July 15, 2014 City Commission Meeting

Announcements

• The next work session to discuss water and wastewater plans will be held on 📅 the 28th. A consolidated summary sheet of projects, costs, and timelines will be provided to Commissioners before this meeting.

Key Decisions & Discussion Points

Water Supply & Treatment Master Plan

Engineers presented the Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) for the water supply and treatment system, outlining necessary upgrades and their estimated costs and timelines.

• Water Supply Sufficiency: A yield study confirmed that Shawnee has sufficient water supply from West Watkins and Twin Lakes for the next 50 years, eliminating the need for expensive supplemental sources like the Atoka line.
• Taste and Odor Control:
  • Phase 1: Purchase a boat and apply algicide (e.g., copper sulfate) to West Watkins and Twin Lakes to prevent algae blooms. Estimated Cost: ~$50,000.
  • Phase 2: Install activated carbon filter media at the water plant to absorb taste and odor compounds. This project also expands filtration capacity. Estimated Cost: ~$3 million.
• Water Plant Infrastructure Upgrades:
  • New Backwash Tank: Recommended for installation around 2016-2017 to prevent water hammer and damage to pipes during filter backwash. Estimated Cost: ~$1.2 million.
  • New Clearwell (Finished Water Storage): Recommended for installation around 2018 to increase storage capacity and provide redundancy, as the current plant has only one clearwell. Estimated Cost: ~$3.5 million for a 1-million-gallon clearwell.
  • New Chemical Building: Recommended for around 2019 to replace aging, leaking tanks and address unsafe storage of incompatible chemicals. Estimated Cost: ~$4.3 million.
  • Redundant Air and Vacuum Relief Valves: Recommended for immediate installation (2015) to prevent air traps and cavitation in raw water lines. Estimated Cost: ~$150,000.
  • Low Lift Water Station at MacArthur: Identified as a future need (around 2027) to increase transmission capabilities during peak demand, but not a priority for the next five years.

Water Distribution Master Plan

Engineers presented a prioritized plan for pipe replacements and system upgrades based on factors like fire protection, water age, and undersized pipes.

• Pipe Upgrades: A prioritized list of pipes was presented for replacement or upgrade, focusing on improving fire flow, water quality, and eliminating pipes smaller than 6 inches.
• New Elevated Water Storage Tank: Proposed to be built next to the existing Edwards Tower in the southeast part of town. This is primarily for additional storage to meet DEQ's 24-hour emergency storage requirement (needing 4-4.5 million gallons, currently at 2.5 million), and also offers pressure and fire flow benefits. Estimated Cost: ~$1.16 million. Outcome: Recommended for Year 1, with separate funding.
• Valve Maintenance: Ongoing efforts by city staff have led to a 37% reduction in water main breaks in the last two years, thanks to a dedicated valve team and new equipment allowing valve replacement under pressure.
• Short Line Loops: Staff plans to address dead-end water lines by looping them into the system, which will improve water flow and reduce the need for flushing.

Financial Matters

💰 The total estimated cost for water treatment and distribution capital improvements over the next five years is approximately $20 million.

• Funding Strategy: The City Manager proposed funding these projects using existing revenues, potentially through short-term, low-interest loans, to avoid immediate water rate increases.
• Debt Reduction: Approximately $15 million in existing water debt (related to West Watkins, raw water line, and previous plant improvements) is scheduled to be paid off in the next 5-8 years, which will free up funds for future projects.
• Commissioners' Request: Commissioners requested a concise, single-page summary detailing all proposed projects, their costs, and recommended timelines for water, wastewater, and distribution systems.

Agenda Summary Table