Water & Sewer Committee

Sammy Rich, City Manager Mike Hackett, Director John Boyd, Assistant Director WATER AND SEWER DIVISION Customer Service Department Bryan Parris, Director Operations Department Brandon M. Cook, Director Water Reclamation Facilities Jeff Hill, Director Water Treatment Facilities Wayne Stanley, Director WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, 601 Broad Street, Sam King Room Thursday, October 6, 2022 9:00 AM PRESENT: Chairperson Jim Bojo Commissioner Craig McDaniel Commissioner Bill Collins Mr. Sammy Rich, City Manger Mrs. Meredith Ulmer, Assistant City Manager Mr. Mike Hackett, Division Director Mr. John Boyd, Assistant Division Director Mr. Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Mr. Jeff Hill, Water Reclamation Director Mrs. Jackie Turpin, Water Reclamation Assistant Director Mr. Doug Walker, VISITORS: Tom Couch, citizen CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jim Bojo welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES No changes to the August 4, 2022, minutes were suggested. The minutes were approved by common consent. Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, August 4, 2022 Page 1 of 3 FINANCIAL REPORT Mrs. Rhinehart went over the summary for the water fund stating that revenues and transfers in were up due to the operating revenues for water and sewer. Overall, everything is in line with 2021, with revenue slightly up and expenses slightly down. Bond coverage in 2021 was 1.67 and 23.13 in 2022. Commissioner Collins questioned where the rate increase shows up in the summary and Mrs. Rhinehart explained it is in the water revenues. Commissioner Collins stated that he thought the rate increase collections would be seen as a separate line item, to which Mrs. Rhinehart explained that it was all in water revenue and is being used for PFAS and other projects. Commissioner McDaniel asked when we will start spending on PFAS to which Mr. Rich responded that we already are, and Mr. Boyd added we have already spent over 5 million dollars. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Wastewater Overview Mr. Jeff Hill, Water Reclamation Director, introduced himself and Assistant Director Mrs. Jackie Turpin to the committee. Mr. Hill gave an overview of the wastewater reclamation facilities (WRF). The Rome plant has treated 3.767 billion gallons of wastewater this year, averaging about 13.8 million gallons per day. The Coosa plant has treated 300.8 million gallons this year, averaging about 1.1 million gallons per day. Mr. Hill explained that the WRF takes the sludge from the water treatment process and dries it out and creates bio-solids. These bio-solids are used by local farmers. While there is cost in the processing and distribution of the bio-solids, it is free to the farmers. Mr. Hill detailed two recently completed projects. One being the grit and grease removal system upkeep and update. The other project being the magnesium hydroxide system, which reduces the phosphorus and is used to maintain our system. This system uses a variable speed motor which makes for better control of chemical use and greatly reduces cost. A current project being worked on is the sodium hydrochloride conversion. Which is the conversion from chlorine gas to liquid chlorine disinfection division wide. Bids for storage tanks are currently open. Another project currently in process is the floating cover for digester three, which should be finished by the end of the week. These floating covers should last about thirty years. Mr. Hill explained that the first contractor hired for the project was released due to multiple issues. Chairperson Bojo asked who was finishing the project. Mr. Hill stated that Southern Industrial Lining and Schmidt Environmental Construction is completing the project. Mr. Couch inquired about methane. Mr. Hill explained that it is captured and used to heat the digesters. This process saves 100k per year over natural gas. Mr. Hill explained the pretreatment program for the industries with highly concentrated wastewater. Chairperson Bojo asked for a presentation on this to be given at caucus. GDOT PI # M006258 Mr. Boyd requested recommendation for approval of a contract with GDOT, who will be paving HWY 100 down Shorter Ave to the hospital, to raise all manholes and water valves. Commissioner McDaniel recommended to approve. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion. Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, August 4, 2022 Page 2 of 3 Tuberculation Overview Mr. Hackett explained pipe tuberculation, stating that it is built up layers of mineralization, calcification, and rust, not dirt or mud. These layers of buildup can be mitigated with internal and external strategies. Internal strategies include internal corrosion inhibitors distributed and circulated through the system to induce the corrosion inhibitor layer. External strategies include unidirectional flushing and jetting. After jetting a 1000 ft section, the water flow increased from 750 to 950 gallons per minute. Mr. Hackett stated that it is important to know that in the upkeep and maintenance of the water system, inhibiting corrosion is key. Chairperson Bojo requested this overview be presented at the next caucus as well. OTHER None Adjourn There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted. Mike Hackett, Director Rome Water and Sewer Division Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, August 4, 2022 Page 3 of 3