Wastewater Department
2010 Report
The existing Wastewater Treatment Facility continues to operate well despite high flows and aging equipment. The removal efficiency for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) remain above the minimum 85% required removal efficiency required by our discharge permit.
The Town received an Administrative Order from the EPA in April 2008 requiring the Town to come into compliance with new copper, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen requirements. The town secured funding and approached this project in 4 phases.
Phase I was the construction of an effluent pump station and rapid infiltration basins. This allows the treated effluent to be pumped to these basins where the effluent percolates down through the ground and into the ground water. This allows further treatment of the effluent and allows the water to still recharge the Cocheco River. This phase was started up on July 8, 2010 and has been operating continuously and with excellent results. Our goal is to not discharge directly to the river under any conditions. This phase came in under budget so the funding agencies allowed the town to incorporate some of the work that was nearing design completion in Phase II to be added to this phase. These additions are two new digester blowers with all new aeration piping and electrical
controls, new digester decant pump on slide rails, new headworks screen, and stairs to allow us to get safely to the top of the digester.
Phase II was designed, bid and awarded to Apex Construction Inc. on October 25, 2010. This phase is for the construction of the new wastewater treatment buildings, treatment tanks and remodeling and updating the existing building and tanks. The site contractor has removed approximately 10,000 cubic yards of dirt to make room for the new facility. Submittals for construction materials, equipment, etc. are being sent to the engineers and town for review and approval.
Phase III is for the removal of infiltration and inflow (I & I) into the collection system. I & I is clean groundwater or surface water that flows to the plant and has to be processed as wastewater. The more I & I we can remove, the cheaper it will be to operate the plant and the more capacity the plant will have to accommodate growth. Bay Road sewer main was found to be in very poor condition and is scheduled to be replaced in 2011. We did locate some leaks in the collection system piping which will also be repaired in 2011.
Phase IV is for future rapid infiltration basins (RIBS) if they are needed. If the new RIBS perform exceptionally well and with the reduction of I & I, the town may not be required to construct these additional RIB sites. This determination will be made at a later date.
If anyone wants to come by and see what has been done and how it operates, please call us at 755-4883 and we will be glad to show you around.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dale Sprague
Superintendent
Water Department
2010 Report
The Water Department currently operates three gravel packed wells and combined they average 271,115 gallons pumped per day.
We mailed the Annual Water Quality Report to all customers. This report describes the quality of drinking water they are receiving as well as some mandatory health effects language required by the EPA related to drinking water issues. We hope everyone had an opportunity to look at this report. If you need a copy or if you have any questions concerning your drinking water, or would like to tour the facilities, please call the Water Department at 755-4883.
We have been replacing or repairing at least one worn out gate valve along with replacing one old fire hydrant per year in order to improve operations and reliability of the distribution system.
The Security Grant awarded to the Water Department in 2010 by NHDES is completed. We completed the installation of 320 ft. of 8 inch water main on Union St. to remove a long existing dead end main. This will improve water quality and fire flows in this area. There are other areas of town where we will be adding new or replacing deficient water mains over the next few years, to improve overall water quality and fire flows.
We have contracted with a company that specializes in locating groundwater sources. Our goal is to locate any future groundwater sources and determine the best way to protect them from development and contamination. These will be the future water sources for the town. This is a multi-year project so we can spread the costs out and work within the existing operating budget.
Respectfully Submitted
Dale Sprague
Superintendent
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