HomeMy WebLinkAbout18. Authorize execution of agency acceptance letter for plant-specific findings for the Nutrient Reduction Report Page 1 of 17
Item 18.
CENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
' POSITION PAPER
MEETING DATE: MAY 3, 2018
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE
THE AGENCYACCEPTANCE LETTER FOR PLANT-SPECIFIC FINDINGS
FOR THE NUTRIENT REDUCTION REPORT
SUBMITTED BY: INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
NITIN GOEL, ASSOCIATE ENGINEER ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES-
DAN FROST, SENIOR ENGINEER PDS-PLANNI NG AND APPLI ED RESEARCH
REVIEWED BY: DANEA GEMMELL, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION
MANAGER
LORI SCHECTEL, ENVIRONMENTAL & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
DIVISION MANAGER
JEAN-MARC PETIT, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL
SERVICES
ANN K. SASAKI, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
ISSUE
Board authorization is requested for the General Manager to execute the proposed agency acceptance
letter for plant-specific findings for the Nutrient Reduction Report.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issued Order No. R2-
2014-0014, Waste Discharge Requirements for Nutrients From Municipal Wastewater Discharges to San
Francisco Bay (referred to as the SF Bay Nutrients Watershed Permit). Sections VI.C.1 and 2 of the SF
Bay Nutrients Watershed Permit require that the major Dischargers (including Central San) shall,
May 3, 2018 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 171 of 225
Page 2 of 17
individually or in collaboration with other Dischargers, evaluate options and costs for nutrient discharge
reduction by optimization of current treatment work and conduct an evaluation to identify options and costs
for potential treatment upgrades for nutrient removal. These provisions of the SF Bay Nutrients Watershed
Permit require that the final reports be submitted by July 1, 2018.
Over the last few years, Central San has worked with other publicly-owned treatment works (POTW)
collaboratively under the joint powers agency, Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA), and the
HDR/Brown & Caldwell consulting team hired by BACWA to submit one coordinated study to meet the
requirements of Sections VI.C.1 and 2 of the SF Bay Nutrients Watershed Permit. This coordinated study
is referred to as the Nutrient Reduction Report.
The Nutrient Reduction Report includes individual plant reports and analyses for each of the 37 POTWs
that discharge to the San Francisco Bay. The Nutrient Reduction Report and the individual plant
reports were prepared using an approach and underlying assumptions that were accepted by the RWQCB
as documented in a 2015 Scoping and Evaluation Plan. The findings and recommendations for Central
San's individual plant report are summarized in the Executive Summary included as Attachment 1.
Each BACWA agency has been requested by the RWQCB to sign a letter accepting the plant-specific
findings for the Nutrient Reduction Report. This letter would be included with the Individual Plant Report to
be submitted to the RWQCB. Attachment 2 includes the proposed letter that Central San would submit.
Central San's current 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CI P) includes a future project to complete
optimization of the existing treatment plant to reduce nutrient loads if optimizations for nutrient load
reduction (i.e. BACWA Level 1 referred to in the reports) are required by the RWQCB within the next 10
years. The current 10-Year Cl P does not include funding projects to meet potential future nutrient limits
(i.e. BACWA Levels 2 and 3 referred to in the reports). If nutrient limits are required in the future, Central
San's CI P will be updated to include the necessary projects.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
None.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
None directly by this action.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
At the April 25, 2018 Real Estate & Environmental Planning Committee meeting, the Committee
recommended approving this item.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Authorize the General Manager or his designee to execute the proposed agency acceptance letter for
plant-specific findings for the Nutrient Reduction Report.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL TWO: Strive to Meet Regulatory Requirements
Strategy 1 - Strive to Achieve 100% Permit Compliance in Air, Water, Land and Other Regulations
ATTACHMENTS:
May 3, 2018 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 172 of 225
Page 3 of 17
1. Individual Plant Report- Central San Exec Summary
2. Nutrients Watershed Permit- Proposed Central San Acceptance Letter
3. Nutrient Reduction Report Overview Presentation
May 3, 2018 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 173 of 225
B A C W A 1=51
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BAY AREA
CLEAN WATER
A G E N C I E 5 Brown-Caldwell
Executive Summary
The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) owns and operates the Central San
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Martinez, CA and discharges treated effluent to
Suisun Bay. The plant has an average dry weather flow (ADWF) permitted capacity of 53.8 million
gallons per day (mgd).
A summary of the flows and loads for the current conditions, optimization, sidestream and upgrade
strategies are presented in Table ES-1. Capital costs, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and
unit costs (e.g., $/gpd)were developed for each strategy.
