2007-02-19 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 19,2007
BOOK 3
PAGE 213
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in
Regular Session on Monday, February 19, 2007, at 11:05 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County
Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Chairman William A. Kopp, If.; District Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer;
District Commissioner William A. Caster; District Commissioner Ted Davis, If.; District Commissioner Nancy H.
Pritchett; County Manager Bruce T. Shell; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley and Clerk to the District Board
Sheila L. Schult.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
District Chairman Kopp announced that time had been reserved for anyone from the public to present an
item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. He requested all persons to limit their remarks to three minutes.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
District Chairman Kopp called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Water and Sewer District
Regular Meeting held on February 5,2007, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Greer, to approve the
minutes of the Water and Sewer District Regular Meeting held on February 5,2007, as presented by the Clerk to the
District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ENDORSEMENT OF SEWER PLANT CAPACITY EVALUATION
Tony Boahn, Vice-President of McKim & Creed, reported that at the request of the County they have
recently completed the Northeast Interceptor Reliability and Redundancy Evaluation and presented the results. This
report evaluated potential sewer plant capacity solutions for the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant and
Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant service areas.
The study recommends that the Northeast Interceptor system improvements currently under consideration
be modified to direct wastewater flow from Pump Station 35 (Bradley Creek) to the Northside Wastewater
Treatment Plan. This modification will provide the following primary benefits:
. Reduce wastewater loading to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
. Balance inflow to both the Southside and Northside Wastewater Treatment Plants.
. Retain the long-term ability of either facility to be expanded.
. Provide the same or increased level of "event" management.
In conclusion, Mr. Boahn reported that redirecting some of the flow from the Northeast Interceptor sewer
line to the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant from the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant will relieve
pressure on the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant and delay the need for an expansion within the next few
years. The timeline of the new plant will be 2009, coinciding with the completed expansion of the Northside
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
District Chairman Kopp requested the District Board endorse the recommendations presented by McKim &
Creed and strongly urge the City of Wilmington to consider the recommended diversion alternatives in their overall
plan and to move forward with implementing the recommendations.
Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Pritchett, to endorse the
recommendations presented by McKim & Creed and strongly urge the City of Wilmington to consider the
recommended diversion alternatives in their overall plan and to move forward with implementing the
recommendations. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 19,2007
BOOK 3
PAGE 214
HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR WASTEWATER SYSTEM UPDATE
County Manager Bruce Shell reported that on February 20, 2006, the Board approved contracting with W.
K. Dickson for professional services to renew the existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
and to develop an assessment of cost to provide service to the Highway 421 corridor area.
Dan Dawson, representing W. K. Dickson, reported that the study has been completed and in June 2006,
the Division of Water Quality renewed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit with conditions
of future progress and presented an overview of the study.
The study recommends constructing a new 4.0 million gallons per day wastewater treatment plant and
collection system located along the Highway 421 corridor with a new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permit to the Cape Fear River at an estimated cost of $48,077,000. Due to the large capital costs that will be
incurred, New Hanover County should consider implementing the project in phases, allowing high demand areas
along the Corridor to be served in the near future while delaying the costs of providing service to areas that will
unlikely require wastewater service for the next five to ten years.
In conclusion, Mr. Dawson presented the following recommendations for moving forward with the project:
. Investigate and pursue partnering opportunities with Pender County, the City of Wilmington, the
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority and private interests.
. Complete the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
renewal.
. Complete a study to more accurately determine the immediate and future anticipated development
patterns in the Highway 421 corridor.
. Complete a study to determine a viable outfall discharge location, including other innovative
approaches such as reuse, high-rate infiltration, a partnership with Progress Energy, and/or a
partnership with existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit holders.
. Pursue funding opportunities for phase 1 of the project.
After a brief question and answer period, District Chairman Kopp thanked Mr. Dawson for the presentation
of the report.
APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY THE LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY TO
CONDUCT A HIGHWAY 421 WASTEWATER FEASffiILITY STUDY WITH REGARD TO USE OF THE
COUNTY'S NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT
County Manager Bruce Shell reported that on February 12, 2007, the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer
Authority adopted a resolution to ask the County to allow the Authority to develop a feasibility study to build a
wastewater treatment plant using the County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in
conjunction with the Authority's plans to build a drinking water treatment plant that could provide potable water on
Highway 421 corridor.
