disinfection byproduct monitoring (DBP), semi-annual lead and copper water
quality parameters monitoring, tri-annual lead and copper monitoring, and tri-annual sanitary
surveys.
Recent updates to the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations, going into effect in April
2016, reflect growing attention to the drinking water distribution system. Distribution system
related updates include: adoption of the Revised Total Coliform Rule, which sets a treatment
technique requiring systems to conduct assessments and identify corrective actions; more explicit
cross connection program requirements; a required chlorine residual of at least 0.2 mg/L in the
system in 95 percent of monthly samples (compared to the current requirement of having a
detectable level of chlorine residual); and storage tank inspection requirements for at least
quarterly inspections and comprehensive inspections at least every five years. The city does not
anticipate compliance issues with the updated regulations.
ANALYSIS – DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TOOLS
The city has been proactively implementing and upgrading distribution system tools to provide
real time monitoring of the quality of the water going to customers’ taps and to optimize system
water quality and operation. These tools help the city prepare for future regulations and better
understand the extensive system, and are identified in studies above as critical to maintaining
Information Item #4 Page: 2
hydraulic integrity and minimizing water residence times in pipes, storage facilities, and premise
plumbing.
Online Water Quality Monitoring
The city’s 2006 Water Supply System Vulnerability Assessment recommended continuous water
quality monitoring instrumentation stations in the distribution system as a means of providing
real-time warning of potential water quality contamination. Data from these stations can serve as
an early warning of water quality issues and can be used to improve system water quality
through operational modifications.
The city’s Drinking Water Quality Program, in cooperation with the Utilities Engineering group,
has installed continuously-monitoring water quality panels at five sites throughout the
distribution system which provide up-to-the-minute information about distribution system water
quality (Attachment A). Three of the panels are located at finished water reservoirs, and two of
these three can monitor water from three different depths in the reservoir to ensure water quality
is consistent throughout. The remaining two panels are at pump stations and can monitor water
from either the suction or discharge side of the stations. To ensure accurate data collection, city
staff performs monthly calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting for the online
instrumentation.
To help save costs, the panels have been installed in coordination with other facility site
improvement projects. The panels monitor for turbidity, chlorine, pH, conductivity, and
temperature, and output data to the water treatment and distribution supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) system. These parameters are standard for monitoring general water
quality as they can detect bacterial growth, sudden chlorine demand, potential corrosion, or
sediment in the system. These parameters are also consistent with other monitoring in the
distribution system and at the water treatment facilities.
Data from the water quality instrumentation trigger alarms and emails to staff if the values fall
outside of standard operating ranges, which are more restrictive than regulatory limits. For
example, if the chlorine residual in water leaving a finished water reservoir is below target
levels, Water Treatment operators will be automatically notified and can change reservoir
fluctuation levels, or Utilities Maintenance staff may go flush the area to freshen residual
chlorine. Occasionally, turbidity spikes in the water going through a pump station have been
attributed to main breaks in the system.
BlueBox Early Notification System
The city’s Vulnerability Assessment recommends adding more distribution system monitoring
stations as an early notification system for accidental or intentional contamination. However,
data from the existing sites has not always been dependable, despite a strong preventative
maintenance program. Maintaining instruments at remote locations can be difficult due to power
outages, heating/cooling system outages, drift in the readings, plumbing, and other issues. In
addition, contaminants may be introduced to the system through a backflow incident, main
break, or accidental or intentional contamination, and some known waterborne contaminants
Information Item #4 Page: 3
have the potential to change water quality parameters so slightly that standard alarms may not
trigger.
To improve dependability, increase the ability to differentiate between real and false alarms, and
detect unusual combinations of water quality parameters that may not be detected by individual
parameter changes, the city implemented a BlueBox Event Detection system in 2012
(Attachment B). This system analyzes data from water quality stations and builds a baseline
multi-dimensional database, or ‘fingerprint,’ for each station from historical data. Anytime a
data set falls within the fingerprint, operation is normal. If the combination of data points falls
outside the fingerprint because it has not been seen before, or if it has been previously user-
categorized as abnormal, the software sends a notification or an alarm. The system can also
remember common events such as a turbidity spike after a pump comes online and will not send
alarms in these situations.
