15 - Update on Carter Lake Pipeline WRABStaff recommendationsCITY OF BOULDER
WATER RESOURCES ~DVISORY B4ARD
AGEND~ ITEM
1!'IEETING DATE: December 17, 2007
AGENDA TITLE: Update on Carter Lake Pipeline ~'RAB/Staff Recommendation
PRESENTER/S: Ned Williams, Director of Public Woi•k for Utilities
EYECUTIVE SLTI~IMARY:
(~n September 17, 2UU7, a WRAB/Staff Recommendation about the Cai-ter Lake Pipeline
Proj ect ~~~as approved at the WRAB meeting. A status update is as follo«~s:
1. Continue to pursue federal funds for the Carter Lake pipeline project, explaining to
Colorado's consressional delegation that the pipeline is desired to meet the city's
drinking ~rater quality, reliability and security vulnerability goals and that Federal
funding is needed to keep rate increases to reasonable levels.
STATUS: The Water Resources Development Act (WRD~) ~~~as approved by
Congress on November 8, 2007 and includes $10 million for construction of a
water pipeline. On November 20, the City Council approved its State and Federal
legislative agenda ~~hich supports this effort.
2. Communicate to Northern Coloi•ado tA~ater Conservancy District (NC~~4'CD), Left
Hand Watei• District axid the other CLP participants that the city is interested in
construction of the pipeline after prior•itization of the CLP ~~vith other capital needs,
and funding issues have been addressed.
ST4TUS: This communication message has been completed.
3. Include funds in the 2U08 Watei• Utility Capital Improvement Project budget for only
the following activities and components of the CarteY• Lake pipeline project 1)
Community and Environmental Assessment Process (CE~P}, 2) design, 3) permitting
activities and 4) ROW acquisition to keep the project progressing. It is assumed the
CEAP will be valid for a period of at least 5 years.
STATLTS: This has been completed with the approval of $1 million in the 2(~08
Budget.
AGENDA ITE11~i # PAGE 1
4. During 2008, staff will work to evaluate alternatives and identify a scope and budget
for a peer review or accreditation program. Depending on the cost of such a program,
money would be taken from the 2008 budget, or City Council would be requested to
make a specific budget appropriation. The goals of the peer review or accreditation
program would be to maximize performance and efficiency, provide outstanding
customer service using industry best management practices while minimizing the
need for rate increases to the extent practical. Peer review and accreditation programs
of both the American Water Works Association (AW WA) and American Public
Works Associated (APWA) will be considered. Staff and WRAB will work to
develop a scope of work for the peer review or accreditation program for City
Manager's approval.
STATUS: Work is on-going. Staff is focusing on the AWWA program and
gathering information about cost and resources.
5. Compile and prioritize a 20 year projection of capital improvement projects (CIP) and
system rehabilitation and replacement, including water and wastewater utility
replacement programs. These efforts will be mostly encompassed by the Source
Water Master Plan and the Wastewater Lltility Master Plan initiated by the Utilities
Division in 2007 and anticipated to be completed in 2008. The Treated Water 1Vlaster
Plan completed in 2000 and the Wastewater Treatment Master Plan completed in
2007 will continue to be used for this purpose. Water meter replacement issues will
be included in the compilation and prioritization process.
STATUS: Staff has gathered preliminary information about the water meter
replacement issue and will wrap that into the 20-year projection, which will begin
in 2008.
6. Develop alternative scenarios and associated revenue requirements for the 20 year
CIP and operations considering the goals of maximizing performance and efficiency,
providing outstanding customer service while minimizing the need for rate increases
to the extent practical. Staff will work to develop joint agreement with the WRAB
regarding the need for third party review, alternative scenarios to be considered and
any recommendations to the City Manager and City Council.
STATUS: This work will begin after the 20 year CIP work begins later in 2008.
7. Identify needed projects and associated funding to meet the city's drinking water
quality, reliability and security vulnerability goals with respect to the Barker Water
System (includes Barker Reservoir and Dam, Barker Gravity Pipeline, Kosler
Reservoir and Boulder Canyon Hydro Penstock.) Issues include the Town of
Nederland sewage discharge, septic systems and stormwater runoff from roads and
developed areas, and security risks. These projects and associated funding will be
considered in the 20-year CIP projection.
STATUS: fin-going.
AGENDA ITEM # PAGE 2
8. Continue to implement, where practical and cost-effective, selected measures along
the Boulder Feeder Canal to address the largest, most intensively developed or
agricultural areas draining to the Boulder Feeder Canal. These could include the
installation of culverts to carry first flush flows over the canal or stormwater BMPs
for these areas. These improvements are currently being funded through the city's
existing CIP account titled Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
(NCt~'CD) Conveyance -Boulder Feeder Canal.
STATUS: On-going. An outfall-crossing project on city Open Space/Mountain
Parks property will occur in early 2448, but a project involving an adjacent
private property has been canceled because property owners will not grant
easements or agreements. Additional crossing projects to be completed in 2408
are currently being evaluated.
9. Evaluate whether minor additional treatment barriers or process improvements at the
Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant, such as included in the WRAB June
motion or the Black Veatch recommendations are needed and cost-effective ifthe
Carter Lake Pipeline can be constructed in the next 14 years and selective bypasses
and BMPs are constructed on the Boulder Feeder Canal. The evaluation and
associated improvements are currently being funded through the city's existing CIP
account titled Boulder Reservoir WTP.
STATUS: On-going.
AGENDA ITEM # PAGE 3