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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-17 City Council (4)TO: City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: CITY MANAGER JUNE 17, 2002 DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS CMR:288:02 SUBJECT:ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE LONG-TERM GOALS FOR THE PALO ALTO REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT This is an informational report and no Council action is required. DISCUSSION The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) started the Long-term Goals Study in July 2000 with the vision that the future RWQCP will be consistent with the concept of Sustainability. During the course of the study, the RWQCP hosted a series of four workshops that led to the development of the long-term goals by stakeholders. These goals are consistent with the City’s sustainability program, and will guide the development of the plant improvements and future planning. The RWQCP is making consistent progress in its daily activities towards .these goals, although complete implementation will take many years. The attached report is the first annual report on the progress and activities towards achieving the goals. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Annual Report - RWQCP Long-term Goals PREPARED BY: DEPARTMENT HEAD: Daisy Stark, Senior Engineer RWQCP William D. Miks, Manager RWQCP GLENN S. ROBERTS Director of Public Works CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR.:288:02 Page 1 of 1 Long-term Goals Study Conclusions Through the Long-term Goals study, the RWQCP re-established long-term goals that not only align with today’s environmental and socioeconomics needs of the communities, but are also consistent with the underlying theme ofsustainability as shown in the matrix below: ’ The RWQCP is anticipating applying the long-term goals to the following up-coming projects: A-1 "Quotes of Frank Lloyd Wright" A-2 This new goal is an old philosophy at the RWQCP. For the past fifteen years, the RWQCP has diligently applied this philosophy in designs and in the equipment replacement program. Power Consumption Per Million Gallon Wasterwater Treated 3000~ 2000 1000 0 1986 2001 2008 Goal In the fall of 2001, the RWQCP initiated a project to replace two of its aeration blowers and modify the aeration control strategy. The project was approved by City Council and construction is now underway. The project will reduce power usage in three ways: The contract was awarded to the vendor that will provide the systems with the lowest life cycle cost (20 years life cycle). It will hold the vendor accountable by imposing a stiff fine for non-performance. Since energy consumption is directly proportional to the amount of air used for treatment, controls will be provided under this project to optimize air usage and minimize waste. 3.The operational program is designed to operate the appropriate blowers at their maximum efficiency point to match the requirement. It is estimated that this project will result in an annual energy reduction of 1.4 million " KWH. For the average flow year of 25 mgd, this equates to a saving of 150 KWH per million gallon ofwastewater treated. This project has been qualified for the State’s Peak Electric Demand Reduction Program and will receive a $75,000 refund from the p~rogram. This project has also been qualified to receive a refund from the Palo Alto Utilities’ energy program. ¯The RWQCP operates two sltidge incinerators. The incinerators generate approximately four to five tons of ash per day. The constituents of the ash are valuable resources for many industries. Ash could be used to substitute for sand in paving stones, or lime in cement. It could also be used for landfill cover, soil amendment, or soil stabilization. The RWQCP currently recycles all o~’ its ash for soil amendment. Our goal is to broaden ourrecycling program to include the use of our ash in products such as paving stones and cement. Types of reuse Paving stones Cemem Environmental Benefits Factors to Overcome Soil amendment & Soil stabilization 2 The RWQCP encourages the recycling of ash wherever its use is beneficial for the preservation of the environment, financially and technically feasible, and consistent with regulatory requirements. In spring of 2002, the RWQCP embarked on a projectto upgrade the ash handling facility.. The new facility will be fully operational in June of 2002. The upgrades will provide the RWQ~P with the flexibility to accommodate more reuse Customers and various forms of packaging and transportation means. Roll-off bin Pneumatic truck Bags Water Reclamation Program: The RWQCP recognized that to gain acceptance, the quality of the reclaimed water must be kept to a high standard. Because the RWQCP is an advanced treatment facility, its effluent water quality meets drinking water standards. However, the level of chloride (an indicator of salt) in the RWQCP effluent exceeded the irrigation guideline for plants. The high level of chloride was attributed to infiltration and inflow (I/I) of seawater into the sewer. The RWQCP worked with its partner cities to implement sewer repair and replacement projects to minimize I/I,. In the last few years, the level of chloride in the plant’s effluent has been reduced to an a.eceptabie level. The RWQCP is poised to maximize reclaimed water as a supplemental water source. The efforts to reduce I/I will continue. 