Larger Cities Report Capital Improvement Needs

Just 32 of the larger cities in the United States expect to spend a combined $6.4 billion this fiscal year and more than $27 billion over the next five years on capital improvement projects to meet the needs of growth, aging infrastructure and anticipated regulations.

Officials with the nation's largest cities were asked to provide information on their projected water and wastewater capital improvement budgets for this fiscal year and the next five years. They also were asked to describe their largest projects planned for the five-year period for both water and wastewater.

Cities responding to the survey reported plans to spend a combined $3.2 billion on water projects and $3.69 billion on wastewater projects this fiscal year. Over the next five years, the cities projected they would spend an estimated $12.4 billion for drinking water and $14.8 billion for wastewater projects.

Wastewater projects led the way because of huge expenditures anticipated to meet Combined Sewer Overflow rules. While many large-scale CSO projects have been completed in recent years, still others are being planned. Washington, D.C., Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Nashville are all planning large-scale CSO projects. Atlanta is planning to invest $3 billion to combat its water quality problems, with projects planned for both CSO and SSO control. Nashville has applied for almost $300 million in grants for a variety of combined sewer overflow projects.

Cities have begun or are planning a wide range of projects to meet requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act as the 1996 amendments become regulation. Of particular concern are the Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBPR). Cities are also planning for the next stage of regulation, Stage 2 of the D/DBPR and the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.

The proposed arsenic rules will also drive construction, especially now that the EPA has decided to move ahead with the new standard of 10 ppb.

Not surprisingly, New York City and Los Angeles led the way with the largest capital improvement budgets for water and wastewater. New York came in with a whopping $8.8 billion projected budget for capital improvements relating to water supply and transmission, water distribution, water pollution control and sewer rehab and replacement. Other cities joining the Billion Dollar expenditure club when calculating combined water/sewer capital spending included Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Jacksonville, Phoenix and San Diego.

The following survey results include a brief description of projects planned by responding cities. All numbers have been rounded to the nearest tenth of a million (or billion). While most of the fiscal year numbers have been budgeted, the five-year figures are all projected expenditures and are subject to change.

• Wastewater current fiscal: $447
  Projected 5-year: 1,300

Projects: Atlanta is planning to invest $3 billion to combat its water quality problems. The majority of the work involves projects to control CSOs and SSOs. Under the authorized CSO plan, about 27% of the existing combined sewer area will be separated. The remaining combined system will be served by a tunnel storage and treatment system at two dedicated CSO treatment facilities. Projects will also include a sewer system evaluation followed by rehab or replacement; and major upgrades to the city's 14 sewage pump stations.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $54.5
  Projected 5-year: $210
• Wastewater current fiscal: $66.8
  Projected 5-year: $358

Water Projects: $28M for Ullrich Water Treatment Plant 160 mgd improvements; $21M for Safe Drinking Water Act improvements; $9M for water service to annexed areas. WasteWater Projects: $89M for SAR Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and improvements; $28M for In-Situ rehabilitation and replacement; $20M for deteriorated facilities.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $15.2
  Projected 5-year: $54
• Wastewater current fiscal: $32.2
  Projected 5-year: $90.7

Water Projects: Replace or line miles of pipe yearly.

Wastewater Projects: Sewer separation by installation of approximately 200,000 feet of new drains. Interceptor cleaning at $10M. Sewer separation is funded by a separate program through a regional agency.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $9
  Projected 5-year: $75M

Projects: The current year projects are all in water distribution system improvements. Over the next five years the district will spend $10M a year for distribution system improvements and approximately $5M a year for plant improvements.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $48
  Projected 5-year: $186.7
• Current fiscal: $75.8
  Projected 5-year: $371

Projects: One of the most significant projects for drinking water will be a major water transmission supply line at a cost of $60M. Other projects include water line rehab and replacement, $29M; and $15M for the Catawba pump station upgrade. Wastewater: The largest wastewater project is the McDowell WWTP expansion, $66M. It is being expanded in two phases from 6-9 mgd in the first and 9-12 mgd in the second phase. Other projects include sewer line rehab, $29M; and improvements to the McAlpine WWTP, $29.95M.

