DC Water Critical Customer Briefing and Roundtable Discussion

Sponsored by U.S. EPA Region III

Facilitated by the Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

Agenda9:00 – 9:30 Check-in & Networking

9:30 – 9:45 Welcome & Introductions

9:45 – 10:30 Presentations

10:30 -10:45 Break & Networking

10:45 – 11:30 Presentations

11:30 – 12:30 Lunch & Networking

12:30 -1:30 Roundtable Discussion

1:30 - 1:45Break/Networking

1:45 - 3:00Roundtable Discussion

3:00 - 3:30 Next Steps/Closing Remarks

Administration/Logistics Check-in Breaks Cell phones Restrooms Emergency procedures Roundtable material Questions/concerns Introductions

Presentations

Drinking Water Source & Treatment Process – Thomas Jacobus, Washington Aqueduct

Water Distribution & Sewer Collection Systems – Jason Hughes, DC Water

Sewer Treatment – Aklile Tesfaye, DC Water

Water Quality & Cross Connection Control – Pierre Constant & Jessica Edwards-Brandt, DC Water

Water Operations & Repair – David Wall & Marlee Franzen

Emergency Preparedness & Response – Jonathan Reeves & Geneva Green

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Washington Aqueduct

Safe – Reliable – Cost Effective

Owned and Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District

Presentation to

February 6, 2015

DC Water Critical Customers

Water Supply & Major Facilities

You are here

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Water Treatment Process(Conventional Treatment)

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Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant

Treats between 100-160 million gallons per day

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Georgetown Sedimentation Basins

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McMillan Water Treatment Plant

Treats between 60 - 120 Million gallons per day

What could cause a disruption or limitation in service?

Improper treatment Operator Error Component malfunction

Electrical power interruption

Hostile external act against system infrastructure

Contaminated source water (i.e., Potomac River)

Extended severe drought

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Washington AqueductBaltimore DistrictUS Army Corps of Engineers

Water Distribution and Sewer Collection Systems

Critical Customers

Jason Hughes

Director of Utilities Services - Water

Water Distribution System

• Total Coliform Rule• Lead and Copper Rule• Disinfection By-Product Rule• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring

Rule (UCMR3)

Water Distribution System

• Total Coliform Rule• Lead and Copper Rule• Disinfection By-Product Rule• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring

Rule (UCMR3)

Sewer Collection System

DC Water Clean Rivers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ug1hravb9Q

“A Drop’s Life”

Sewer TreatmentCritical Customers

Aklile Tesfaye

Director of Wastewater Treatment

Providing Essential Services

Potomac River Water treatment Distribution System

Blue Plains Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Wastewater Collection System

Sanitary Sewage

Stormwater Runoff

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Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant

February 6, 2015

Capacity: 370 MGD Average Annual Flow

891 MGD Peak Flow

Blue Plains Advance Wastewater Treatment Plant

DC Water’s Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant at Blue Plains is the largest of its kind in the World

Blue Plains AWT provides wastewater treatment services to 2.1 million people in the District of Columbia and the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia

Services both combined & separate sewer system

Blue Plains Service Area

Wastewater Treatment

• Regulated by EPA with STRINGENT permit requirements

• Excellent history of treatment performance

• Uses physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes, including innovative green technology

• O&M staff ~ 270

• Direct O&M cost~ $1,100/MGD

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DC Water Pretreatment Program

Purpose: • To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the collection system or at

the wastewater treatment that may: (a) Impact public & employee health and safety, wastewater treatment O&M (b) Cause pass-through pollutants and result in adverse environmental impact, and (c.) Violate water quality and biosolids standards and NPDES permit requirements

Permits:• Significant Industrial User, Non-Significant Industrial User, Temporary

Discharge Authorization, Waste Hauler Permit

Report A Problem:To report spills and unusual discharge observations, call (202) 612-3400 – 24 hours

Information of the Pretreatment Program:Call the Pretreatment Program Manager at 202-787-4177 with general questions or email to Elaine.wilson@dcwater.com

BREAK

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Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

Critical Customers

Jessica Edwards-Brandt

Manager of Water Quality

Water Quality Monitoring Regulated Programs

• Total Coliform Rule• Lead and Copper Rule• Disinfection By-Product Rule• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring

Rule (UCMR3)

Water Quality MonitoringNon-Regulated Programs

• Customer Complaint Investigations• Routine Monitoring at Schools and Daycares• Water Security Monitoring – Online Monitoring• Water Quality Problem Area Investigations• Lead Pipe Loop Research• Lead Sampling and Profiles• Nitrification • Tests Following Main Breaks

Cross-Connection Control Before and During the Next Event

Critical Customers

Pierre ConstantSupervisor of Cross Connection & LSLR Programs

Outline• Key terms• Some facts about the Cross-Connection Control program• How to prepare for a water contamination event (ccc

perspective)• What do you do if there is an internal water

contamination event• What do you do if DC Water issues an advisory in your

area

Key terms

• Cross-connection-Any actual or potential connection between the drinking water system and a source of contamination or pollution.

