Rapid Assessment ProcessProject Strategic Plan

City of MarfaWater and Wastewater System Improvements

Marfa, Texas

Presented to: Stakeholders and Project Sponsor

El Paso, Texas

February 6, 2003

General Aspects Environmental and Human Health Indicators Technical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan Public Participation Sustainable Development Project Development Schedule Stakeholder Comments/Discussion

Agenda

General Aspects

Project LocationMarfa is located in Pecos County on Highway 90 between Valentine to the Northwest and Alpine to the East.

Existing Water Supply and Distribution System

Water is supplied from three wells at a central site to a 1 MG Ground Storage Tank

Booster Pump Station at central site pumps chlorinated water to the system and an Elevated Storage Tank

Distribution system consists of three pressure zones made up of 1-inch to 8-inch water lines

Distribution system includes two booster pump stations, a stand pipe and ground storage tanks

General Aspects

General AspectsWater System Problems and Concerns

Water does not meet secondary drinking water quality standards for fluoride

Undersized and dead end lines resulting in: Low pressure areas Low chlorine residual Fire flow concerns

Concerns: Compliance with TCEQ regulatory requirements for fluoride, chlorine residual, low pressures and fire flows

Proposed Water Supply and System Improvements

Water supply improvements to meet TCEQ regulatory requirements for fluoride

Distribution system improvements to upsize and loop lines in problem areas to alleviate pressure, chlorine residual and fire flow concerns

General Aspects

General Aspects

Existing Wastewater Collection & Treatment System

WWTP consists of influent meter, bar screen, 2 Imhoff tanks and 2 sludge pits and 2 sludge drying beds

Effluent Disposal by irrigation of 62 acres of non-public access pasture land

Permitted flow = 0.120 MGD Average Flow = 0.08 MGD

Collection system comprised of 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-inch lines and two sanitary lift stations

Portions of system date back to late 1920’s

General Aspects

Wastewater System Problems and Concerns

Outdated, substandard technology – Imhoff Tanks

74 Year old WWTP

Effluent storage pond required by TCEQ – Condition of Permit

Undersized, substandard lines – old, 4-inch VC pipelines

Line condition suspect – deterioration, root intrusion, surcharged manholes.

General Aspects

Proposed Wastewater System Improvements

WWTP Effluent Storage Pond

WWTP Technology Upgrades

Relief or replacement of capacity deficient, problem area sewer lines

Total Estimated Cost

Budget for design and construction pending further definition of the needs, alternatives

analysis and project development.

General Aspects

General Aspects

Population: 2,121 / 2,178 / 2,355*

Annual growth rate: 2.0%** MHI: $24,712 Unemployment rate: 4.9% Legal utility provider 1,204 metered accounts 7 employees Collection efficiency: 98%

*2000 Census/TWDB Agreed/City of Marfa service area meters

**TWDB agreed upon

CDBG: $2.3 Million over the past 9 years

TDHCA: Grant for 2000 Planning study

No prior BECC assistance

Project Sponsor Profile: Prior Agency Support:

General Aspects

2000 – City of Marfa Planning Studies Document 2000-2004

1977 - Water and Sewer System Facilities Plan

1970 – City of Marfa Comprehensive Plan

Prior Studies:

Human Health Indicators

Fluoride levels close to 3 times the recommended level can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis.

Low or no chlorine residuals in dead end lines can lead to illness.

Specifically, improvements to the water supply quality will address concentration of fluoride, chlorine residual and minimum pressures.

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Environmental Indicators

Improvements to the water system are necessary to meet fire protection demands, which poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the City of Marfa residents.

The City’s three water wells are located on the same site such that if one is contaminated, it could affect all three. Alternate source is advisable.

Correction of collection system capacity problem will help mitigate overflows and resulting pollution.

WWTP upgrades will result in a controllable effluent discharge to fields.

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Compliance with Environmental Norms & Regulations Including Violations

Fluoride above secondary standard

Substandard water and sewer lines (1- & 2-inch water and 4-inch sewer)

Outdated WWTP technology – Imhoff Tanks

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Project Objectives Improve water treatment and distribution Improve wastewater collection and treatment.

Technical Approach Technical Assistance needed to develop documents which

may include: QAPP Facility Plan & Environmental Information Document Engineering Design Financial Analysis Public Participation Program Rate Study

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Technical Assistance TasksTask Source

RAP BECCFacility Plan and EID BECCFinancial Analysis BECCPublic Participation Program BECCPreliminary Design BECCProject Certification Document BECCFinal Design BECC/Other

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Identified Potential Funding Sources

USDA/Rural Utility Services (RUS) Funds tailored for rural areas with populations of less than 10,000 Grant

Texas Water Development Board SRF Loan

North American Development Bank (NADB) BEIF Grant and IDP Grant/Loan

Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) PDAP program Grant

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Institutional Capacity Building

The project sponsor identified such needs as a capital improvement plan, rate study and the development of public participation programs as institutional needs.

Additional needs may include assistance in both the institutional and human capacity to administer the project.

The Frank M. Tejeda Center has conducted an Institutional Capacity Needs Assessment with the City of Marfa.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Potential Obstacles

The project sponsor and the BECC are not aware of any legal issues that may jeopardize the proposed project, or any litigation problems with the current local government.

A notable potential obstacle is the high cost of providing water treatment to address the quality issues present in the water basin near the City of Marfa.

Rate modifications may also provide a potential obstacle for receiving community support.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Identification of Main Stakeholders City of Marfa, Texas TCEQ TWDB North American Development Bank Frank M. Tejeda Center Border Environment Cooperation Commission United States Department of Agriculture Environmental Protection Agencies

Local Politics The City of Marfa local government is comprised of a Mayor and five

representatives. The City passed a resolution on September 5, 2000 authorizing the Mayor to seek Technical Assistance from BECC.

Public Participation

Minimum Criteria Requirements

The City of Marfa made a commitment to comply to all applicable minimum requirements for the project in compliance with the BECC’s sustainable development criteria.

11 of 14 minimum requirements will apply to the project.

Sustainable Development

Project Development Schedule

Task Name Duration Start Finish

Rapid Assessment Process 129 days 08/22/02 02/18/03

Technical Assistance Process 130 days 08/22/02 02/19/03

Project Development Process(TA, Public Participation, NEPA)

462 days 02/19/03 11/25/04

Final Design Process 253 days 12/04/03 11/22/04

BECC Certification Process 42 days 11/17/04 1/13/05

Agency Perspectives - NADBTWDBTCEQUSDA

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Stakeholder Comments/Discussion

Thank you for your participation and valuable input.