HomeMy WebLinkAbout06. 21-327JUNE 22, 2021 21-327 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0_____LOST________LAID OVER________WITHDRAWN________)
PURPOSE: APPROVE & SUBMIT 2020 WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE
ANNUAL REPORT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the 2020
Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, having been reviewed, is approved, and the
proper City officials are authorized and directed to submit the Report to the Department
of Natural Resources.
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TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Steven M. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager
DATE: June 17, 2021
RE: Approve and Submit 2020 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(WDNR) Compliance Maintenance Annual Report/Wastewater Treatment Plant
BACKGROUND
The City of Oshkosh is required by the WDNR as part of the Wisconsin Pollution Discharge
Elimination System Permit to complete a Compliance Maintenance Annual Report. This report
outlines the performance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the sanitary sewer collection
system for the previous year. The results reflect the dedication of the Wastewater Utility staff
and their commitment to protecting the community’s public health and water environment. This
report needs to be formally approved by the Common Council for submittal to the WDNR by
June 30, 2021.
ANALYSIS
The report is broken down into sections that address specific areas of performance for the
wastewater system. Based on the responses in each section, a score is determined and a letter
grade is given based on the score. This grade is used by the WDNR to determine the need for
improvements to the wastewater treatment system. A letter grade of A or B does not require any
action be taken based on the information provided. The following is a brief summary of each
section:
Influent Flow and Loading: This section looks at plant flow capacity and treatment ability based
on the design of the facility. The average daily flow for the year was 12.24 million gallons per
day, or about 61% of the 20 million gallons per day design flow. Our highest flow month for 2020
was March with an average flow of 18.09 million gallons per day, which is 51.7% of our WDNR-
assigned maximum (wet weather) month design flow of 35 million gallons per day. The
treatment capacity is based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in pounds per day. Our
highest influent loading monthly average was 15,896 pounds in the month of November. Our
design loading is 33,360 pounds, which puts us at 47.7% of our design loading for the facility.
This section also includes questions on flow meter calibration, the Sewer Use Ordinance, Septage
Receiving (Hauled Waste Delivered to the Plant), and the Pretreatment Program. No issues were
identified in any of these areas. Based on these responses and the available capacity of the facility,
this section scored a letter grade A.
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Effluent Quality – BOD, TSS (Total Suspended Solids), Ammonia, and Phosphorus: These
sections look at the quality of our treatment individually for each of these parameters based on
our permit requirements, testing, and analysis. All reported values were within required permit
limits. The sections for BOD, TSS, Ammonia, and Phosphorus each scored a letter grade A.
Biosolids Management: Solids are generated from the treatment process due to the growth of
microorganisms that are used for the treatment of wastewater. There is a separate process used
to treat this material as it is removed and turned into a product that can be beneficially re-used
as fertilizer on approved agricultural land. This section of the report evaluates the treatment
process and management of the biosolids in compliance with the permit requirements. All
requirements were met and this section scored a letter grade A.
Staffing and Preventative Maintenance: This section asks general questions about plant
maintenance procedures, record keeping, and staffing levels. There were no issues identified
with either plant maintenance or staffing and this section scored a letter grade A.
Operator Certification and Education: The WDNR requires wastewater facilities have state-
certified operators on staff to operate and manage the facilities to meet the requirements of the
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit. Certified operators are required to
attend approved conferences and training to meet continuing education requirements for the
certification renewal every three (3) years. We have certified operators on staff who are certified
at the appropriate levels for the wastewater treatment facility. This section scored a letter grade
A.
Financial Management: This section looks at the financial aspects of the utility and is done with
the assistance of the Finance Department. In addition to rates, it looks at the funding in the
Equipment Replacement Fund, which is required as a condition of the Clean Water Fund when
financing projects through the Clean Water Fund Financial Assistance Program. We have also
started including projects listed in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) in the Future
Planning section to show future potential spending requirements. There were no issues identified
and this section scored a letter grade A.
Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems: This section is completed using information provided by
the Streets Division and Engineering Division, based on the activities reported for sanitary sewer
maintenance and construction in 2020. Based on the activities reported, this section scored a letter
grade A.
Efforts continue to reduce clear water entry into the sanitary sewer system. Flow monitoring and
inspection of manholes for rehabilitation continues, along with televising to identify sanitary
sewers in need of replacement. Sanitary sewer repair and replacement projects are ongoing and
are reflected in the CIP. The Capacity Management Operations and Maintenance program has
been fully implemented and continues to provide opportunities to update and refine operations
and maintenance activities related to the sanitary sewer system. The System Evaluation and
Capacity Assurance Plan has also been completed and includes a City-wide sanitary sewer
model. This model continues to be used to analyze the capacity of the sanitary sewer system in
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specific areas under various dry and wet weather scenarios to determine where there may be
capacity issues and to look at corrective action opportunities. It is also being used extensively in
CIP planning and area planning studies for future sewer requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City related to this report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend approval of the 2020 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report for submittal to the
WDNR.
Approved,
Mark A. Rohloff
City Manager
SMG/tlt