HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/05/2009 - RESOLUTION 2009-043 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER ITEM NUMBER: 21
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: May 5, 2009
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Lisa Voytko
Kevin Gertig
SUBJECT
Resolution 2009-043 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Project Agreement with the Water
Research Foundation to Conduct a Research Study Regarding Watershed Analysis.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of this Resolution.
The Water Board unanimously supported this recommendation at its meeting on September 25, .
2008.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff time,including finance and legal,is estimated at$5,500. The City will also contribute$80,000
and the Water Research Foundation will contribute $80,000 to the study funding. The City's
contribution and staff time have been appropriated as part of the Water Utility budget for 2009.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This agreement would support the research study,"Watershed Analysis of Dissolved Organic Matter
and Control of Disinfection By-Products." The investigation will include,but not be limited to,the
effects of pine beetle infestation on water quality, and the potential for photodegradation of
dissolved organic matter in Horsetooth Reservoir water. The result of the study would be a
workable model for making watershed and water treatment facility(WTF) management decisions.
BACKGROUND
The Water Research Foundation (the Foundation), formerly the AwwARF, and the City of Fort
Collins have worked on several research studies collaboratively. The relationship between the
Foundation and the City has most recently been supported by Council on the Joint Front Range
Climate Change Vulnerability Study currently underway.
The two contributing watersheds to the City's water treatment facility(WTF)have their own unique
characteristics, which are influenced by environmental and other causes. These include pine beetle
infestation, spring runoff, climate change, and rising total organic carbon (TOC) levels. It is
May 5, 2009 -2- Item No. 21
important to be able to consistently provide high quality water to the City's customers, and to
maximize the water rights available to the City, during periods of inconsistent raw water quality.
This study is a tailored collaborative effort, and will be primarily conducted by the University of
Colorado, with some assistance from the City of Fort Collins. The goal of this study is to
characterize dissolved organic matter(DOM)on a watershed scale such that disinfection by-product
formation at the WTF and distribution system can be controlled.
The six specific tasks are:
1. Analysis and characterization of historic watershed data
2. Watershed sampling and analysis
3. Bench-scale chlorination
4. Solar simulation
5. Watershed water and mass balance
6. Watershed modeling
The results of the study will be utilized in a model that will allow the City to assess the DOM
concentration and composition at critical points in the watershed, allowing the application of the
model to help with the management decisions in the watershed and the treatment plant.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Water Board meeting minutes, September 25, 2008.
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Water Board minutes
September 25, 2008 Isee movement toward a more fiscal gn e�ryative
tdn5s`ed^in rrt tad"` m a u get proposal, and
;ere outlined in the attached document.
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Upper Cache La Poudre (CLP)Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Program
Senior Process Engineer Judy Billica presented information on a collaborative program with the
City of Greeley and the Tri-Districts to study common water quality issues. Dr. Jim Loftis with
Colorado State University was hired in 2006 to study historical data generated by the Cities of
Fort Collins and Greeley, used as the basis for the monitoring program design. Dr.Billica
reviewed dominant characteristics of Upper CLP water quality.
The program was designed to address the following objectives:
• Current and future water treatment process needs;
• Time and space patterns in water quality;
• Mass loads calculation;
• Standards compliance; and
• Watershed protection activities prioritization.
Sampling events occur throughout the year across a variety of watershed sites. Laboratory
analysis takes place at the Fort Collins Utilities Water Quality Lab. Each entity contributes about
$41,000, and a portion of Fort Collins' share is in the form of in-kind contribution for data and
program management services.
Other Upper CLP projects include TOC characterization, installation and maintenance of flow
gauging stations by USGS and low-level mercury sampling analysis every three to five years for
background data. Another project with USGS would provide updates on the existence of
personal care products in the watershed every five years.
The 2007 program budget was $187,000,and the 2008 adopted budget is $324,000, an increase
of$135,000, used for hiring a Watershed Specialist,implementing the program and supporting
special projects, such as the TOC Characterization Study. The 2009 budget should be slightly
less at $310,000.
Questions from the Board:
Will this study look at new threats to water quality, such as new mining projects in the area?
Hopefully, the monitoring program captures impacts. Mining sites also were studied in the
State's Source Water Assessment, and field verification by staff is needed. Utilities is paying
attention and taking action on the prevention side.
From a watershed protection basis, would Utilities ever participate in Lorimer County land use
decisions?
Utilities would participate for any areas above our intake. Potential impacts from grazing
allotments, the pine beetle kill crossing over the Continental Divide and forest fires also are
studied by staff.
Whenever there is a sampling at any site, is an instantaneous flow measurement made?
For some of the sites, integrated flow measurements are taken. Flow gauging stations are desired
for other sites.
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Board Member Balderson praised Utilities for the collaboration and cost-sharing approach with
the other entities.
