city of lordsburg rapid assessment process project strategic plan city of lordsburg water and...

City of LordsburgRapid Assessment Process Project Strategic Plan

City of LordsburgWater and Wastewater System Improvements

Lordsburg, New Mexico

Presented to:Project Sponsor and Agency Stakeholders

August 28, 2004


General Aspects

Environmental Indicators

Environmental, Human Health and Sustainable Development

Strategies

Technical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan

Public Participation

Project Development Schedule

Action Items

Agenda


General Aspects

The City of Lordsburg Located in southwestern New Mexico, in Hidalgo County; Along I-10 midway between Tucson and El Paso; Approximately 45 miles northwest of the U.S./Mexico Border.

Project Location

Lordsburg


City of Lordsburg

Population: 3,379 (Census 2000)

Median Household Income (Census Data): $21,036

Unemployment Rate: 6.2%

Existing Facilities Water

Operated and maintained by City of Lordsburg; 1994 recipient of NMED Rural Infrastructure Program loan for

water system improvements.

Wastewater Operated and maintained by City of Lordsburg.

General AspectsProject Sponsor Profile


General Aspects

Production 10 production wells owned by City of Lordsburg; 6 northern wells abandoned in 1973 due to high level of nitrates; 3 wells currently operable East Wells No. 1 and 2 and S&P Well; Smith Well drilled in 1998 located ¼ mile west of No. 1 & 2 has been

discontinued due to elevated fluoride levels.

Distribution System operated and maintained by City of Lordsburg; System approximately 50 years old; 12-inch transmission main delivers water 5 miles from storage reservoir; 1,259 service connections for entire population.

Storage The City of Lordsburg operates and maintains two storage reservoirs; Reservoir No. 1 – 0.3 MG raw storage constructed in 200 supplies Reservoir No.2; Reservoir No. 2 – 2.5 MG steel reservoir constructed in 1970’s.

Existing Water Production and Distribution System


General Aspects

Collection System Consist of vitrified clay pipe constructed 50 years ago; Brick manholes throughout the system; Two wastewater lift stations located in northern and western areas of City.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Constructed in 1998 consisting of headworks with grinder, screw pumps

and partially aerated and facultative lagoons discharging to a series of wetland ponds;

Designed for future flow of 0.6 MGD; Estimated that 140 acres of wetlands are required however only 51 acres

available therefore excess wastewater discharged to the Lordsburg Draw; No discharges to date.

Existing Wastewater Collection & Treatment System

.


General Aspects Production

Yearly average of fluoride levels at the system entry point is high at 4.80 mg/l and exceeds EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation’s maximum contaminant level of 4.0 mg/l;

Smith Well fluoride content has been measured at 9.22 mg/l; Wells No. 1 and No. 2 are exposed resulting in excessive wear on the

equipment.

Distribution Test results indicate fluoride levels 4.8 mg/l; Direct feed to 20 residential customers prior to final chlorination; Inadequate looping results in lower pressures; Inadequate line sizes and fire protection throughout the Town; Numerous inoperable valves and insufficient quantity to effectively isolate

system; Speculated that the 12-inch transmission main to the reservoir is deteriorated; Average water consumption of 167 gpcd is high and may suggest inaccurate

meters or system leaks.

Storage Required improvements not evident at this time;

Water System Deficiencies


General Aspects Collection

Deteriorated condition of the sewer mains has resulted innumerous line breaks throughout the system;

Distances between manholes exceeding 400 feet does not permit effective maintenance and repair of the system;

Existing brick manholes exhibit deterioration.

WWTP NMED June 2003 effluent information indicates high level of total

nitrogen; Monitoring well information indicates high levels of nitrates exceeding

NMED standards; NMED issued notice of non-compliance in 1999 for the following:

1. Effluent samples were not submitted in 1998;2. A Solids Management Plan has not been submitted;3. Monitoring well information was not submitted;4. Monitoring reports were not submitted per the NMED requirements;5. One irrigation lagoon was unlined raising concern for leaching;6. Closure activities for the original treatment plant were not identified.

Wastewater System Deficiencies


General Aspects

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

Collection System Video inspection of portions of the system completed in May 2004; Replacement and/or rehabilitation of existing sewer mains; Replacement of existing manholes.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Evaluate high nitrate levels and make appropriate recommendations; Address NMED Notice of Non-compliance to include the following corrections;

1. Obtain and test effluent samples;2. Develop and submit a Solids Management Plan;3. Obtain and submit monitoring well information;4. Prepare and submit monitoring reports per the NMED requirements;5. Drain and line lagoons;6. Submit closure activities for the original treatment plant;

Determine effectiveness of floating baffles and possible alternative for repair.

Proposed Wastewater System Improvements

Total Estimated Cost - $TBD


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

ProductionThe following possible alternatives were recommended in the EPA’s Technical Assessment of

the Lordsburg Municipal Water System prepared in 2002 for the EPA: Discontinue or reduce to greatest extent possible, use of the Smith well; Continue pumping Wells No. 1 and No. 2 and S&P wells to minimize flouride with maximum

production; Reroute flow from Smith Well to the raw storage tanks as a supplement source of peak demand

water, only if effective blending at the tank is possible; Rehabilitate Wells No. 1 and No. 2 to include enclosure and upgrade or replace mechanical

equipment for optimum reliability and efficiency; Conduct engineering evaluations to determine appropriate treatment / blending scenario.

Distribution Replacement of deteriorated 12-inch transmission main to reservoir; Replacement of distribution system piping, valves and fire hydrants; Determine source of low water pressure in the southern half of the City’s water system.

