Nyack Water Board Meeting

December 19,2024 A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on the above date at 9 North Broadway, Nyack, NY. The meeting was called to order by Chairman McDowell at 4:30 PM. The following were present: William McDowell Chairman Michelle Bullock Commissioner Elizabeth Turk Commissioner John Phillips Commissioner Pearl Gray Commissioner Latoya Aguillard Assistant Secretary Absent: Superintendent Thomas Lynch, Secretary Barbara Kunar, H2M Upon motion by Commissioner McDowell, second by Commissioner Phillips, and carried, the Board accepted the minutes of November 2024 as written. The Cash Flow Statement for November 2024 was presented to the Board for review. The Statement of Revenue and Expenditures for November 2024 was presented to the Board for review. The Board reviewed the 2025 Rate Increase Letter: Approved by Commissioner Phillips, Second by Commissioner Turk and carried, the Board accepted the Rate increase letter. Assistant Maintenance Mechanic- Approved by Commissioner Turk Second by Commissioner Bullock and carried, the board approved the title change for Kevin Nugent to Assistant Maintenance Mechanic, pending approval from the Rockland County personnel department. The Board reviewed a “Project Update” submitted by H2M architects + engineers and presented by Chairman McDowell: A) Watermain Projects: a. Phase B: i. J. Fletcher Creamer (JFC) began construction on Monday 11/18/2024. H2M is providing an inspector onsite full time to watch over and document the JFC construction crews progress. ii. JFC has completed installation of water main on Doscher, Hobe and Patterson and is in the process of performing Pressure Testing and Bacteriological sampling. H2M will request activation of the water main from Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) following satisfactory results. iii. JFC began installing water main on Benson Avenue on December 10, 2024, with an anticipated completion date minus regulatory testing the week of December 16, 2024. b. Phase C: i. Drafting plans for submission to Health Department. c. Phase A: i. H2M continues efforts to redo as-builts done by GCE. Additionally, H2M is in the process of satisfying all requirements of EFC to close out the WIAA Grant. B) Operations Related: a. Operations assistance with Steve Wondrack have been Advancing  i. Focus has been on optimization and standardization (SOPS) for the purpose of general operational efficiency but more specifically related to reducing DBP/THM production. ii. Dickenson Reservoir Improvements b. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Exceedance: i. Superintendent Lynch has provided H2M with the updated Quarterly TTHM results inclusive of Q4 2024. It should be noted that all compliance sites outside of the College Pressure Zone are in compliance with regulatory limits. 1. On September 27, 2024 H2M prepared an updated Corrective Actions – Interim Progress Report to NYSDOH, RCDOH and EPA, for Supt Lynch. 2. H2M is in the process of preparing a comprehensive Corrective Actions Report that details in depth the corrective actions taken to date and what contributed to the decision-making process. This document would be generated to provide to the NYSDOH, RCDOH and EPA during any future correspondence or audits. ii. Assessing Plant Operations and Chemical Usage: 1. Data challenges are being worked through with Supt Lynch. Supt Lynch has shared with H2M real time daily operations of Plant operations via Google Docs. iii. H2M working on other analysis/reports as outlined in the primary action items. 1. H2M began Jar Testing on Tuesday August 13, 2024. Jar testing continues and is expected to be performed over a period of 8 weeks. Preliminary results are indicative of an over dosage of coagulant at the plant. Jar Testing continues twice a week. To date, Coagulant dosing has been reduced 25% (~15 PPM) starting on September 26, 2024. This resulted in stable/slightly reduced turbidity measurements. Plant personnel continue to monitor and record turbidity readings on an hourly basis. 2. In an effort to further optimize chemical addition and look at the chemical budget for fiscal year 2025, H2M scheduled with Holland Company to perform Jar Testing at the plant utilizing their PACL 2800 (an approved and currently utilized product at the plant during emergency use applications) to demonstrate more efficient/effective TOC removal. Holland Company to provide a report on the Jar Testing results as well as costing to switch to PACL 2800 as the primary coagulant. c. LSL Inventory and next steps Lead Service Line Inventory: 1. Inventory list has been provided to NYS as required on October 16, 2024. Superintendent Lynch to advise on additional support required for public notification required within 30 days as next steps. 