12013 3rd Quarter

City of AtlantaMayor Kasim Reed

Department of Watershed Management

Margaret E. Tanner, P.E.Deputy Commissioner

March 31, 2014

22013 3rd Quarter

City of Atlanta Watershed Management Serves population of 1.2 million (450,000

night)• Adequate water supply and treatment capacity

2 ½ water treatment plants, 112 MGD (2 plants)• Adequate wastewater treatment plant capacity

4 wastewater treatment plants, 184 MGD 6 CSO facilities

Regional provider; 6 wholesale govt. customers

2,750 mi of water mains 1,900+ mi of sewer (50-100 yrs old)

• 15% combined, 85% separated 1,475 positions Annual budget $595M

32013 3rd Quarter

Department of Watershed Management

Watershed Management – Pre 2000

Long-term system under-investment Failed water utility privatization

• Consent Orders Flawed stormwater utility fee imposed

• $7 million refunded 2 Wastewater Consent Decrees

• 100+ overflows/yr at CSO facilities• 1,000 sewer spills in year 2000

Poor image• Insensitive• Inactive • Incompetent• Irresponsible

42013 3rd Quarter

CSO Consent Decree Success

Consent Decree issued Sept 1998, full compliance by Nov 2008 Reduced CSOs from ~100/yr to an expected average of 4/yr

• CSOs perform better than designed Total cost: $711M

West Area CSO Tunnel Boring Machine

52013 3rd Quarter

SSO Consent Decree

Consent Decree issued Dec 1999, full compliance by July 2014 (*extension)

Phased Approach to Capital Improvement Program• Phase I - Sewer System Evaluation

Survey (1600 miles)• Phase II - Sewer Rehabilitation• Phase III - Sewer Capacity Relief• Total -- $1.4 Billion Capital Program

Preventive Maintenance Program

62013 3rd Quarter

Post – 2000 Highest W&S Rates in US

72013 3rd Quarter

Compliance at a Price

71% decrease in number of spills to waters of the state

Success!

82013 3rd Quarter

Mayor Kasim Reed

Commitment to Community Provide effective solutions for real issues Community involvement Take action and follow through Commitment to Sustainable Initiatives

• Focus on green solutions• Focus on decreased carbon footprint• Focus on reduced energy consumption

Commitment to Environmental Protection

Comply with all regulations Manage infrastructure responsibly Build partnerships with state and federal

agencies

92013 3rd Quarter

2011 - New Strategic Direction

Reorganization of the Department•Focus on goals and

prioritiesCustomer serviceSafe workplaceRegulatory complianceEfficient Operations

102013 3rd Quarter

Achieving the Goals through New Initiatives Financial flexibility with CD extension

• 13 year extension; longest in U.S. (1999-2027)• Approx $450M work remaining• Ability to balance all needs

Integrated Water Resources• Data analysis • Asset management• Utilize technology• Sustainability & Green Infrastructure

112013 3rd Quarter

Promoting Sustainability Goal of green infrastructure - mimic the

natural hydrologic function • preserving conservation areas• reducing impervious surfaces• installing aesthetically-pleasing structural

measures such as green roofs, vegetated swales, permeable pavement,

infiltration planters, cisterns, and rain gardens. An alternative approach to managing

stormwater runoff Decreasing energy consumption Waste to energy program Enhancing aesthetics and public access/use

122013 3rd Quarter

Southeast Atlanta Green Infrastructure Initiative Background

• Homes built in historic stream channels; low lying areas where stormwater naturally drain

Stream channels were piped; floodplains still exist due to pipe overflows from capacity limitations

Combined sewer area out of conveyance capacity• Limited capacity often exceeded by high rainfall events• Stormwater runoff exacerbated by higher amounts of

impervious cover running across hard surfaces at greater velocities

• Over time, systems cannot accommodate developments Partial improvements made, leaving other problems Typical solutions can be disruptive, cost prohibitive

132013 3rd Quarter

Computer Simulation of Existing Conditions 25 year 4 hour “Critical” Storm

Drainage Area Total Area

(acres)

Impervious %

Mechanicsville/ Peoplestown 900 65%

Summerhill 505 58%

Grant Park 380 42%

Englewood Manor 715 42%

Assessment of Issues

142013 3rd Quarter

Phased Approach & Community Input Action Plan

• Immediate Response – Completed w/in 30 days

• Short Term Projects – Completed w/in 6 months

• Intermediate Projects - NTP: One completed, one in bid evaluation

• Long Term Projects - In Design Follow-up Meetings with Community

• Communicate phased approach• Inform them of alternatives &

schedule

152013 3rd Quarter

Short-Term Projects – March 2013 completedBioswale – Hill St

Rain Garden – Dunbar Elementary SchoolRain Garden – Whitehall Terrace

162013 3rd Quarter

Media Lot Vault• Completed

Feb 28, 2014 Permeable

Pavers Additional vaults

– in design Wet detention

ponds – in design

Intermediate Projects

Media Lot Vault

172013 3rd Quarter

Intermediate Projects – Permeable Pavers ~6 miles of permeable

pavers: • Mechanicsville• Peoplestown• Summerhill

AfterBefore

182013 3rd Quarter

Urban Waters Federal Partnership

“Through our partnership, we will revitalize urban waters and the communities that surround them, transforming overlooked assets into treasured centerpieces and drivers of urban revival.” www.EPA.gov

192013 3rd Quarter

Proctor Creek Watershed

DWM Activities• 319 Grant for Boone Blvd –

Greene Street• Streamwalks• WQ data collection• Spill response program• FOG education• Future BMPs• Future Green Infrastructure

projects• Pilot multifamily grease

recycling program

202013 3rd Quarter

Other Atlanta Green Infrastructure Projects

Green RoofCity Hall

Rainwater HarvestingSouthface

Rain GardenAdair Park

Pervious PavingEnglish Park

BioswaleFernbank Museum

Stormwater PlantersJuniper Street

(Proposed)

Pervious ConcreteFelder Street

Stormwater Bump-outWhitehall Terrace

212013 3rd Quarter