• Current fiscal: $267
  Projected 5-year: $1.3 billion

Projects: Chicago's largest projects relate to its Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), which is in its final phases. Projects include developing new quarries that will be converted into stormwater retention reservoirs with a total capacity of 15 billion gallons. Along with the project comes fairly substantial electrical/ mechanical work including adding pumps, controls, aerators, etc. At its treatment plants, the city has two very major distributed control system projects going. Just opened bids on a $25M contract to do instrumentation and telemetry at three of its midsize plants. A $70M distributed control project is planned for the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $152
  Projected 5-year: $600

Projects: Annual 50 mile water main replacement program, $48M; Southwest pumping station generators and switchgear, $15-$20M; South water purification plant chlorination facility, $20-$25M.

• Wastewater current fiscal: $98.4
  Projected 5-year: $370

Projects: The district plans to enlarge two of its wastewater treatment plants, primarily to treat wet weather flows at a cost of about $30M in the five-year period. Major SCADA and computerization upgrades are also planned. The district will spend an estimated $40M on two projects to relocate interceptor sewers as part of its CSO program.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $60
  Projected 5-year: $500-$700

Projects: Cleveland is planning major renovations at three of its four water treatment plants. Projects include major repairs to filtration systems, redoing pump stations, new intake structure, renovating old reservoirs and constructing new ones, new control systems at all the plants, and replacement of aging infrastructure.

• Current fiscal: $60.3
  Projected 5-year: $253.2

Projects: Water plant raw water line, $23M; Upground reservoir, $54M; South wellfield expansion, $12.3M; Water main rehabilitation, $25M.

• Current fiscal: $106
  Projected 5-year: $363.5

Projects: Recycled water project, $82M. Gravel Pit Storage below Metro Wastewater, $17M. Conduit 16 & 22 improvements, $8M. Marston Plant 1 improvements, including new filter plant. Improvements will address issues associated with ageing and condition, water quality, water production efficiency and safety. Project includes upgrades to the Marston Water Quality Lab. $32M. Foothills plant disinfection & new clear water basin, $22M.

• Current fiscal: $32.6
  Projected 5-year: $126.8

Projects: North primary grit basins/sludge pump Nos. 4 and 5 rehabilitation, $6.8M; South primary effluent conduit rehabilitation, $4M; Chlorination/ dechlorination building fire code improvements, $4.5M; Flow equalization, $6.7M; High solids centrifuge improvements, phase 1, $9.6M; and Central Plant electrical distribution rehabilitation, $12.5M.

• Current fiscal: $350
  Projected 5-year: $2 billion

Projects: Detroit is planning to spend $450 million over the next five year to complete improvements and enhancements to its single, huge wastewater treatment plant. The work is being driven by court order and the plant is currently under federal supervision. Other projects include major collection system rehabilitation and a large-scale CSO program that will stretch out over 10 years. Included is a $660 million tunnel project.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $150.2
  Projected 5-year: $613
• Wastewater current fiscal: $5.9
  Projected 5-year: $59.3

Water Projects: Seismic improvements to the Claremont Tunnel: $42M. Southern Loop seismic improvements which includes construction of a new, 11 mile, large diameter (36-42 inch) pipe and necessary pumping, $51.8M. Treatment plant expansion, from 60 to 91 mgd, $72.6M. Water distribution piping replacement, $81M (the goal is to replace 3,990 miles of line on an annual basis).

Wastewater: Seismic improvements to the Main WWTP, $6.8M. Pump station upgrade and related pipe network: $10.25M. Interceptor sewer rehab: $17.79M. Electric power system upgrades, including seismic work and back-up power feeds, $19.9M.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $42.7
  Projected 5-year: $222.8
• Wastewater current fiscal: $46
  Projected 5-year: $113.4

The above totals do not include $12,000,000 for Water Rehabilitation projects and $12,000,000 for Wastewater Rehabilitation projects. These projects are infrastructure maintenance cash funded annually.

Water Projects: North Holly Water Treatment Plant Improvements, Phases I & II, $32M; Rolling Hills WTP 40 mgd facilities upgrade phases I, II & III, $38M.