2. Superintendent Lynch completed all required public notifications required. Notifications have yielded positive results with some residents requesting inspections or providing information to the Department to confirm service material. 3. H2M is in the progress of updating the Lead Service Line Inventory as new inspection / excavation / work order reports are uploaded. Supt. Lynch has shared with H2M real time LSL Inventory via Google Docs. d. H2M/Plant Actions: A. Chlorine Addition (Summer): H2M has been working with Supt Lynch to reduce pre-filter chlorination dosage while increasing secondary chlorination dosage (plant clearwell) to maintain distribution system residual. Over a period of 6-8 weeks, pre-filter chlorination has been reduced by approximately 1.0 part per million (ppm). This has resulted in an approximate 30% reduction in TTHM production in the Plant clearwell. Secondary chlorination dosage has been increased to maintain safe distribution system residual between 1.5-1.7 ppm. B. Chlorine Adjustments (Winter): H2M has been working with Supt. Lynch to increase pre-filter dosage to maintain a minimum filter effluent residual of 0.6 ppm. (Note: Seasonal changes (i.e. colder water) require increased chlorine to achieve same end goal.) Secondary chlorination dosing has been reduced to maintain minimum required chlorine residuals to meet regulatory compliance (0.5-1.0 ppm) within the distribution system. C. HACH Chlorine / Turbidity Equipment: HACH Technicians have calibrated all of the equipment currently installed within the plant. HACH is to send a senior technician to evaluate the existing CL17 Chlorine Analyzer and Turbidity Meter for proper operation. Replacement quotes have been provided to Supt Lynch should replacement equipment be required. iv. Gravity Filters 1. Update: Gravity Filter backwash time has been reduced from 8 minutes to 7 minutes. This is an overall reduction is amount of wash water discharged to the sludge lagoon. Additionally, gravity filter backwash parameters have been revised. Each filter will be backwashed after 50 hours of run time maximum or if an increase in turbidity is measured before the 50-hour max. This adjustment translates into one filter discharging to the sludge lagoon daily and an overall reduction in wastewater being discharged. The adjustments translate into a reduction of roughly 280,000 (~58% reduction) gallons to the sludge lagoon on a weekly basis. Adjustment and further refinements were made after mapping filter backwash profiles and adjusting wash times. 3. Flocculation Basins 1. Superintendent Lynch had the reduction fitting and associated equipment associated with Floc Basin No. 1 repaired by Precision pump. Equipment failure occurred due to maintenance related items.  2. Continuing to optimize operational procedures, H2M suggested to Superintendent Lynch to adjust the speeds on the Flocculation Basins. The purpose was to optimize the coagulation process by changing the introduction of water and coagulant at a higher rate (promote mixing) and then slow the process down to ensure the binding/clumping of the coagulant with the smaller particles to form larger particles (flocs). Previous operation was observed to mix coagulant and raw water slowly and then agitate shearing the flocs. e. H2M is to begin working on designing chlorine addition at the South Highland Pump Station to aid in low Chlorine residual in the College Pressure Zone. This requires approval from RCDOH. H2M has been communicating with several vendors to size and source equipment to provide a small outdoor enclosure designed to house all the chlorine injection equipment. H2M currently has in hand a proposal for a chlorine injection system that is proposed to be installed on the roof of the So. Highland Pump Station. A. Note: Chlorine Tablet Dosing addition at the Low Service Reservoir has been revised to take place Monday thru Friday. This includes the addition of three (3) chlorine tablets per hatch daily. The premise behind the rationale is to equalize the chlorine profile within the LSR and remove the peaks and valleys by only dosing two times a week. The RCDOH has given the Water Department emergency authority to supplementally dose chlorine on an interim (temporary) basis during the warm months. RCDOH is looking for the Department/H2M to provide a permanent solution to supplemental chlorine