500 400 300 200 100 0 Effluent Chloride Level 1990 1995 2000 ~ 25 o Annual Reclaimed Water usage 2006 Goal 4 The RWQCP is required to disinfect the wastewater to remove bacteria prior to discharge to the bay. The discharge permit states that the effluent .from the plant shall notexceed a total coliform concentration of 23 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml) based on a five-day median. In addition, no single samplemay have a total coliform bacterial density in excess of 240 MPN/100 ml. To meet permit requirements, the RWQCP uses chlorine-to disinfect and then uses. sulfur dioxide to remove residual chlorine in the effluent. The RWQCP believes that the coliform limit of the discharge permit is excessively restrictive since the coliform limit for the receiving water set by the Basin Plan is much lower.. The 5-day - median faecal (not total) coliform limit for the receiving water is 200 MPN/100 ml. A much lower amount of chlorine and sulfur dioxide will be needed to meet the level of disinfection of the receiving water. The RWQCP has proposed and received approval from the Regional Board to conduct a Bacteriological Special Study for the receiving water. The study will monitor the coliform level of the receiving water and ensure that there will be no adverse effect.while the plant reduces its chlorine dosage for disinfection to meet the receiving water coliform requirement. Bacteriological Special Study Program Study started on Jan 3, 2002 Faecal coliform count Vs. chlorine dosage ~’Chlorine Ib/MGD Sept Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.Mar. ’01 ’01 ’01 ’01 ’02 ’02 5 4O0O0 30000 2oooo 1oooo Palo Alto’s continued focus on source control has paid off in terms of environmental impa,cts in San Francisco Bay, Reductions in copper discharges (FIGURE 1) have resulted in a stabilization of the copper concentration in San Francisco Bay (FIGU~ 2), in spite of the increased population in the area. POLLUTANT (COPPER) DISCHARGE TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY I[] Influent (Ib/yr) ¯ Efluent (Ib/yr) 1 0 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995. 1998 2001 Year (FIGURE1) COPPER CONCENTRATION 1N SAN FRANCISCO BAY* 5- 4 3- 2- 1. 0 1997 Pixy1 ’Trigg~’ =4.0 1998 19~9 2000 2001 Year (FIGURE2) Reductions have resulted in dramatically lower concentrations in local clams (FIGURE 3). These clams concentrate pollutants in their tissue as they feed .on organic matter at the bottom of the Bay near the Palo Alto outfall. The decline in the copper values in the clam tissue is very good news -it demonstrates a reduced impact On.the complex ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. POLLUTANT (COPPER) CONCENTRATION CLAMS (M.BATI-IICA) 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 Year (FIGURE3) 6 The RWQCP explo)es all feasible methods of reducing its metals and toxic’ organic pollutant discharges to San Francisco Bay, including industrial pretreatment and pollution prevention. The RWQCP’s Pollution Prevention Program began in 1989 and incorporates industrial, commercial, and residential sources, Pollution prevention priorities for the RWQCP include metals (e.g., mercury, copper, nickel, zinc), dioxins, and pesticides as well as emerging contaminants, such as endocrine disruptors and pharmaceutically active compounds. The RWQCP approach includes many facets: ¯Permittin~ and inspections of industrial facilities ¯Inspections of commercial facilities (e.g., auto shops, restaurants, dental offices) ¯Outreach to schools, farmers’ markets, community fairs, and employer fairs ¯Recognition programs (e.g., Clean Bay Business program) ¯Point-of-sale promotions (e.g., "Our Water Our World" pest control outreach) ¯Hazardous waste collection programs ¯Product ban legislation ¯.Sewer ordinance revisions ¯City purchasing policies¯Self-certification programs ¯Training programs for City and school district staff ¯Mailings, advertisements, and utility bill inserts ¯Workshops for residents ¯Web site 2500 2000 1500 1000 5OO 0 Metals Loading in Influent I "1990 B2001 I Cd Cr Pb Ni Ag In 2002, the pollution prevention priorities for the RWQCP include: Mercury, Dio½in, Pesticides, and copper The RWQCP has set up a program to clean the sewer main each year before the wet weather season. The objective of the program is to collect and remove the solids that have settled to the bottom of the pip.e before the wastewater enters the plant. The grit/solids will be rinsed, dried, and tested. Based on the test results, it will be delivered to the appropriate