• Backflow- The reverse flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the drinking water system.

• Backflow Preventers-mechanical devices or assemblies which prevent the reverse flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the drinking water system

Facts of the Cross-Connection Control Program

• Some Facts– Primary responsibility for the administrating and enforcing

all cross-connection control regulations in DC– Responds to about 6 water quality investigations per year– Completes about 400 inspections per year– Collects and processes about 4000 inspection reports per

year – Tracks about 7000 backflow preventers at 2,600 different

sites

• DC Water Cross Connection Control Program

202-364-3143

crossconnections@dcwater.com

http://www.dcwater.com/cc/default.cfm

How to prepare for a water contamination event (part 1)

1. Identify your cross-connections and assess the potential hazards

Look for water connections to boilers, chillers, pools, softeners……..

2. Compile and review safety data sheets to assess hazards

Look at all chemicals both those used for water treatment and used for everyday functions

How to prepare for a water contamination event (part 2)

3. Determine if the appropriate backflow preventer is installed

Refer to DC Plumbing Code and licensed plumbers

4. Inspect, test and tag your backflow prevention assemblies

DC Regulations require annual testing and report submittal to DC water

5. Determine how to isolate water service to each cross-connection

Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention assembly

What do you do if there is an internal water contamination event

– Isolate the contaminate and/or system – Instruct your occupants to “do not use” the water– Contact DC Water 202-612-3400

How does DC Water investigate an internal water contamination event

– Take water samples– Inspect cross-connections, backflow

preventers and water source systems– Review safety data sheets– Ask questions

What do you do if DC Water issues an advisory in your area

• Communicate the advisory to your occupants• Assess the need to isolate water to sensitive equipment and

systems– e.g. dialysis water treatment units, sinks in surgical

areas……..• Assess your water needs and make alternative plans

Review

• How to prepare for a water contamination event

1. Identify your cross-connections and assess the potential hazards2. Compile and review safety data sheets to assess hazards 3. Determine if the appropriate backflow preventer is installed4. Inspect, test and tag your backflow prevention assemblies5. Determine how to isolate water service to each cross-connection

• What do you do if there is an internal water contamination event• Isolate the contaminate• Issue a “do not use” to occupants• Call DC Water 202-612-3400

• What do you do if DC Water issues an advisory in your area • Communicate the advisory to your occupants• Assess the need to isolate water to sensitive equipment and systems• Assess your water needs and make alternative plans

Questions?

• DC Water 24-hour Emergency Hotline

202-612-3400

• DC Water Drinking Water Branch

202-612-3440

drinkingwater@dcwater.com

http://www.dcwater.com/drinking_water/default.cfm

• DC Water Cross Connection Control Program

202-364-3143

crossconnections@dcwater.com

http://www.dcwater.com/cc/default.cfm

Water Distribution Operation and Maintenance

Critical Customers

David Wall – Manager of Water Distribution Control

Marlee Franzen – Manager of Water Distribution Maintenance

Operations and Maintenance

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• General System Operations

• Maintaining the System

• Water Main Emergencies

• Capital Improvement Projects

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General System Operations

What are our responsibilities?

- Oversee the coordination of all valve and hydrant operations for all activities on the water distribution system.

What is our Objective?

- Deliver an uninterrupted water supply with adequate pressure and flow for fire protection and consumption.

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General System Operations

What we will be doing in the next 12 months?

- Flushing over 540 miles of mains

- Performing over 20,000 valve operations.

- 1,000 Fire Hydrant Flow Tests

- Over 10,000 Fire Hydrant maintenance activities

- Responding to over 4,000 problems reported on the water system.

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General System Operations

What you might experience as a result of all these activities?

- Temporary reduction of pressure/flow.

- Discolored Water

- Temporary loss of service. (Typically, 6-12 hours)

Old Infrastructure = Emergencies

Repair 300-400Water MainBreaks a Year.