injection. This is listed above as a Chlorine Booster Station to be added to the So. Highland Pump Station. The Board would need to authorize H2M to proceed and to purchase the necessary equipment to install. B. Similarly to the adjustments in chlorine addition at the plant, tablet dosing has been discontinued at the Low Service Reservoir (LSR) and College Tank due to seasonally improved water quality and lower water temperatures. iii. On 12/9/2024, Water Quality Samples were collects from the Low Service Reservice (LSR) to be analyzed for TTHM levels. f. 6th Avenue Pump Station: A. October, 2024, the North Booster Pump electric motor was replaced due to failure. B. Additionally, the control breaker associated with the North electric motor was also replaced along with the booster pumps operation timer. C. As part of a capital program, consideration should be given to budget the replacement of the North and South pumps as their outputs have begun decreasing and increased run time have been noted. In addition, communications between the plant and pump station should be upgraded in similar fashion to that of So. Highland Pump Station so that pump operation is not based on a timer or manual intervention. g. Capital Equipment Concerns and Improvements: A. Continue to lend support on technical issues and reporting. B. New operations resource continues to meet with Supt Lynch to review objectives relative to developing Standard Operating Procedures, etc. C. College Tank / Zone: i. Equipment installed for chlorination measurement, feed, and tank level measurement at College Tank Pump Station. ii. Neal Systems has completed all work at the So. Highland Pump Stations. All communications and automatic controls have been corrected and are working as originally intended. iii. Precision Pump has removed and replaced a failed tilted disc check valve and gate valve from within the So. Highland Pump Station. With the replacement of these two valves, the 6” discharge line was placed back into service along with the in service 12”. The activation of the 6” discharge line thus far has resulted in more stabilized chlorine residual readings in the distribution system. D. There are a number of items related to capital maintenance that need to be prioritized, and budgets and funding addressed. Summarized here and in detail below: i. Flight Scrapers. One has been repaired, Second needs repair $15k  1.Superintendent Lynch has updated quotes and seeks approval from Board to proceed with ordering and schedule in house replacement. Update: 12/13/24 Superintendent Lynch confirmed replacement flight scrapper parts have been ordered. A. Sedimentation Basin - Flight Scrappers: i. Sedimentation Basin No. 1 - Coppola Services, Inc. were on site at the Plant on July 16th to repair flight scrapper. This included reinstalling the head shaft, properly align sprocket and install new drive chain. Replacement track slides will need to be fabricated and installed. In addition, a few replacement flights will need to be procured and installed. Superintendent Lynch repaired the jammed-up flight scraper due to a lodged 6x6 piece of wood that sheared the flight scraper pins. ii. Sedimentation Basin No. 2 – Coppola Services, Inc. inspected the existing flight scrapper and found that 24 out of 30 flights were broken and need to be replaced. In addition, replacement track slides, drive chain and track repairs will need to be made. Currently Sedimentation Basin No. 2 flight scrapper is out of service until repairs can be completed. iii. Chlorine Booster Equipment So. Highland PS $50k iv. Flow Testing at Plant $5k v. Calibration equipment for Plant Chem Dosing $17k 1. Note: Calibration equipment has been ordered and installation is pending. Superintendent Lynch has purchased and is awaiting delivery of new Potassium Permanganate HDPE tanks to replace legacy tanks at the end of life. New tanks will be provided and equipped with flooded suction for the pumps and allow calibration equipment to function. 2. Neal Systems is currently on site (starting 12/16/24) to install the Calibration equipment for Plant Chemical Dosing. To date, coagulant equipment has been installed and chlorine equipment ready to be switch over to in service. D) Sludge Lagoon i. Superintendent Lynch has begun a pilot program for removing sludge from the lagoon and maintenance to remove the plant growth from the lagoon. ii. H2M is evaluating these operations in the context of renewed SPEDES permit application. iii. H2M is currently working to prepare a new SPDES permit for the discharge of the Sludge Lagoon Sludge Lagoon into the Hackensack River. H2M has engaged NYSDEC to obtain clarification on aspects of the permit and on the required sampling of the Sludge Lagoon that is to accompany the permit submission. H2M is currently awaiting responses. E) Plant Upgrade for PFAS Removal: a. H2M submitted revised plans, specifications, and report to NYSDOH in February and is waiting for comments and/or approval. H2M received comments from NYSDOH on July 9th and resubmitted responses to NYSDOH on September 16, 2024. As of 12/17/24, H2M is still awaiting a response from NYSDOH on resubmission. 