Source Water TOC Projects (Total Organic Carbon)
Dr. Billica asked for a recommendation from the Board on a proposed two-year project with the
University of Colorado to develop focused management tools for processing data from a current
UCLA project. This project would provide the opportunity to work with Dr. Scott Summers, an
international expert on disinfection byproducts (DBP)potential, and Dr. Diane McKnight, an
expert on the occurrence of dissolved organic matter(DOM) in natural systems,both with the
University of Colorado at Boulder. Matching funds are available from the American Water
Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF). This project would focus strategically on
the Fort Collins Water Treatment Facility and use fluorescence to investigate the relationship
between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in watershed and DBP at the treatment plant.
The City of Fort Collins paid the total cost of the UCLA project and invoiced the other
participant entities. Dr. Billica asked for approval to use the reimbursements of$80,000-90,000
for the new project. In order to access the matching dollars from AwwaRF, a Joint Funding
Agreement must be signed, requiring Council approval.
Questions from the Board:
Is more effective treatment behind the desire to better characterize TOC?
Through Dr. Billica's work of the last 10 years on the Poudre River, we know'Y' amount of
TOC removal can be achieved. There is the opportunity to control and minimize DBPs for the
Fort Collins public, a Water Quality Policy goal. Operations staff need inputs and tools to make
this model work, based on real time data,to maintain cost efficiency and high quality water
during a time when costs continue to increase.
Is there data to indicate the source of TOC makes a difference in terms of how to treat it?
Source is definitely related to characteristic. For example, there is evidence in literature
indicating it is easier to remove humic substances.
Are there any outstanding commitments to pay off from these funds(from other entities)or
any need to use the reimbursements for funding new proposed projects?
None have been identified. This study focuses strictly on our treatment plant.
Board Member Wockner encouraged staff to consider and quantify the question of public health
when presenting this to Council. It would also be important to note the business and economy
sectors built upon the high quality water in Fort Collins.
Recommendation for Motion:
Board Member Bartholow moved the Board endorse the study as outlined with all clarifications
outlined. There is a known and potentially serious problem with obvious changes to the
watershed, and answers to serious questions are lacking. This is a forward-looking approach.
Vice Chairperson Janett seconded the motion.
Discussion on the Motion:
There was no discussion on the motion.
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Vote on the Motion:
A vote was taken on the motion, and it passed unanimously (8 for,0 against).
Committee Reports
Engineering Committee (Board Member Balderson): No report.
Water Conservation Committee (Board Member Phelan): The City and Poudre School
District have agreed to allow tours of the Water Treatment Facility. The com ' ee has been
working on the commercial landscape standards plan to encourage efficientr in water
conservation and seeks an update on the status of the Water Conservatio ,Ian from staff.
Legislative, Finance and Legal Committee(Board Member Pillard):j report.
Instream Flow Committee(Board Member Wockner): The group i� orking to create a goals
statement and has asked staff for a timeline for the instream floypic.
Water Supply Committee(Board Member Waskom): No report
Staff Reports
Water Supply Manager Dennis Bode submitted the Treated Water Production Summary&Water
Supply Outlook for the Board's review. TheZereasked
muse in August due to rains, and
September use has also been fairly low.
Other Business
2009 Work Plan: Chairs of each committee to review this year's work plan and
submit a draft of their 2009 work plan by mail to the entire Board. Committee chairs were
asked to mark completed items "done"o the draft.
Year End Meeting Schedule: Potenti `agenda items warranting November and December
meetings will be finalized soon.
Adiournment
The meetiZ
adjourned p.m.
SubmitteExecutive Administrative Assistant
Fort Colli //����
ApprovedC�� LY/t' Z3 , 2008
Signed
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Robin erce a�
chment:
ockner Document
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RESOLUTION 2009-043
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROJECT AGREEMENT WITH
THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION TO CONDUCT A RESEARCH STUDY
REGARDING WATERSHED ANALYSIS
WHEREAS,the Water Research Foundation(formerly AwwARF) (the"Foundation"), has
approved a research proposal for a study entitled,"Watershed Analysis of Dissolved Organic Matter
and Control of Disinfection By-Products;" and
WHEREAS, the Foundation has agreed to contribute $80,000 towards the total cost of the
proposed study of$160,000; and
WHEREAS, the City's proposed contribution for the study is $80,000, with an additional
contribution of staff time to be dedicated to the study in the amount of$5,500; and
WHEREAS, in order to proceed with the research, the Foundation requires that the
participating entities execute a project agreement,in substantially the form of the project agreement
on file in the office of the City Clerk, and dated April 20, 2009, (the Project Agreement); and
WHEREAS, the funds and staffing to be contributed by the City in accordance with the
Project Agreement are available and have been appropriated as part of the Water Utility budget for
2009; and
WHEREAS, the study will be performed by regional experts in this field, and reviewed by
other experts throughout the global community, and the benefits of such a study will be multiplied
by other recent studies performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City Manager is hereby authorized enter into the Project Agreement, in
substantially the form which is on file with the City Clerk, subject to modifications in form or
substance as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, may deem necessary to
effectuate the purposes of this Resolution or to protect the interests of the City.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 5th
day of May A.D. 2009.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk