Forward Planning - Removing the Gamble From Rapid Growth

1. Forward Planning -Removing the Gamble From Rapid Growth 2002 RMSAWWA/RMWEA Joint Annual Conference Steamboat Springs, Colorado September 18, 2002

2. Location

3. Existing Treatment Facilities

4. Pre 1990’s Situation • In 1988, Treatment Facility Capacity was Rated 9.5 mgd and Existing Flow was 5.2 mgd from a Population of 52,000 • No Surface Water Discharge Permit, Utilized Land Application and Evaporation • As Flows Increased and Winter Discharge Capacity Decreased, City Required All New Golf Courses to Use Reclaimed Water • Result was an Extensive Reuse Distribution System

5. Reuse Distribution System

6. Traditional Planning • Facility Plan with a 20 Year Planning Horizon • Winter Discharge Capacity Continues to Decrease (RIBs) - Need Surface Discharge • Recommendation was a 10 mgd Tertiary Mechanical Plant (WRF) with Discharge to the Las Vegas Wash • The 19.5 mgd Total Capacity was Designed for a 2010 Population of 145,000; Triple the 1988 Population

7. Population

8. WRF Begins • When the WRF Began Operation in 1994, the Flow was Already Exceeding 10 mgd • Because of Extensive Use, the Throughput of the RIBs was Reduced to 4 mgd; Total Treatment Capacity was now 14 mgd • Treatment Capacity Designed for 2010 Would Be Exceeded in 1998

9. Forward Planning Goals • To Meet the Ever Increasing Demands of a Growing Population • To Satisfy the Increased Use of Reclaimed Water • To Continue the City’s Commitment to Provide an Effluent that Consistently Exceeds the Regulatory Requirements

10. Forward Planning Projects • Bridging Capacity Improvements Project (BCIP) • Provide a “Bridge” to Allow the Planning of Subsequent Expansions • Expand Biological Treatment Capacity from 10 mgd to 20 mgd • Operational October, 1998 • Phase 1A • Expand Tertiary Treatment Capacity from 16 mgd to 20 mgd • Operational October, 2000 • Phase 1B • Expand Entire Facility from 20 mgd to 30 mgd • Phase 2 • Expand Entire Facility from 30 mgd to 40 mgd

11. BCIP

12. Phase 1A

13. Be Flexible • The Phase 1B Project (Designed as 15 mgd) Was Halted in November, 2000; Pending Resolution of Land Ownership and Associated Cleanup • Treatment Capacity of 24 mgd Will Be Exceeded about December 2003 Without an Expansion of WRF Capacity • Phase 1B Requires Minimum 36 months from NTP to Capacity Online • Influent Flow Vs. Existing Capacity Dictates that an Interim Capacity Project be Undertaken

14. Required Capacity To Anticipate Projected Flows

15. Water Reclamation Facility 3 mgd Expansion

16. Water Reclamation Facility 8 mgd Expansion

17. 8 mgd WRF Expansion Project Schedule • Bidding Anticipated 1st Quarter 2003. • Construction Complete 2nd Quarter 2006. • WWTP No. 3 / RIB’s (less BVP) Decommissioned at Completion.

18. Future Planning • Rapid Growth in Southwest • Utilities Reaching Capacity in Southwest • Sewer Interceptors • Reclaimed Water Distribution System

19. Future Satellite Facility • Site Identified, Property Available • Flow Monitoring Underway • Considering Initial 5 mgd Facility, Expandable to 10 mgd • Good Neighbor Facility (Covered, Odor-Controlled, No Solids Treatment)

20. Satellite Facility Site

21. Summary • Facility Plans with 20 Year Horizons Are Not Effective When You Grow By 1,000 people a Month For a Decade • Planning Must Be Continuous • There are Many Creative Ways to Expand an Existing Wastewater Plant • Be Flexible