4. Master Planning Efforts: 1. Asset Management i. Draft Plan submitted for Superintendent Lynch and Board for comment/review. H2M to prepare a final copy of the report upon agreement with the Water Department. We would request either approval or authorization to finalize in order to advance with Capital Improvement planning  ii. Following finalization H2M will work with Supt Lynch on Capital Improvement and maintenance plans related to identified prioritized topics. At 4:58 PM, upon motion by Chairman McDowell, second by Commissioner Turk, and carried, the Board moved into executive session to discuss personnel issues. At 5:15 PM upon motion be Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner grey, and carried the Board moved out of executive session. Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 16th 2025 There being no further business, upon motion by Commissioner Turk, second by Commissioner Phillips, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:17 PM. Respectfully submitted, Latoya Aguillard Assistant Secretary . Sedimentation Basin No. 1 - Coppola Services, Inc. were on site at the Plant on July 16th to repair flight scrapper. This included reinstalling the head shaft, properly align sprocket and install new drive chain. Replacement track slides will need to be fabricated and installed. In addition, a few replacement flights will need to be procured and installed. Superintendent Lynch repaired the jammed up flight scraper due to a lodged 6x6 piece of wood that sheared the flight scraper pins. ii. Sedimentation Basin No. 2 – Coppola Services, Inc. inspected the existing flight scrapper and found that 24 out of 30 flights were broken and need to be replaced. In addition, replacement track slides, drive chain and track repairs will need to be made. Currently Sedimentation Basin No. 2 flight scrapper is out of service until repairs can be completed. vi. Chlorine Booster Equipment So. Highland PS $50k vii. Flow Testing at Plant $5k viii. Calibration equipment for Plant Chem Dosing $17k 1. Note: Calibration equipment has been ordered and installation is pending. Superintendent Lynch has purchased and is awaiting delivery of new Potassium Permanganate HDPE tanks to replace legacy tanks at the end of life. New tanks will be provided and equipped with flooded suction for the pumps and allow calibration equipment to function. 2. Neal Systems is currently on site (starting 12/16/24) to install the Calibration equipment for Plant Chemical Dosing. To date, coagulant equipment has been installed and chlorine equipment ready to be switch over to in service. E) Sludge Lagoon i. Superintendent Lynch has begun a pilot program for removing sludge from the lagoon and maintenance to remove the plant growth from the lagoon. ii. H2M is evaluating these operations in the context of renewed SPEDES permit application. iii. H2M is currently working to prepare a new SPDES permit for the discharge of the Sludge Lagoon Sludge Lagoon into the Hackensack River. H2M has engaged NYSDEC to obtain clarification on aspects of the permit and on the required sampling of the Sludge Lagoon that is to accompany the permit submission. H2M is currently awaiting responses. E) Plant Upgrade for PFAS Removal: a. H2M submitted revised plans, specifications, and report to NYSDOH in February and is waiting for comments and/or approval. H2M received comments from NYSDOH on July 9th and resubmitted responses to NYSDOH on September 16, 2024. As of 12/17/24, H2M is still awaiting a response from NYSDOH on resubmission. 5. Master Planning Efforts: 1. Asset Management i. Draft Plan submitted for Superintendent Lynch and Board for comment/review. H2M to prepare a final copy of the report upon agreement with the Water Department. We would request either approval or authorization to finalize in order to advance with Capital Improvement planning ii. Following finalization H2M will work with Supt Lynch on Capital Improvement and maintenance plans related to identified prioritized topics iii.