Winchester Municipal Utilities

·         Following is the status of easement acquisition for the following projects:

·         Forest Park Sanitary Sewer Improvements:  Grant No. SX21049005

The improvements are a Consent Decree project with an original completion date of July 31, 2012.  The Commission approved an extension of the contract time at its regular meeting on September 15, 2011.  The change establishes December 19, 2011 as the completion date for the project.   The project scope includes installation of approximately 3,000 feet of sanitary sewer line and the elimination of three sanitary sewer pump stations.  Grant funds in the amount of $750,000 have been received from an Economic Development Grant as well as $750,000 from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to cover the estimated construction cost of 1.5 million.  Conn Hurst, LLC was the low bidder for the project with a bid of $956,355.00.  All pipe construction is complete.  The Maryland Avenue, Smith Manor and Wabash Pump Stations have been removed from service.  With completion of the pipe work and pump station decommissioning the contractor has begun clean-up work associated with the project.  A change in the contract time will be required in order to complete site restoration associated with this project.     

·         Bel-Air Sanitary Sewer Improvements:  CWSRF# CWL12001

The improvements are a Consent Decree project with a completion date of July 31, 2013.  Palmer Engineering Company (PEC) was selected to design plans to provide a road bore and gravity sewer to eliminate Bel-Air and Westside pump stations as well as the sanitary sewer overflows associated with these pump stations.  Cost for design will be paid from Depreciation funds with construction cost slated to be financed via KIA funds at a cost of $1,000,000.  Management met with Division of Water officials on October 28, 2011 to outline requirements regarding the financing moving forward.  Documentation has been forwarded to DOW and other regulatory agencies in order to obtain approval for construction of the project.  Design work has been completed with walking of the proposed alignment on August 23, 2011.  WMU staff has authorized Palmer to move forward with finalization of the plans for the project.  All affected property owners were contacted prior to moving forward to outline any potential problems with easement acquisition.  Currently staff is awaiting DOW approvals and easement descriptions in order to move this project forward.   

·         South Main Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements: Grant No. SX21049016

The project will renew sanitary sewer service to 20 residences, will eliminate private sanitary sewers serving six residences, and will provide new sanitary sewer service to 42 unserved residences.  PEC is the Engineer of Record.  Preparation of the Contract Documents is complete; easement acquisition is being finalized.  The project will not be advertised for bid until easements are in place and a property owner meeting has been conducted.  Approval for advertising and constructing the project has been granted by the funding agency.  The project will be split into two phases pending the availability of funds for construction of the improvements.  Staff and PEC have finalized the plans for the project.  Staff is anticipating having this project ready for advertisement to bid in January/February 2012 with a March/April 2012 start of construction. 

·         Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP)

This is a Consent Decree project with a completion date of June 2012.  The SEP involves a study of the streams in the Lower Howards Creek Watershed and development of a Lower Howards Creek Watershed Management Plan (LHCWMP).  The SEP will be funded in the amount of $203,000.  During the Second Quarter of 2011, WMU staff solicited a Request for Qualifications from consulting engineers for the project.  Palmer Engineering Company was selected and authorized to proceed with the work.  The first public meeting with invitations to public bodies, citizens and interested parties was conducted on July 14, 2011.  The Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) was submitted, revised and approved by KDOW during the Third Quarter.  Stream sampling for the project area is underway.  The second public stakeholder meeting was conducted on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.  The meeting provided an update on the current status of the project and site selection for Phase 2 sampling sites.   A DRAFT plan is scheduled to be delivered to the EPA for review on June 11, 2012.

·         Cherry Street Elevated Storage Tank Rehabilitation

This project will involve rehabilitation of the 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank located on Cherry Street.  The project scope will include removal / reapplication of interior and exterior coating systems, structural repairs, OSHA compliancy requirements, and installation of a mixing system.  Black & Veatch Corporation is preparing a proposal for completing the necessary engineering work associated with this project.  The work is expected to be performed during calendar year 2012.

·         Clay Street Water Line Improvements

The project involves replacement of approximately 810 feet of 2-inch unlined cast iron pipe that serves 15 residential customers along Clay Street.  Staff has finalized design for this project.  The project cost estimate is $275,000 (contractor).  Staff has initiated construction of the project with sawing of the street and installation of the tapping sleeve and valve at Clay Street and Melbourne Street.  Staff will continue installation of the water line during the month of January as weather permits.

·         Manor Drive Water System Improvements

The project involves replacement of approximately 6,000 linear feet of 6-inch unlined cast iron pipe that serves 52 residential customers in the Manor Drive area.  This project is currently unfunded and an engineer has not been selected to design the improvements.  The preliminary project cost is $675,000.  The project will address the low pressure/regulatory issues and will improve customer service to defined areas.  Staff will proceed with this project when funds become available.

·         Strodes Creek WWTP Window and Door Replacements

This project involves replacement of the windows and doors at the Administration Building and the Solids Processing Facility.  Age and deterioration of the existing windows and doors necessitate the need for replacement.  The budgeted amount for this work is $175,000.  The Commission approved the bid from E.C. Matthews Company, Lexington, Kentucky in the amount of $187,060 at their regular meeting on July 7, 2011.  The contractor has been issued the Notice to Proceed and has ordered the replacement structures.  The lead time for the material is approximately three (3) months.  Shop drawings for the project have been reviewed and approved.  The Contractor is expected to begin the replacement in January/February 2012 and complete by March/April 2012.