Storage Verify that capacity of reservoirs is sufficient.

Proposed Water System Improvements

Total Estimated Cost - $TBD


General AspectsExisting System

Reservoir No. 1 Reservoir No. 2


Well No. 1

Smith Well

Well No. 2

S&P Well


WWTP Headworks

Lagoon No. 3Wetland Pond (typical of 6)

Lagoon No. 2


Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Continued exposure to high flouride levels may result in dental flourisis, skeletal flourisis rheumatic attack and pain and stiffness;

MCL for flouride is 4 mg/l – Wells No. 1, No. 2 and S&P Well exceeded this level previously;

Smith Well has exceeded the “unreasonable risk to health level” of 5 mg/l;

Direct injection of Smith Well into the system does not permit blending;

Water System

Wastewater System High levels of nitrates exceeding NMED standards observed at

monitoring wells;

NMED effluent information for June 2003 indicates high level of total nitrogen;


Environmental and Human Health IndicatorsCompliance with Environmental Norms & Regulations

Water System MCL for fluoride is 4 mg/l – Wells No. 1, No. 2 and S&P Well exceeded this level previously; NMED issued a Cooperative compliance order in May 2004 addressing the high fluoride

content in the City of Lordsburg.

Wastewater System NMED June 2003 effluent information indicates high level of total nitrogen; Monitoring well information indicates high levels of nitrates exceeding NMED standards; NMED issued notice of non-compliance in 1999 for the following:

1. Effluent samples were not submitted in 1998;2. A Solids Management Plan has not been submitted;3. Monitoring well information was not submitted;4. Monitoring reports were not submitted per the NMED requirements;5. One irrigation lagoon was unlined raising concern for leaching;6. Closure activities for the original treatment plant were not identified.


Environmental and Human Health Strategies Conduct a thorough analysis of the hydrological data relative to the

Lordsburg Basin and the City’s wells to ascertain the nature, possible source of high fluoride and impact to the Lordsburg community;

Describe the existing distribution system and address the threatening impacts of inadequate system looping and pipe deterioration;

Document the enforceable regulatory standard(s) which require minimum system design criteria for fire flow protection;

Water conservation measures should be incorporated in any future rate studies;

Prepare for an environmentally sensitive issues that may arise.


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

requires wastewater conditions from the City of Lordsburg;

Demonstrate appropriate institutional capacities:Obtain proper certifications.

Seek Training

NADB; Operator and administrative development

An operation and maintenance program will be developed as part of the project;

Develop water usage assessment, including possibilities for

conservation/reuse;

30% design review by system operator.


Provide the City of Lordsburg with adequate, affordable water service in compliance with State regulations;

Determine feasibility of blending Smith Well so that production may be increased;

Rehabilitation of existing water distribution system and improvement to existing production facilities.

Improvements to the WWTP to ensure compliance with NMED standards.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Project Objectives


Recommended Technical Approach

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

PDAP Eligible Tasks: Facility Plan Environmental Report Financial Analysis Public Participation Program Final Engineering Design

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


Institutional Capacity The Frank M. Tejeda Center has been contacted and may prepare a Statement of Institutional Capacity of the City of Lordsburg 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:

Administration/Operations Staffing Training


Technical Approach, Objectivesand Funding Plan

Recommended Technical Approach

Request TA for Planning Phase Tasks of eligible components: Facility Plan Environmental Review and Clearance Preliminary Financial Analysis Preliminary Public Participation Program

Documents to be prepared for consideration by potential funding sources.


Project Sponsor Financial Potential

Technical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan

General revenue generated by imposing a 7.0% sales tax;Currently property taxes are assessed;Maintains full-time staff to include utility personnel, city employees and police chief;Fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th for each year.

Current Rate Structure1,259 service connections.

2000 2001 2002

Operating Revenues 1,825,514 2,169,338 1,733,206

Operating Expense 2,246,295 2,782,912 2,246,737

Non Operating Revenues (Expense) 153,220 519,201 418,778

Total 267,561 94,373 94,753

Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund

Average Monthly BillFlat Rate Sewer $13.60Base Rate Collection $45.00Total $58.60


Identified Potential Funding SourcesTechnical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan

USDA-RUS Colonias Grant and Water and Waste Disposal Program –Water and Waste Disposal Program; USDA-FHA – In 1997 the City received $2,339,100 for WWTP.

New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (NMDFA) CDBG Fund - Grants for 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. New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA)

DWRF – Provides assistance for drinking water facilities; Technical Assistance Program – Assistance in loan or grant.

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) CWSRF – Funds for construction of wastewater facilities; RIP – Financial assistance for construction or improvement to water facilities; 1994 City received

a loan of $510,973 for water improvements. SAP – State grants provided to eligible communities; 2000 NM Legislature issued grant to

Lordsburg for $250,00 for equipment to reduce fluoride content. 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; 2002 Town received $1,306,378 in grants from NADBank for the WW Facilities Project.

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


Largest obstacle is cost associated with repaying loans;

Potential Obstacles

Public Participation Strategy

Local Politics Strong Mayor and Town Council form of Government; Government structure consist of a Mayor, six City Council members; Local organizations: Chamber of Commerce, City of Lordsburg City Hall;

Lordsburg/Hidalgo County Chamber; Hidalgo county, Lordsburg Police, Elks Club, Lordsburg schools, Social Services, Lordsburg Volunteer Fire Department; Lordsburg Welcome Center.

Socio-Economic Indicators Approximately 41.0% of the population, over the age of 25, has completed a high

school education; 2002 Census Information denotes 6.2% unemployment.


Project Schedule