solid waste facility. The first annual cleaning was performed in the fall of 2001. The program will be monitored and evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing the toxins in the influent. ¯8 PALO ALTO REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT Long-term Goals Annual Report Long-term Goals Study Conclusions Through the Long-term Goals study, the RWQCP re-established long-term goals that not only align with today’s environmental and socioeconomics needs of the communities, but are also consistent with the underlying theme of sustainability as shown in the matrix below: The RWQCP is anticipating applying the long-term goals to the following up-coming projects: A-I " Quotes of Frank Lloyd Wright" A-2 Minimize Energy Consumption And Maximize Energy Life Cycle Efficiency This new goal is an old philosophy at the RWQCP. For the past fifteen years, the RWQCP has diligently applied this philosophy in designs and in the equipment replacement program. Installed fine bubble diffusers Install variable speed drives Install energy efficient motors Power Consumption Per Million Gallon Wasterwater Treated Install high efficiency blowers 1986 2001 2008 Goal In the fall of 2001, the RWQCP initiated a project to replace two of its aeration blowers and modify the aeration control strategy. The project was approved by City Council and construction is now underway. The project will reduce power usage in three ways: The contract was awarded to the vendor that will provide the systems with the lowest life cycle cost (20 years life cycle). It will hold the vendor accountable by imposing a stiff fine for non-performance. 2.Since energy consumption is directly proportional to the amount of air used for treatment, controls will be provided under this project to optimize air usage and minimize waste. 3.The operational program is designed to operate the appropriate blowers at their maximum efficiency point to match the requirement. It is estimated that this project will result in an annual energy reduction of 1.4 million KWH. For the average flow year of 25 mgd, this equates to a saving of 150 KWH per million gallon ofwastewater treated. This project has been qualified for the State’s Peak Electric Demand Reduction Program and will receive a $75,000 refund from the program. This project has also been qualified to receive a refund from the Palo Alto Utilities’ energy program. ¯Immobilize or Beneficially Reuse Persistent Toxins ¯Take Leadership Role in Promoting Beneficial Reuse and Environmental Enhancement The RWQCP operates two sludge incinerators. The incinerators generate approximately four to five tons of ash per day. The constituents of the ash are valuable resources for many industries. Ash could be used to substitute for sand in paving stones, or lime in cement. It could also be used for landfill cover, soil amendment, or soil stabilization. The RWQCP currently recycles all of its ash for soil amendment. Our goal is to broaden our recycling program to include the use of our ash in products such as paving stones and cement. Types of reuse Paving stones Cemem Soil amendment Environmental Benefits Factors to Overcome ¯Global warming ~, (CO2,1,)¯Specifications (substitute ¯Resource Depletion ,1,ash for lime) ¯Solid Waste ~,¯Control of particle size ¯Energy usage ,1,¯Public perception & Soil stabilization 2 The RWQCP encourages the recycling of ash wherever its use is beneficial for the preservation of the environment, financially and technically feasible, and consistent with regulatory requirements. In spring of 2002, the RWQCP embarked on a project to upgrade the ash handling facility. The new facility will be fully operational in June of 2002. The upgrades will provide the RWQCP with the flexibility to accommodate more reuse customers and various forms of packaging and transportation means. Roll-off bin Pneumatic truck Bags ¯Maximize Recycled Water as a Supplemental Water Source ¯Take Leadership Role in Promoting Beneficial Reuse and Environmental Enhancement Water Reclamation Program: The RWQCP recognized that to gain acceptance, the quality of the reclaimed water must be kept to a high standard. Because the RWQCP is an advanced treatment facility, its effluent water quality meets drinking water standards. However, the level of chloride (an indicator of salt) in the RWQCP effluent exceeded the irrigation guideline for plants. The high level of chloride was attributed to infiltration and inflow (I/I) of seawater into the sewer. The RWQCP worked with its partner cities to implement sewer repair and replacement projects to minimize I/I. In the last few years, the level of chloride in the plant’s effluent has been reduced to an acceptable level. The RWQCP is poised to maximize reclaimed water as a supplemental water source. The efforts to reduce I/I will continue. Effluent Chloride Level 5OO 400 300 200 100 0 Irrigation Guideline 1990 1995 2000 3O ~ 25o 20 0 Annual Reclaimed Water usage 1990 2000 2006 Goal 4 ¯Minimize Total Release