Table ES-1. Summary of Costs and Load Reductions
Parameter' Current Opt. Opt. 0 Leve12 Leve12 Leve13 . -
Dry Dry Year Dry Year Year
Basis of Design
Flow for mgd -- -- 35.5 40.7 53.8 61.6 53.8 61.6
Strategies
Flow to Bay2 mgd 36.3 36.3 36.3 36.3 45.5 45.5 45.5 45.5
Nutrients to Bay(Average)2
Ammonia Ib N/d 7,670 7,670 5,650 5,650 820 770 820 770
TN Ib N/d 9,050 9,050 8,790 8,790 4,870 4,560 3,680 2,210
TP Ib P/d 260 260 2807 280' 330 330 240 110
COStS4,5
Capital $Mil -- -- 7.9 7.9 238 264 391 436
0&M PV $Mil 32.0 32.0 88 96 191 342
Total PV $Mil 40.0 40.0 326 360 582 777
Unit CostS6
Capital $/gpd 0.2 0.2 4.4 4.3 7.3 7.1
Total PV $/gpd 1.1 1.0 6.1 5.8 10.8 12.6
1. mgd=million gallons per day;TN=Total Nitrogen;TP=Total Phosphorus;0&M=Operations and Maintenance;PV=Present Value.
2. The current flows and loads to the Bay are the average annual 2015 BACWA Nutrient Reduction Study Group Annual Report(data from 7/2012-
6/2015).The reported flows and loads for optimization,upgrades,and sidestream represent average projected loads discharged to the Bay for
the period of analysis(10-yr for optimization and 30-yr for upgrades and sidestream).
3. Dry Season=facilities sized for May 1 through September 30 loads but operate year round;year round=facilities sized for year round loads and
operated year round.The sidestream facilities are sized for a year round loads and operated year round.
4. Costs are referenced to the ENR SF CCI for November 2017 at 12,015.Costs do not include changes in solids handling or changes in energy
requirements in other unit processes.Level 3 costs are inclusive of facilities needed to meet Level 2.
5. PV is calculated based on a 2 percent discount rate for 10 years(optimization)and 30 years(sidestream and upgrades).
6. The unit load reduction cost was calculated by dividing the capital or total present value by the basis of design flow.
7. If effluent phosphorus loads are not a major concern at the time of optimization,CEPT may not be required and the effluent TP load would be
higher than shown in this table.(i.e.effluent TP loads will increase if Optimization Strategy 3 only is implemented).
Bay Area Clean Water Agencies I Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Final Report 11
May 3, 2018 RegularBoardMeeting Agenda Packet- Page 174 of 225
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FN BAY AREA
CLEAN WATER
Brown—Caldwell A G E N C I E S
The recommendations included in this report should be considered preliminary and are subject to
change. Central San may continue to evaluate potential future nutrient removal alternatives and may
further refine the costs and recommendations of this report or may include additional and/or different
recommendations than this report. Other potential options being considered by Central San include
supporting recycled water opportunities to divert nutrient loads from Suisun Bay, applied research
and piloting of nutrient removal technologies that may provide similar or better levels of treatment at
lower present value costs, and other methods of nitrification and nutrient removal that may offer a
more feasible implementation.
Through secondary process optimization (i.e. implementation of an anaerobic selector) and recycled
water use, Central San is already achieving around 85% total phosphorus load reduction of
approximately 19,200 Ib P/year(1,600 Ib P/day), around 32% total nitrogen load reduction of
approximately 53,000 Ib N/year(4,400 Ib N/day), and around 9% ammonia load reduction of
approximately 9,600 Ib Ammonia as N/year(-800 Ib Ammonia as N/day) based on 2011-2014
average annual influent and effluent TP, TKN, and Ammonia data.
The current optimization strategies require a significant investment ($40M Total PV)to achieve
approximately 25% additional ammonia load reduction and less than 3% additional TN load
reduction. Table ES-1 assumes that upon further evaluation the optimization strategies will be
feasible; however, the recommended strategies require further investigation before determining
whether or not they are feasible.
The recommended optimization strategy to reduce nutrient loads in the plant effluent includes:
1. Seasonal nitrification and partial denitrification during the dry season. Nitrification would be
achieved by increasing the solids retention time (SRT) during the dry season in the activated
sludge process. This would require additional blower capacity, alkalinity chemical feed facilities
(if required). Partial denitrification would occur in the existing anaerobic selector. Denitrification
would likely be limited by return activated sludge (RAS) pumping and a lower than desired
hydraulic residence time (HRT) in the anaerobic selector. During the dry season, the existing
anaerobic selector will be converted to an anoxic selector and the growth of phosphorus
accumulating organisms (PAOs) and corresponding phosphorus removal will be inhibited (i.e.
effluent phosphorus loads will increase during the dry season). During dry season startup (for
possibly a couple weeks), possible foaming issues and nitrite lock are likely to occur, which may
create operational challenges related to effluent quality and recycled water disinfectant
demands. Additional recycled water facilities may be required (not currently included in the
costs) such as an expansion to the existing sodium hypochlorite facilities and/or an ammonia
injection facility. It is recommended that this strategy be further modeled and evaluated to
determine its feasibility.
2. If phosphorus removal is of concern, coagulant chemical feed facilities can be included for
seasonal phosphorus removal in the primary sedimentation tanks. While the plant already
achieves the Level 2 phosphorus concentration, 1 mg P/L, the ability to remove phosphorus in
the activated sludge process would go away during the dry season if seasonal nitrification and
partial denitrification is implemented. This strategy is predicated on implementation of the
previously described optimization strategy (seasonal nitrification and partial denitrification) and is
not recommended as a standalone strategy. Bench and pilot testing is recommended to confirm
feasibility prior to implementation.
