Niland Sanitary District Wastewater Systems Improvements Niland, California

Niland Sanitary DistrictRapid Assessment Process Project Strategic Plan

Niland Sanitary DistrictWastewater Systems Improvements

Niland, California

Presented to:Project Sponsor and Agency Stakeholders

November 5, 2003


General Aspects

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Environmental, Human Health and Sustainable

Development Strategies

Technical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan

Public Participation

Project Development Schedule

Agenda


General Aspects

The community of Niland: Located in eastern California, in Imperial County; Approximately 150 miles east of San Diego; Approximately 50 miles north of the U.S./Mexico Border.

Project Location

Niland


Niland Sanitary District (NSD)

Niland Population: 1,143 (Census 2000) Slab City – Transient community located 4 miles east of Niland; Impact

upon Niland infrastructure is currently inconclusive.

Median Household Income (Census Data): $25,592

Unemployment Rate: 15.9%

Existing Facilities Wastewater

400 Sewer service connections;

Water Privately owned by Southern California Water Company; Ineligible for grant funding.

General AspectsProject Sponsor Profile


General Aspects Existing

Water, approximately 60,000 gpd, is obtained from Imperial Irrigation District; Distribution system is owned and operated by the Southern California Water

Company; Customers may pay a flat rate of $41.78 / month or a metered service charge of

$24.10 plus $1.11 per CCF

Existing Water Distribution System

Concerns Currently only 60% of the customers are metered; Requirement for 100% meted by

2010; Difficulty determining illegal connections due to non-metered service; Inadequate system pressure; Maintenance problems with 2-inch lines; Turbidity through the filters at the Treatment Plant has been observed; Public perception is unfavorable. General distrust for rate increases and inadequate

servics and new requirements by PRC. .

Current Improvements Water Treatment Plant Expansion in Calipatria; Construction of transmission main to Niland to service both communities. 1.5 MG storage facility.

.Water system privately owned and is ineligible for grant funding to develop improvements.


General Aspects

Collection Existing system consists of 32,000 linear feet of sewer lines; Currently exists 400 service connections.

Lift Station One wastewater lift station at WWTP;

Treatment NSD has an aeration pond system constructed in 1993; Maximum average design flow is 0.5 MGD; Currently operating at 50%;

Existing Wastewater Collection and Treatment System


General Aspects

Collection Sewer mains constructed over fifty years ago; Numerous line breaks; Groundwater infiltration into collection system is suspected.

Lift Station Internal corrosion due to operation and minimal maintenance; Emergency provisions are inadequate; Pump accessibility for maintenance and repairs is limited.

Treatment Existing screening is inadequate and results in blockage throughout plant; Elevated levels of copper, selenium and thallium with source unknown; E. Coli detected in plant effluent; Overflow at ponds observed; Minimal maintenance has possibly decreased the pond capacity; Numerous violations issued for BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids; Condition of liners is undetermined; Access to WWTP is hazardous.

Wastewater System Deficiencies


General AspectsEvaluation and inspection of the existing system will assist in selecting and implementing the necessary improvement to include the following possible alternatives:

CollectionRehabilitation/Replacement of existing system;Install clean-outs at the dead ends;Rehabilitation of existing manholes as required.

Lift StationRehabilitation of wet well interior;Equipment upgrades to ensure sufficient redundancy.

TreatmentUpgrade testing laboratory as needed;Install a commutator to improve the current screening operations;Improve water transfer between ponds;Provide additional aerators;Provide stand-by power;

Proposed Wastewater System Improvements

Total Estimated Cost - $TBD


General AspectsExisting System


Environmental IndicatorsEnvironmental and Human Health Indicators

Levels of E. Coli, violating state regulations have been observed in effluent and may pose potential health risk downstream of discharge

Existing plant not designed to treat copper, selenium and thallium at the WWTP and discharge within the effluent may be occurring;

Elevated levels of BOD5 in violation of state regulations have been observed at the WWTP effluent;

Lack of maintenance at plant may have reduced capacity thus reducing efficiency and worsening conditions above;

Numerous lines breaks and manhole leaks have created nuisance condition throughout Niland;

Potential groundwater contamination may affect environmentally sensitive areas including farmland, habitats for protected species and water bodies including the Salton Sea.


Environmental and Human Health IndicatorsCompliance with Environmental Norms & Regulations

Water System

Wastewater System Administrative Civil Liability Complaint issued by California Regional

Water Quality Control Board for numerous violations; Majority of violations related to BOD5 in effluent; Levels of copper, selenium and thallium exhibited a reasonable potential

to cause an excursion above water quality standards in violation of the priority pollutant monitoring under the California Toxic Rule (CTR).


Environmental and Human Health Strategies

Determine the CEQA/NEPA document requirements, an EIS or EA.