Distribution System Hydraulic Model and Live Modeling
City staff built and maintains a full pipe distribution system hydraulic model using Innovyze
Infowater software that matches the city’s GIS water main layer. The model includes friction
factors based on age and material, fire hydrants, seasonal diurnal use curves from actual SCADA
data, demands from actual meter and billing data, pump and hydroelectric turbine curves,
operational controls, elevations assigned from GIS contour layers, and seasonal operational
scenarios.
The city’s Infowater hydraulic model is well calibrated and an excellent representation of system
hydraulics. The model is regularly used for planning to simulate demands from new
development, facility outages or upgrades, water age, and fire flows. The model is also used to
evaluate ongoing operations and system impacts, and model simulations can be steady state or
extended period. A steady state simulation is essentially a snapshot of the system under a
specific water demand condition, while an extended period simulation looks at system demand
fluctuations and operational changes over a user-defined time period (Attachment C).
The city is one of the first utilities in the U.S. to also implement real-time hydraulic modeling
which connects the hydraulic model with SCADA data from the distribution system and provides
boundary conditions for each simulation (Attachment D). The live model can run in forecast or
forensic mode. In forecast mode, the model uses real-time distribution system data to set the
initial model conditions and projects the coming hours of system performance using current
production and demand data. The model can automatically run every hour, simulating current
and near future conditions in the system based on standard operating controls, and notifying staff
should any modeled data fall outside of target operating ranges. The hourly runs can be adjusted
to evaluate water age and pressure results from different operating scenarios such as valve
closures or targeted tank fluctuation (Attachment E).
In forensic mode, the model recreates a past operating scenario from a start date selected by the
user. There are no operating controls in a forensic model and the model runs exactly according
to SCADA data. For example, if the Cherryvale pump was shut off by operators at hour 8, it will
Information Item #4 Page: 4
be shut off at hour 8 of the scenario. Forensic mode is especially useful for performing a field
calibration when the system is under stress (peak day or fire flow) (Attachment F).
In both modes, model results are compared to verification points from the system, which include
pressures, flow rates, and reservoir levels. As the real-time hydraulic model continues to move
ahead, it will be invaluable for further studies such as analysis of water age under different
operating scenarios and optimization of pumping schedules that will yield the lowest operating
cost while satisfying system performance requirements.
Storage Tank Monitoring
The water distribution system has six storage tanks with a total of 38 million gallons of water
storage. Tanks are fluctuated as part of standard day-to-day operations. To monitor conditions
inside the storage tanks, staff installed temperature probes at varying depths in all six tanks. The
data is pulled twice a year and analyzed to determine if stratification is occurring in any of the
tanks. Temperature stratification is typically an indication of a lack of mixing, which can lead to
pockets of old water with low or no chlorine residuals.
The city has three pressure zones: zone 3 is the furthest west with its eastern boundary roughly
along Broadway; zone 1 is the furthest east with its western boundary roughly along Foothills
Parkway; and zone 2 encompasses the large area between zone 1 and 3. At Devil’s Thumb
storage tank, located in zone 3, temperature data indicated temperature stratification was
occurring primarily during summer months. To address stratification, a passive mixing system
was installed. Staff continues to monitor the temperature and will be evaluating the
improvements from the mixing system. Similar mixing systems were previously installed at the
two other zone 3 tanks, Booton and Chautauqua, to address similar stratification issues, and data
from both tanks has indicated good mixing (Attachment G).
Temperature data from the Gunbarrel Tank, located in zone 1, has shown some stratification and
continues to be monitored. Neither zone 2 tank, Maxwell or Kohler, has shown signs of
temperature stratification.
Partnership for Safe Water for the Distribution System
The City of Boulder became a charter member in the Partnership for Safe Water Distribution
System Optimization Program in 2011. The Partnership for Safe Water began in 1995 with its
program to optimize water treatment plant performance and added the Distribution System
Optimization Program in 2011. The goal of the Partnership is to implement prevention programs
where legislation or regulation does not yet exist. The Partnership program provides tools to
assess treatment plants and distribution systems and benchmark their performance in relation to
other utilities in their region and across the nation.
There are four phases to the Partnership: Phase I – commitment; Phase II – baseline data
collection and annual reporting; Phase III – self assessment; and, Phase IV – optimized system
(optional). The Phase III self assessment is a self-paced, significant effort that allows the utility
to examine the capabilities of the existing system’s operation and administration and resultant
Information Item #4 Page: 5
identification of those factors that limit performance. Once the utility has performed this self
examination, it develops a plan for implementation of improvements. The Phase III completion
report summarizes the self-assessment results and is reviewed by a team from the Partnership
Program Effectiveness Assessment Committee (a group of trained utility professional peers) to
make sure the process is productive, effective, and unbiased.