District Chairman Kopp reported that in 2006 the District Board approved participating on a regional basis
with Pender County to bring water and sewer to the Highway 421 corridor. The Authority's request for this
initiative will accomplish this goal.
Don Betz, the Executive Director of the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority, reported that the
Authority is requesting to develop a feasibility study to build a wastewater treatment plant using the County's
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. This is in conjunction with the Authority's plans to build
a drinking water treatment plant that could provide potable water on the west side of the Highway 421 corridor. The
completion of both projects could result in considerable cost savings and provide economic development services.
The Authority is also requesting to use the recently completed reports submitted by W. K. Dickson and McKim and
Creed.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 19,2007
BOOK 3
PAGE 215
At the Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 5, 2007, the Pender County Board
approved proceeding with the plan to allow the Authority to build a 4 million gallon per day drinking water plant
rather than the initially proposed 2 million gallon per day drinking water plant. The Authority will use General
Obligation Bonds in the amount of $17.5 million that were approved in November 2006 to build the plant on
property that will be purchased from Pender County. New Hanover County and Pender County will have the option
of purchasing needed capacity from the Authority.
The Authority is requesting the District Board approve the request allowing them to develop a feasibility
study using the County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to build a wastewater treatment
plant on the same site as the drinking water plant. The Authority is also requesting access to the reports submitted to
the County by W. K. Dickson and McKim & Creed to aid them in the feasibility study.
District Commissioner Davis confirmed with Mr. Betz that the study will be done at the Authority's own
risk and cost for submission to the District Board for consideration.
District Vice-Chairman Greer requested that the study include the property on the west side of the Cape
Fear River including the Battleship Park area.
After brief discussion, District Chairman Kopp requested direction from the Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Chairman Kopp, to approve the request
by the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority to develop a feasibility study to build a wastewater treatment
plant using the County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit in conjunction with the
Authority's plans to build a drinking water treatment plant with the following conditions: 1) the Authority will have
access to studies completed by W. K. Dickson and McKim and Creed; 2) the study to include property on the west
side of the Cape Fear River including the Battleship Park area; and 3) the study results will be brought back to the
District Board within six months. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BREAK
District Chairman Kopp called for a lunch break at 12:35 p.m. untill: 18 p.m.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH THE PECK GROUP FOR MONITORING OF THE PROJECT TO
CONSTRUCT A DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT
County Manager Bruce Shell reported that the County is moving toward construction of a groundwater-
based drinking water treatment plant and wellfield in the northeastern part of the County. Staff is requesting the
Board approve the contract with The Peck Group as Project Manager providing consulting services to monitor
progress and assist in scheduling of the project in the amount of $23,400 for labor only, not including reimbursable
non-labor expenses, and the associated budget amendment #07-146 in the amount of $28,000. A report will be
given to the District Board within 45 days. At that time, the contract with The Peck Group will be reevaluated with
the County Manager bringing contract recommendations to the District Board.
District Commissioner Davis stated his concern in having to hire an outside firm to serve as Project
Manager and not handling the project in-house.
District Chairman Kopp stated that he felt that in order to get the project moving as quickly as possible, an
outside firm is needed and requested direction from the Board.
Motion: District Chairman Kopp MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Greer, to approve the contract
with The Peck Group to serve as Project Manager providing consulting services to monitor progress and assist in
scheduling the construction of a drinking water treatment plant in the amount of $23,400, not including reimbursable
non-labor expenses, and the associated budget amendment #07-146 with a report to the District Board within 45
days. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 1. District Commissioner Davis voted in opposition.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 19,2007
BOOK 3
PAGE 216
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
WATER AND SEWER UPDATE
County Manager Bruce Shell provided the Board with an update on the positive initiatives and expeditious
steps that are being taken by the County, City of Wilmington and Town of Wrightsville Beach concerning the
Northeast Interceptor and the moratorium that is in place.
APPROVAL TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR SEWER HOOK-UP FOR MIDDLE SOUND HOMEOWNERS
County Manager Bruce Shell reported that staff is recommending for the District Board's consideration, a
time extension to Middle Sound homeowners for sewer hook-up. Currently a March deadline is in place. An
estimated 40% of the 1,100 homes have received sewer hook-up. The deadline will be extended indefinitely.
After brief discussion, the consensus of the Board is to direct staff to extend the deadline indefinitely for
sewer hook-up to Middle Sound homeowners.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business, District Chairman Kopp adjourned the meeting at 1 :34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the District Board