Valves, seals, pumps and other parts also need to be replaced.

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Prioritization

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Repairs and Improvements

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• Minimize debris from entering the main

• Disinfect the pipe following the repair

• Data collection to help target replacement segments

• Redundancy

Capital Improvement Program

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• DC Water’s Goal: Renew 1% per year

• Many water main candidates vying for selection−700 miles - unlined cast iron−300 miles - older than 100 years−50 miles - identified Water Quality

concern areas

• Identify water mains most in need of replacement

• Utilize a customized AWWARF Deterioration Point Assignment

• Weighting & criteria based on DC Water high priority initiatives and availability/accuracy of data

Customer Services

Critical Customers

Geneva Green

Call Center Supervisor

Contact DC Water

Click: http://www.dcwater.com/report_problem/default.cfm

We want to know:What is occurring? Where is the issue located?Is the issue causing damage or injury?What investigation has already been done by your property manager?Who do you want to be our point of contact in repair/investigation and contact information (phone, email)

An Investigation crew will be dispatched to the location for an assessment.Additional investigation or repair work follows the assessment if required.

Report A Problem:

Report an issue or request assistance by completing the Report A Problem form on our website if you prefer not to call.

PLEASE – do not use this if the issue requires immediate attention

Call: (202) 612-3400 – 24 hours

Information & Updates

Scheduled & Emergency Work:

Customers are notified at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled or planned work.

Emergency work is the result of an unplanned issue requiring an immediate repair.

Updates

Scheduled and Emergency work is posted on the website under the ‘In Your Neighborhood’ section.

Customers can sign up for mobile text alerts when work is posted in a selected zip code, and call the Command Center to receive the most current information from crews on location.

Report a problem – for routine maintenance requests

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Workzone Alerts

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http://www.dcwater.com/workzones/default.cfm

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Critical Customers

Jonathan Reeves

Office of Emergency Management Manager

Questions & Comments

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Thank you!

Critical Customer

Roundtable Discussion

Roundtable Discussion

Who: Critical Customers

What: Participate in a facilitated informal discussion

Why: To determine where water emergency planning improvement is needed

How: Through honest, candid discussion of a fictitious scenario

Roundtable Discussion Objectives

• Discuss expectations, roles, capabilities and limitations of partner agencies in the event of a major water emergency.

• Determine where water emergency planning improvement is needed.

• Provide an opportunity for critical customers to engage with service providers to create an effective and efficient foundation for community resiliency.

• Discuss assistance available to increase preparedness for and resilience to a reduction/loss of service.

Roundtable Structure

• Facilitator-led discussion

• Minimal simulation, no attempts to arrange elaborate facilities or communications

• Informal and stress-free

• Success hinges on your participation and feedback

• Next step discussion

Roundtable Rules• Dialogue is encouraged within a

safe, open, stress-free environment

• Respond based on your knowledge

• One person talks at a time

• Don’t “fight” the scenario

Tuesday 8:45 AM

DC Water’s operational command center receives an increase in calls from customers complaining of low and no water pressure in the northwest quadrant of the city.

Tuesday 12:45 PM

DC Water’s on-scene commander determines that water must be completely shut off in order to determine the extent of the problem.

Tuesday 5:00 PM

A DC Water spokesperson reports that crews are working non-stop to identify the extent of the problem that has caused the water outage in NW D.C. DC Water officials do not have a definitive answer on when service will be restored. An onsite worker was quoted as saying “this could last a couple more hours or a couple more days”.

Wednesday 8:45 AM

It has been determined that a one-of-a-kind component of the distribution system, originally installed in 1923, has failed. DC Water is in contact with vendors and NCR WARN to locate a suitable replacement. If a replacement cannot be located, then the component will have to be manufactured, which could take a week or more.

Thursday 12:00 PM

A suitable replacement has been located at LADWP and is being flown to DC. The component should be onsite late this evening. Once installed, DC Water will begin reestablishing service to the affected area.

Roundtable Discussion Objectives

• Discuss expectations, roles, capabilities and limitations of partner agencies in the event of a major water emergency.

• Determine where water emergency planning improvement is needed.

• Provide an opportunity for critical customers to engage with service providers to create an effective and efficient foundation for community resiliency.

• Discuss assistance available to increase preparedness for and resilience to a reduction/loss of service.

Next Steps

Discussion Items:

Please fill out your

Participant Feedback Form

Thank You!