Analyze the chemical composition of the wastewater and groundwater to determine the nature and possible source of contaminants existing at the WWTP.

Conduct an analysis of the WWTP influent to detemine the sufficiency of oxygen as it is introduced in the treatment process.

Describe the environmental and human health risks associated with the deteriorated conditions of the existing collection system infrastructure as well as with the WWTP and effluent violations.


Sustainable Development Strategies Two stakeholder workshops to be conducted. The baseline conditions report

is complete. Demonstrate appropriate institutional capacities:

Establish permanent operation staffingRegional Operations – Shared operators with City of Calipatria or other.

Improve rate structure and collectionsRestructured User Rate collected monthly – Agreement with water provider/Imperial

County.Seek Training

NADB UMI; Operator and administrative development An operation and maintenance program will be developed as part of the

project. Coordinate with water provider to develop a water usage assessment,

including possibilities for conservation/reuse. Determine if there is a need for industrial pretreatment. 30% design review by system operator


Provide the NSD customers with adequate, affordable wastewater service in compliance with State regulations;

Rehabilitation of existing centralized wastewater collection system and improvement to existing treatment facilities;

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Project Objectives


Recommended Technical Approach

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

PDAP Eligible Tasks: Preliminary Engineering Report Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP) - TBD Environmental Report – Complete comprehensive Multi-Agency

Environmental Checklist to ensure all requirements are satisfied. Financial Analysis Public Participation Program Final Engineering Design

Non-PDAP Eligible Tasks: Rate study. Training and institutional strengthening. Contingency Plans Project Management Operation and Maintenance Plan


Institutional Capacity The Frank M. Tejeda Center has been contacted to prepare a Statement of Institutional Capacity of the City of Calipatria addressing the following :

Technical Approach, Objectivesand Funding Plan

Regulatory Compliance Issues On-going Projects and Planning Existing Planning Project Development and Funds

Management

Outsourcing Operational Capacity Management Capabilities Governance

Institutional Development RAP Recommendations:

Revised Rate Structure/Collections Procedures Administration/Operations Staffing – Potentially Regional Effort Training


Project Sponsor Financial Potential


Revenue generated by collections of a $279 annual property tax assessment;Imperial County has a role in the financial operations;Fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th for each year;

Current Rate Structure400 service connections;Annual assessment $279 collected by Imperial County through taxes

($23.25/month);Annual assessment also includes bond portions.

2000 2001 2002

Operating Revenues 146,254 161,032 205,816

Operating Expense 260,576 257,282 199,658

Total 114,322 96,250 6,158

Wastewater Fund


Identified Potential Funding Sources


USDA-RUS Colonias Grant and Water and Waste Disposal Program. USDA-RD – In 1993, the NSD received Sewer Revenue Bonds in the amount of $545,000.

To date, the City owes approximately $503,000 on this loan.

California Housing and Community Development (HCD) CDBG Fund - Grants for communities with population <50,000 maximum $500K CDBG Program Planning and Technical Assistance Grants – Providing funds to small

cities for planning and evaluation studies related to CDBG-eligible activity.

State Water Resources control board (SWRCB) Small commiunity Grants – Provides grants up to 97 ½ % with population < 5,000; State Revolving Fund – Loans for construction maximum $50M and 20 year payback.

NADBank BEIF to support construction, service connections, project management and rate transition.

A rate study and additional capacity building tasks may be funded through the IDP.

BECC The community is eligible through the Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP).


Largest obstacle is cost associated with repaying loans; Requirements to establish monthly user rates; Operation of system currently performed on a part-time basis as available. Sharing a full-

time operator with City of Calipatria or other may not be feasible.

Potential Obstacles

Public Participation Strategy

Local Politics Niland Township is not incorporated and does not have a local government; Regulated by Imperial County Board of Supervisors; The NSD was created in 1970’s, by Imperial County to operate the wastewater

facilities, and is managed by a five member Board of Directors. Typically less than 10% of residents participate in the election.

Socio-Economic Indicators Approximately 26.1% of the population, over the age of 25, has completed a high

school education; 2002 Census denotes 6.2% unemployment rate.


Project Schedule


Modify PSP with Final Comments – 11/21. Develop Scope of Work (SOW), Send Sample TA Agreement to NSD and assist with resolution.

BECC

Action Items

Project Sponsor - NSD Provide any additional comments – 11/12. Consider Resolution – Accept PSP, request recommended TA Tasks, and

designate lead contact – 11/27. Participate in development of SOW – approve SOW by letter. Invite participants for Steering Committee.

Stakeholder Agencies Provide any additional comments – 11/12. Participate in SOW development – approve SOW.

Niland Sanitary District Wastewater Systems Improvements Niland, California

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