of Toxins to the Environment ¯Minimize or Eliminate Potentially Hazardous Chemical Usage ¯Minimize or Eliminate Toxins in the Influent (e.g. Dioxin) The RWQCP is required to disinfect the wastewater to remove bacteria prior to discharge to the bay. The discharge permit states that the effluent from the plant shall not exceed a total coliform concentration of 23 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml) based on a five-day median. In addition, no single sample may have a total coliform bacterial density in excess of 240 MPN/100 ml. To meet permit requirements, the RWQCP uses chlorine to disinfect and then uses sulfur dioxide to remove residual chlorine in the effluent. The RWQCP believes that the coliform limit of the discharge permit is excessively restrictive since the coliform limit for the receiving water set by the Basin Plan is much lower. The 5-day median faecal (not total) coliform limit for the receiving water is 200 MPN/100 ml. A much lower amount of chlorine and sulfur dioxide will be needed to meet the level of disinfection of the receiving water. The RWQCP has proposed and received approval from the Regional Board to conduct a Bacteriological Special Study for the receiving water. The study will monitor the coliform level of the receiving water and ensure that there will be no adverse effect while the plant reduces its chlorine dosage for disinfection to meet the receiving water coliform requirement. Bacteriological Special Study Program Study started on Jan 3, 2002 Faecal coliform count Vs. chlorine dosage l--B--Bay Coliform MPN/IOOml ~"Effluent Coliform MPWIOOml ~’=Chlorine Ib/MGD 8 .z ooo500 ,., ~0 0 - Sept Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.Mar. ’01 ’01 ’01 ’01 ’02 ’02 MINIMIZE IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEM Palo Alto’s continued focus on source control has paid off in terms of environmental impacts in San Francisco Bay. Reductions in copper discharges (FIGURE 1) have resulted in a stabilization of the copper concentration in San Francisco Bay (FIGURE 2), in spite of the increased population inthe area. 4OOOO 30000 20000 0 POLLUTANT (COPPER) DISCHARGE To SAN FRANCISCO BAY [] Influent (Ib/yr) 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 Year (FIGURE 1) COPPER CONCENTRATION IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY* t- O 5- 4 3 2 1 0 1997 =4.o 1928 19~9 20~2001 Year (FIGURE 2) Reductions have resulted in dramatically lower concentrations in local clams (FIGURE 3). These clams concentrate pollutants in their tissue as they feed on organic matter at the bottom of the Bay near the Palo Alto outfall. The decline in the copper values in the clam tissue is very good news - it demonstrates a reduced impact on the complex ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. 200 POLLUTANT (COPPER) CONCENTRATION IN CLAMS 0VLBATHICA) 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 Year (FIGURE 3) 6 MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE TOXINS IN THE INFLUENT The RWQCP explores all feasible methods of reducing its metals and toxic organic pollutant discharges to San Francisco Bay, including industrial pretreatment and pollution prevention. The RWQCP’s Pollution Prevention Program began in 1989 and incorporates industrial, commercial, and residential sources. Pollution prevention priorities for the RWQCP include metals (e.g., mercury, copper, nickel, zinc), dioxins, and pesticides as well as emerging contaminants, such as endocrine disruptors and pharmaceutically active compounds. The RWQCP approach includes many facets: ¯Permitting and inspections of industrial facilities ¯Inspections of commercial facilities (e.g., auto shops, restaurants, dental offices) ¯Outreach to schools, farmers’ markets, community fairs, and employer fairs ¯Recognition programs (e.g., Clean Bay Business program) ¯Point-of-sale promotions (e.g., "Our Water Our World" pest control outreach) ¯Hazardous waste collection programs ¯Product ban legislation ¯Sewer ordinance revisions ¯City purchasing policies ¯Self-certification programs ¯Training programs for City and school district staff ¯Mailings, advertisements, and utility bill inserts ¯Workshops for residents ¯Web site Metals Loading in Influent ¯1990 ¯2001 2500 2000 1500 lOOO 500 0 Cd Cr Pb Ni Ag In 2002, the pollution prevention priorities for the RWQCP include: Mercury, Dioxin, Pesticides, and copper The RWQCP has set up a program to clean the sewer main each year before the wet weather season. Minimize or Eliminate Toxins in the Influent The objective of the program is to collect and remove the solids that have settled to the bottom of the pipe before the wastewater enters the plant. The grit/solids will be rinsed, dried, and tested. Based on the test results, it will be delivered to the appropriate solid waste facility. The first annual cleaning was performed in the fall of 2001. The program will be monitored and evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing the toxins in the influent.