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SUBMISSION AND ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF PERMIT NO. ST000014130639 BY THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (ODEQ) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHASE 2 WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND DIRECTING THE FILING THEREOF.
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BACKGROUND: The Phase 2 Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Improvements will increase the average daily design flow (ADF) of the facility to 17 million gallons per day (MGD), upgrade many existing processes and equipment, and construct new disinfection facilities as required by our Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (OPDES) permit. The compliance tasks and schedule contained in the OPDES Permit are modified by proposed Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Consent Order No. 13-077 as follows:
A. Submit approvable engineering report - Complete
B. Submit approvable plans and specifications - November 1, 2013
C. Begin construction of WRF improvements - July 1, 2014
D. Complete construction of disinfection facilities - January 1, 2016
E. Attain compliance with OPDES limits for Fecal Coliform - July 1, 2016
F. Complete construction of WRF improvements - January 1, 2017
G. Attain compliance with all OPDES limits - July 1, 2017
The Phase 2 WRF Improvements include the following major elements:
expansion of the WRF capacity from 12 to 17 MGD;
modifications to the headworks facility;
influent flow measurement;
primary clarifier improvements;
additional aeration facilities;
secondary clarifiers with sludge pumping;
disinfection and post aeration facilities;
outfall piping;
improved solids handling processes;
odor control measures;
standby power equipment;
electrical and control systems improvements; and
other appurtenances.
DISCUSSION: As a part of the project requirements, a permit from ODEQ is required. On March 8, 2011, the Norman Utilities Authority (NUA) approved Contract No. K-1011-148 with Garver, L.L.C., of Norman to proceed with the Engineering Report and surveying phases. The Engineering Report was submitted to ODEQ in November 2011 and after numerous meetings, various approvals and resubmissions, the final version of the Engineering Report was submitted to ODEQ on March 29, 2013 and approved June 27, 2013.
On June 18, 2012, the NUA approved Amendment No. One to the contract with Garver to perform the final design and bidding phases of the project. The final design kickoff meeting was held June 25, 2012 and following numerous design meetings with interim submittals, the design documents were submitted to ODEQ on August 1, 2013. ODEQ comments were received August 28, 2013 and the NUA submitted a response on November 1, 2013. ODEQ approved the final design plans on November 26, 2013.
Following a public hearing on the environmental impact of the proposed improvements, scheduled on January 21, 2014, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will be requested to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the environmental impact of the proposed WRF improvements. Once the FONSI is issued, the OWRB can process the State Revolving Loan (SRF) application and authorize the NUA to award construction bids. We anticipate award of the construction contract in April 2014, with the construction phase to begin in June 2014 in accordance with the proposed Consent Order schedule. The contract duration is expected to be 900 calendar days with project completion by January 2017.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that receipt of attached ODEQ Permit ST000014130639 issued November 27, 2013, be noted and made a matter of permanent record in the Norman Utilities Authority and City Council minutes.