·         Hud Road Pump Station Upgrades

The project involves installation of two new pumps and cleaning (stripping) of the force main for the Hud Road Pump Station.  The objective of the project was to increase the efficiency of this pump station and eliminate the SSO associated with this location.  The force main strip was completed on November 1st and 2nd.  New pumps were installed on November 10th and 11th.  An additional force main strip was performed on December 13, 2011.  Staff has performed draw-down tests on the pump station that showed results of an increased pumping capacity from 84 gpm to 255 gpm with both pumps running.  Cost to date is $16,953.00. WMU has not experienced an SSO at this location since performing the above-mentioned work.

·         Water Treatment Plant Filter Media Cleaning

      The project involves cleaning of the filter media at each of the five (5) filters at the Water Treatment Plant and replacement of the surface wash arm piping.  The total cost for the filter media rehabilitation is $32,754.00.  WMU's 2011-2012 Capital Budget allocated for this work to be completed.  The Commission approved an agreement with S⁴ Water Sales and Service at their regular meeting on August 18, 2011.  S⁴ completed cleaning of the filters prior to the Christmas holiday.  Replacement of the surface wash arms and placement of additional filter media will begin the January 16, 2012.  The work has gone well and is expected to be completed by the end of January or beginning of February 2012.

CAPITAL – Completed, Warranty Phase, or on hold

A Summary status is listed below.

·         Sunset Heights Water System Improvements

The project involved the design and construction for replacement of approximately 3,750 feet of 6” water line and appurtenances currently serving the Sunset Heights and Fitch Avenue area.  CDP Engineers, Inc., 3250 Blazer Parkway, Lexington, KY 40509, is the Engineer of Record.   Conn-Hurst has completed all pipeline work and reconnected the 53 water services associated with this project.  The contractor has completed all pavement work associated with the project.  WMU's landscape contractor has completed site restoration work.  The project was accepted for perpetual maintenance and ownership at the August 18, 2011 regular meeting.

·         Water Treatment Plant Roof Renovations

The project involved replacement of the shingled roofs and any deteriorated roof decking on the Water Treatment Main Buildings (2) and the Chemical Intake Building near the Reservoir.  The budgeted amount for this work was $59,000.  The Commission approved the bid from Express Roofing, Winchester, Kentucky in the amount of $34,000 at their regular meeting on July 7, 2011.  The work was completed the week of July 25, 2011.  The warranty period begins with issuance of final payment.

·         Old Boonesboro Road Water Line Extension (New WWTP)

The project involved installation of 2,450 feet of 12-inch water line along Old Boonesboro Road and a road bore under KY 627 to serve the new LHC WWTP site.  DMH Construction was awarded the contract in the amount of $297,989.20.  The contractor has completed installation of the waterline and appurtenances including the three road bores for the project.    Pavement restoration is complete and a punch list has been performed.  The project was accepted at the May 19, 2011 Commission meeting.  The warranty period begins with the date of acceptance.

·         College St / Maple St / Boone Ave / Grid Connections Water MRP

The project involves replacement of 1,176 feet of waterline on Boone Avenue and 3,130 feet of water system grid connection in the Colby Road / McClure Road corridors.  The project scope has been modified to include as a bid alternate the replacement of a 12-inch waterline under Lexington Road (US 60) at Winchester Commercial.  The bid alternate will require the construction of approximately 820 feet of 12- and 8-inch water line.  The grid connections will strengthen the reliability of the water system in these areas.  The project is in the design phase.  BEC is the Engineer of Record.  The project is on hold due to priorities for other projects and potential funding issues. 

·         Hancock Creek Interceptor Improvements

The project includes design and construction of watershed interceptor improvements.  The improvements will address needs associated with the elimination of the package wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) now serving the corporate offices of East Kentucky Power and the package WWTP serving Rockwell Village and the industries located on Gawthrop Drive adjacent to Rockwell Village.  Elimination of these package WWTPs has been mandated by the Energy and Environment Cabinet (formerly known as Environmental and Public Protection).  The improvements will enable additional growth and development in this watershed and will enable sanitary sewer service to existing developments (Westchester Estates and Woodford Estates) now served by onsite septic systems.  There is currently no effort to move this project to construction.  The project will involve multiple Privilege Fee agreements.  Counsel, the Commission, and staff are reviewing Privilege Fee policies as they relate to implementation of the Privilege Fee ordinance.

·         Facilities Plan Update

Palmer Engineering Company (PEC) has evaluated the collection system and treatment alternatives for the Strodes Creek, Lower Howards Creek, Hoods Creek, Hancock Creek and Four Mile Creek watersheds and sub-watersheds.  The Facilities Plan, a required element of the Consent Decree, was submitted to the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) for approval.  A public informational meeting was held at the City Commission Meeting on August 18, 2009.  Members of the Engineering Team met with KDOW Staff on September 11, 2009 to discuss comments and finalization of the plan.  PEC finalized comments from KDOW and resubmitted the plan in November.  A presentation was given to the Clark County Fiscal Court on October 14, 2009.  The Fiscal Court approved the planning boundaries on December 16, 2009 and the City Commission approved the planning boundaries on December 15, 2009 as set forth in the Facilities Plan developed by WMU.  KDOW approval letter for the Facilities Plan was received on August 11, 2010. 

·         Water Supply Alternatives

Hazen and Sawyer Engineers have evaluated treatment alternatives, site selection, and water transmission requirements for a new water treatment plant.  A presentation of the Water System Planning Study was given to the WMUC on December 3, 2009 and was presented by John Steinmetz with Hazen and Sawyer.  Mr. Steinmetz presented to the City Commission on January 5, 2010.  Current plans call for preliminary grade work and plant layout to be completed with the Lower Howards Creek WWTP Improvements and Engineering for the WTP to begin January 2013.  With construction starting on the LHC WWTP preliminary grade work is being performed.  Construction of the WTP Improvements is scheduled to begin 2014. 

Current Project Snapshot

                             Project                                   Status               Completion Date      Cost to date