Wastewater: Village Creek High Flow Facilities, including installation of a ballasted flow flocculation device rated at 80-100 MGD and new screening facility, 38,000,000. Village Creek WWTP Uprating improvements, including structural rehabilitation of primary clarifiers, modification of weirs in the old clarifiers, modifications of effluent flow routing at the end of the aeration basin and electrical system improvements, $8M.

• Drinking Water current fiscal: $178
  Projected 5-year: $680
• Wastewater current fiscal: $108.7
  Projected 5-year: $724

Drinking Water Projects: Projects include $140M for surface water transmission projects, $119M for neighborhood water main renewals and $101M for expansion, upgrades and optimization at two treatment plants. $66M is planned for ground storage tank construction and rehabilitation.

Wastewater: Projects include 4159M for neighborhood sewer rehab projects, $145 million for neighborhood sewer system improvements; $100M for WWTP and $64M for pump and lift station replacement and renewal.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $101.7
  Projected 5-year: $399.2
• Wastewater current fiscal: $136
  Projected 5-year: $626.5

Projects: Water: raw water line river crossing, $19.7M; River crossing for north grid well field, $12.5M; Cecil Commerce Center WTP and wells, $20M. Water main replacement with pipe bursting, $114.5M; water line rehab and repair using conventional construction, $15M; network meter reading project, $44M.

Wastewater: Buckman biosolids project, $10.6M; Buckman WWTP improvements, including BNR and Denite filters, $57.6M. Pipe bursting program, $330M; sewer rehab with conventional construction, $25M.

• Wastewater current fiscal: $373
  Projected 5-year: 1,592

Projects: East Central Interceptor Sewer Project involves the construction of an 11-mile long, 11-foot diameter sewer pipeline, $270M. North East Interceptor Sewer Project is a 9.5-mile long sewer, $165M. Nitrogen removal projects at two water reclamation plants are estimated to cost $32M. These projects involve the modification of the aeration basins to improve nitrogen removal.

• Current fiscal year: $300
  Projected 5-year: $1500

Projects: Los Angeles is currently planning a $2.7 billion, 10-year capital improvement program. A significant portion of the work designed to ensure the department is in compliance with the Surface Water Treatment Rule. The department also has a number of infrastructure projects focusing on pipeline rehabilitation and replacement, including replacement of aging trunk lines. Work dealing with open distribution reservoirs is also planned, along with money earmarked for arsenic removal. Environmental work in Owens Valley is expected to cost $275M over the next six years.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $79.5
  Projected 4-year: $379

Projects: The Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) is currently designing Capital Improvement projects at an estimated construction amount of $172M. The work includes over 177,280 linear feet of large diameter pipelines (24-inch through 60-inch), 95M gallons (mg) of additional reservoir storage, and an additional pumping station capacity of 250M gallons per day (mgd). The design schedule for years 2003 through 2006 calls for an additional 120 mg of storage, 200 mgd of additional pumping station capacity, and pipeline projects adding 185,000 linear feet of large diameter pipe to our distribution system. These later year water facility expansion projects have an estimated construction value of $155M.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $108.9
  Projected 5-year: $379.4
• Wastewater current fiscal: $177.97
  Projected 5-year: $595.9

Projects: Drinking water — Ozonation plant, to be constructed by 2005 at a cost of $49.4 million. South Miami-Dade Water Treatment Plant, design and construction of a membrane softening plant to treat water from the Biscayne Aquifer, $85M. Wastewater — Peak flow management facilities to transmit and treat wet weather flows, $206M; Infiltration/exfiltration/inflow program, to include repairs to the collection system, $107.7M.

• Current fiscal: $167
  Projected 6-year: $906

Projects: The most significant projects over the next five years include construction of 7.4 miles of 20 ft. diameter relief sewer. It will provide 89M gallons of storage. The district is also upgrading instrumentation and controls through the system to maximize the treatment of wastewater. It anticipates spending $300M on flood management projects, including a 260M gallon flood detention facility. The district is also taking very active role in reducing infiltration and inflow into the separate sewer system, including initiating work on private property in the next couple of years to control some of that inflow.

