HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Update_Feb 26 - UtilitiesCommon Council
Update
Utilities Committee
February 26, 2024
Eric Horvath, Public Works Director
Lead Service Lines
Water Service Line Material Inventory
•New EPA regulations requiring public water utilities to identify and map all drinking water service line materials connecting from City water mains to the customer’s home by October 2024.
•Water service line is the pipe that carries water from the City’s water main in the street to the house or building.
•The property owner owns the service line from the water main to the house.
•To create the inventory,
the City is using:
•Data-driven predictive
modeling
•Water insurance and
main break reports
•Residential surveys and
field verification
•Inventory will be
regularly updated and
maintained
Water Service Line Material Inventory
•City Water customers can get their water tested for lead for free.
•Test requires water to not be used for six hours prior to testing.
•If results show lead levels higher than 10 parts per billion, the
City will provide a water pitcher filter.
•Customers can request a lead sampling kit by calling 311 or
emailing waterquality@southbendin.gov.
Home Water Testing for Lead
Utility Assistance Program (UAP)
•Enrollment in program can reduce water and sewer bills by up to $25.50
per month for qualifying customers
•Program is open to homeowners and tenants
•Apply online at southbendin.gov/UAP
•Monthly discount is for one year and applicant must reapply every year
•2,810 customers currently enrolled
Utility Assistance Program (UAP)
•To be eligible, applicants must:
•Meet income guidelines (Be at or below 80% of the area median income)
•Receive sewer service from the City
•Residents who meet income guidelines are assigned one of four
tiers of credit
Utility Assistance Program
Income Eligibility Cutoffs as a
Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI)*
Credit Amount
>60% -80% of AMI $8.00
>45% -60% of AMI $14.25
>30% -45% of AMI $19.25
>0% -30% of AMI $25.50
Addressing Combined Sewer Overflows
Long Term Control Plan
•Initial Long Term Control Plan developed in 2012 to address
Combined Sewer Overflows into the St. Joseph River.
•Phase 1 of Plan completed at cost of almost $150 Million
•Phase 2 was expected to cost an additional $700+ Million
•In 2022 a new Plan was finalized and approved by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice
(DOJ) called SAGE –Smarter Alternative for Greener Environment
•Cost: $276 Million
•Timeline: 2022 -2038
Smarter Alternative for Greener Environment
•Smart sensors in our sewer system have
allowed the City to model and better
predict how the sewer system will handle
stormwater during rain events.
1432
2054
1199
801 890
445
715
410 399
705 612 613
395 338
634
259 364
42
48
36.5
29.5
41.9
29.8
35.8
39.9
33.5
57.3 58.6
64
53
49
55.22
43.6546.5
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
INCHES OF RAINOVERFLOW MILLION GALLONSOverflow Volume, MG Rain, IN Log. (Overflow Volume, MG)
•The SAGE Plan includes the following projects that will reduce
overflows into the river:
•4 large Combined Sewer Overflow storage tanks
•Major upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plan
•New sewer interconnects, green stormwater infrastructure, new river
crossing, among other things.
•Low interest loan secured from Indiana’s Clean Water Act –State
Revolving Loan Fund.
•Funding approved in 2023
•Tank and current WWTP improvements -$32 Million
Plan Funding
Current Projects
•First CSO storage tank has begun
construction
•Wastewater Treatment Plant
upgrades underway
•Second CSO storage tank project to
begin engineering soon (late 2024)
Water System Upgrades
Fellows Booster
Pumping Station
•Construct a new booster pumping
station along with distribution pipe
improvements, 3-phase 480V
electrical transformer (AEP) and
improved electrical feed to the
facility, and generator back-up
power.
•Budget: $8.2 M
•2024 Construction
South Distribution
& Facility
Improvements
•Install additional water main from
South WTP into South pressure
zone
•Install new dry chlorine scrubbing
equipment and replace fluoride,
chlorine and phosphate discharge
piping
•Budget: $5.5 M
•2024 Construction
Edison Water Treatment
Plant Improvements
•Improvements include:
•Rehabilitation of 8 filters including underdrains,
air scour, filter media, blowers, valves and
actuators
•Fluoride System Upgrades
•Electrical and Controls Upgrades
•Budget: $8 M
•2025 Construction