The city’s Water Treatment staff achieved Water Treatment Phase III for both treatment facilities
in 2011. In 2015, Drinking Water Program staff will start the Distribution System Phase III self
assessment, a significant multi-group effort. The program analyzes the following distribution
system metrics:
disinfectant residual
pressure management
main break frequency
cross connection control / backflow
disinfection by-product control
energy management
external corrosion
flushing
maintaining valves / hydrants /
blowoffs
internal corrosion control
pipeline installation / replacement /
rehabilitation
post precipitation control
security, emergency management
storage facility operation and
management
water age and the hydraulic model
water loss control
water quality sampling and response
asset inventory
pipeline materials
pumping facilities
valves and hydrants
application of operational concepts
administrative factors
an action implementation plan
NEXT STEPS
Surveillance and Response System (SRS)
Surveillance and Response Systems (SRS) are software systems that incorporate inputs from
several components which may include online water quality monitoring and event detection
systems, sampling, enhanced security (such as security cameras), customer complaints, public
health information, and work order management systems. These data are used as an early warning
system of contamination in the distribution system.
SRSs are relatively new systems that have been developed in mostly large scale utilities. A
recent Water Research Foundation study found that SRS drivers include security concerns, grant
availability, customer demands for information, internal distribution system water quality and
security initiatives, and specific events degrading water quality. SRS benefits to utilities include
improved operations and reduced operations costs, improved levels of service, demonstration of
due diligence to public and regulators, reduced repair/replacement costs, improved coordination
across utility divisions, improved interagency cooperation, and improved documentation of
procedures. Barriers to SRS implementation are significant cost, increased complexity,
achieving buy-in, and public perception.
Information Item #4 Page: 6
Under current conditions, if the distribution system experiences a potential water quality event,
Drinking Water Program staff may check all of the above components individually.
Streamlining information flow through an SRS system would significantly improve incident
identification and response time. Identification and response time will improve when the city
Utility Maintenance Management System software is upgraded in coming years. A full scale
SRS implementation is not planned at this time, but an achievable and desirable goal is to
incorporate components in steps in coming years.
ATTACHMENTS:
A – Iris Pump Station Online Water Quality Monitoring Panel
B – BlueBox Event Detection System Screenshot
C – Infowater Hydraulic Model – 30 Day Simulation – Water Age Example
D – SCADA Data Linked By Live Hydraulic Model
E – Running Operational Simulations to Prepare for Facility Outage - Example
F – Verifying Model Calibration Using Stressed Field Condition
G – Finished Water Tank Stratification Study Example
Information Item #4 Page: 7
ATTACHMENT A
IRIS PUMP STATION ONLINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PANEL
Attachment A: Iris Pump Station Online Water Quality Monitoring Panel
ATTACHMENT B
BLUEBOX EVENT DETECTION SYSTEM SCREENSHOT
Attachment B: Bluebox Event Detection System Screenshot
ATTACHMENT C
INFOWATER HYDRAULIC MODEL – 30 DAY SIMULATION - WATER AGE EXAMPLE
Attachment C: Infowater Hydraulic Model - 30 Day Stimulation
ATTACHMENT D
SCADA DATA LINKED BY LIVE HYDRAULIC MODEL
Red circles indicate water system assets with data feeds
Attachment D: SCADA Data Linked by Live Hydraulic Model
ATTACHMENT E
RUNNING OPERATIONAL SIMULATIONS TO PREPARE FOR FACILITY OUTAGE - EXAMPLE
Attachment E: Operational Simulations for Facility Outage - Example
ATTACHMENT F
VERIFYING MODEL CALIBRATION USING STRESSED FIELD CONDITION
Model results vs actual system data
Attachment F: Verifying Model Calibration
ATTACHMENT G
FINISHED WATER TANK STRATIFICATION STUDY EXAMPLE
Onset Hobo Water Temperature Data Logger
Temperature Probe Data – indicating temperature differences between the top and bottom
probes
Tideflex valves installed Devil’s Thumb Tank in May 2014
Attachment G: Finished Water Tank Stratification Study Example