• Current fiscal: $14.2M
  Projected 5-year: $90

Projects: Milwaukee recently completed large-scale projects. Projects for the period include pump replacement, rehabilitation and maintenance, and increased security.

• Current fiscal: $77M
  Projected 5-year: $554M

Projects: Significant projects underway or in the 5-year period include: Metro Plant Solids Processing Improvements, projected cost $201.7M. Metro Plant Liquid Treatment - The project completes the retrofit of the remaining three-fourths of the secondary treatment system to provide phosphorus removal, projected cost is $69.6M. Empire Plant expansion and upgrade, $136M. South Washington County Plant, a new 10 mgd wastewater treatment plant, $50M. Constructing a gravity interceptor system, based on a facility planning study of the Elm Creek watershed, $95M.

• Water & Sewer current fiscal: $65.6
  Projected 5-year: $335

Drinking water projects include construction of a 48 inch line to replace a failing 60 inch line. Third phase of a treatment plant upgrade to 90 mgd. The $15M phase includes installing controls and automation. Reservoir projects, including building three 3-milliong gallon reservoirs, will cost $9M.

Wastewater: Nashville has applied for almost $300M in grants for a variety of combined sewer overflow projects. Major projects currently underway include a 54 inch interceptor, $12M; and a variety of pipeline rehabilitation and repair projects for sewers. Another major project, $6.2M, will include power system improvements at the central treatment plant.

• Water current fiscal: $700
  Projected 5-year: $3.3 billion
• Wastewater current fiscal: $1.3 billion
  Projected 5-year: $5.5 billion

Water projects include construction of the Croton filtration Plant. NYC drinking water is currently unfilter. The Croton system supplies about 10 percent of the city's water supply. The project is expected to cost $800 million. Wastewater projects include upgrading the Newton Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to full secondary treatment at a cost of $1.7 to $2 billion.

• Current fiscal year: $23
  Projected 5-year: $355

Projects: Construction of an additional water treatment facility and well field, $300M. The plant is needed to meet the increased water demand and growth of Omaha. Construction to begin in 2004.

The utility is also considering conversion to chloramines for secondary treatment. The project would include construction of ammonia storage and feed facilities at two existing treatment plants.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $46
  Projected 5-year: $250
• Wastewater current fiscal: $47
  Projected 5-year: $255

Projects: Rehabilitation to the North side HVAC System at the Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant, $15M; Rehabilitation of Sampling Lines at the Queen Lane Water Treatment Plant, $4M; Rehabilitation and Improvements of the Aeration Tanks at the Northeast Water Pollution Control plant; $12M; Water Pump Controls Replacement: $4M; New Collection System Control Center, $4.5M; Dobson's Run Storm Flood Relief, $18M; Queen Lane High Service and Express Pumping Station, $8M; Dechlorination Facilities at the three waste water plants, $5M.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $140
  Projected 5-year: $900
• Wastewater current fiscal: $79
  Projected 5-year: $386

Water Projects: Construction is underway on 16 miles of 48"-54" main (including 6,000 feet of mountain tunnel) and a 50 mgd booster to serve SE Phoenix at a cost of $75M. Construction of a 4 mgd reclamation plant is planned in 2003 at a cost of $38M. Construction of an 80 mgd treatment plant is planned in 2004 at a cost of $204M.

WasteWater Projects: Construction is underway on a 30 mgd treatment plant expansion at a cost of $64M. Construction of a treatment plant expansion in 2005 at a cost of $110M. Large diameter sewer rehabilitation program is planned for the next 5 years at a cost of $31M.

• Current fiscal: $83
  Projected 5-year: $210

Projects: Expand plant to handle wet weather flows, $103M; Expand dry weather plant capacity from 225 mgd to 275 mgd, $51M; Plant odor control facilities, $26M; rehabilitate manholes, diversion structures, pipe, etc., $11M; Misc. plant upgrades, including scum & grease facilities, boiler system, mechanical systems, site work, etc, $14M; CSO controls, $5M.

• Current fiscal: $30
  Projected 5-year: $170 ($410M over 10 years)

Projects: Bull Run treatment, an $18M project over 10 years to bring the treatment plant up to anticipated standards of the Long-Term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. Bull Run Development: $13.5M to investigate the feasibility of expanding the water supply capacity of the Bull Run Watershed, including raising Dam 2, greater use of Bull Run Lake and construction of Dam 3. Groundwater system upgrades, $21M; covering or replacement of open reservoirs, $29M. $55M over 10 years for distribution main replacement and repair.

• Drinking Water current fiscal: $146.4
  Projected 5-year: $528.5
• Wastewater current fiscal: $127.8M
  Projected 5-year: $663.7

Water Projects: Alvarado Water Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion, $197.5M. Miramar Water Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion, $143.5M. Annual Allocation - Water Main Replacements, $50M.

WasteWater Projects: Infrastructure Upgrade and Replacement, $305.4M. Sewer Main Replacements, $39.7M. Sewer Pump Station, $26.1M. Trunk Sewer Rehabilitation, $21.7M. Wet Weather Storage Facility, $48.1M.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $225
  Projected 5-year: $200-$600
• Wastewater current fiscal: $37
  Projected 5-year: $100

Water Projects: A $2.5 billion 10-year capital improvement program for drinking water has been developed. Financing for this program will depend on additional debt authorization from the voters. Absent such authorization, main focus will be on maintenance and repair projects. Large-scale projects would include major transmission pipelines seismic upgrades and repairs, at a cost of $600M over 10 years, a new pipeline project for $300M; and $90M in treatment plant upgrades.

WasteWater Projects: A $560M 10-year capital improvement program has been Developed for wastewater, also contingent on financing. Approximately $300M in improvements are planned for the district's Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant over 10 years. Without voter approval, the district would spend approximately $25 million per year on rehab and replacement.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $25
  Projected 5-year: $125

Projects: The primary focus will be on pipeline rehab and replacement. The system has 2,200 miles of pipe 50 years to 103 years old. Plans are also in place to upgrade treatment facilities to comply with safe drinking water regulations. Seismic retrofits are also planned to above-ground facilities including tanks, pump stations and other structures.

• Current fiscal: $214
  Projected 5-year: $846.6

Projects: River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, $180M; Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility Ozone Addition, $60M; Raw Water Pumping System, $109M; North Valley Lateral, $60M

Drivers: For the past five years, Census Bureau statistics designate Southern Nevada as the fastest growing region in the United States. New residents move here at the rate of 5,000 per month. For this reason, the Southern Nevada Water Authority has developed a program of improvements to enhance the reliability and quality of the existing water treatment and delivery system to the Las Vegas Valley.

• Current fiscal: $53.7
  Projected 5-year: $205

Projects: Rehab and repair of the distribution system, $38M; upgrades of potable storage, including new reservoirs and repair of existing structures, $11.5M; $12.3M for potable pumping; $41.2M for transmission mains; $17.8 in potable source development, production well sites, drilling, disinfection upgrades, well equipment, etc.; and another $10.7 in recharge projects.

• Current fiscal: $45
  Projected 5-year: $149.5

Projects: Increasing the capacity of the Randolph Park WRF from 1.5 mgd to 3.0 mgd, including upgrading existing conveyance lines, $20M; Santa Cruz interceptor improvements, $15M; Green Valley WWTF upgrade and expansion of the 2.1 mgd facility by the addition of a 2.0 mgd oxidation ditch, $16.8M; and Ina Road WPCF process change and expansion to 37.5 mgd from the current 25 mgd capacity, $97.5M.

• Drinking water current fiscal: $49
  Projected 5-year: $294
• Wastewater current fiscal: $98
  Projected 5-year: $678.2

Projects: Improvements to wastewater treatment liquid processes/Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (improvements to primary treatment units, transition to alternate disinfectants, process control system), $334M; Improvements to biosolids digestion and dewatering, including egg-shaped digesters, at Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, $194M; Initial combined sewer overflow abatement projects, $73M; Sanitary sewer system rehabilitation/extension, $75M; and Water system rehabilitation/ improvement, $243M. WW/