Central San is not considered a candidate for sidestream treatment because the plant incinerates
solids, which does not produce a return sidestream laden with nutrients.
2 1 Final Report Bay Area Clean Water Agencies I Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
May 3, 2018 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 175 of 225
B A C W A 1=51
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BAY AREA
CLEAN WATER
A G E N C I E S Brown—Caldwell
The upgrade strategies to achieve Levels 2 and 3 include:
1. Level 2 (15 mg TN-N/L and 1 mg TP-P/L):
a. Additional primary sedimentation tanks to maintain solids and organics capture in the primary
sedimentation tanks.
b. Modifying the aeration basins to an Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process.
This would also require additional basins, additional feed pumping capacity, additional
blower capacity, alkalinity chemical feed facilities (if required), mixed liquor return
pumping/piping, additional RAS pumping capacity, and air piping modifications.
c. Relocation of contaminated soils is required to construct the additional IFAS basins required.
2. Level 3 (6 mg TN-N/L and 0.3 mg TP-P/L):
a. Same as Level 2, plus
b. Add a new denitrifying filter complex to reduce both total nitrogen and total phosphorus
loads. This would require a feed pumping station.
c. External carbon source chemical feed facilities located at the denitrifying filters to assist with
further reducing total nitrogen levels.
d. Metal salt and polymer chemical feed facilities located at the denitrifying filters to assist with
further reducing total phosphorus levels.
Capital costs, O&M costs and present value costs were determined for optimization, sidestream
treatment, Level 2 upgrades and Level 3 upgrades. These costs do not account for changes in solids
handling requirements, resulting energy impacts in other unit processes, and any costs that may be
incurred due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, which may be significant and should be
considered when further evaluating the recommendations.
As shown in Table ES-1, the costs generally increase from optimization to Level 2 and Level 3
upgrades. The costs generally increase for both capital and O&M from the dry season (operated
year round)to year round. Overall the total present value costs range from $40 Mil for dry season
optimization up to $777 Mil for Level 3 year-round upgrades. In addition to costs, the relative
increase in greenhouse (GHG) emissions was also evaluated. With the exception of chemicals for
optimization, the GHG emissions showed an increase as the level of treatment and energy demands
increase. The increase in GHG emissions are associated with the production and hauling of
chemicals, fugitive biogenic emissions, and emissions due to offsite energy generation and increase
import of grid electricity. These increases in GHG emissions are not considered on-site
anthropogenic emissions and as such, are not expected to impact Central San's ability to stay below
the California Air Resources Board Cap and Trade Threshold.
Bay Area Clean Water Agencies I Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Final Report 13
May 3, 2018 RegularBoardMeeting Agenda Packet- Page 176 of 225
Page 7 of 17
Z-- VI CENTRAL SAN
CONTRACENTRAL ■STA SANITARY DISTRICT 5019 IMHOFF PLACE,
May 2018 PHONE: (925)228-9500
DRAFTFAX. (925)228-4624
www.central.van.org
ROGER S.BAILEY
Mr. Bruce Wolfe GeneratManager
KENTON L.ALM
Executive Officer counsetforthe District
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (510)808-2000
KATIE YOUNG
RE: ACCEPTANCE OF PLANT-SPECIFIC FINDINGS FOR Secretary of the District
THE NUTRIENT REDUCTION REPORT
Dear Mr. Wolfe,
On behalf of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San), I have reviewed the
individual plant report prepared for Central San that is included as an appendix to the Potential
Nutrient Reduction by Treatment Optimization, Sidestream Treatment, Treatment Upgrades,
and Other Means Report (Nutrient Reduction Report). The plant report was prepared by the
HDR/B&C consulting team (Consultants) under a contract with the Bay Area Clean Water
Agencies (BACWA). The Central San report was prepared after the Consultants visited the
plant site, interacted with plant staff, prepared a draft report for our staff's review and
responded to staff's comments. A representative group of BACWA members (i.e. Contract
Management Group) also provided direction to the Consultants in preparing the individual plant
reports and the overall summary for the Nutrient Reduction Report. This report represents my
best understanding of our facility in 2017.
With this level of involvement and oversite of our staff who worked with the Consultant in
preparing the report for Central San, I agree that the recommended approach and cost
estimates for reducing nutrients at our facility are reasonable with respect to the context of the
overall report. Furthermore, in accordance with the Watershed Permit requirement for report
certification, I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were
prepared under direction or supervision of District staff in accordance with a system designed
to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted.
Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons
directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of
my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant
penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for
knowing violations.
Thank you,
Ann K. Sasaki
Deputy General Manager
May 3, 2018 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 177 of 225
_ fpr
r �
NUTRIENTS WATERSHED PERMIT -
........--------
NUTRIENT REDUCTION REPORT
s �
Jean-Marc Petit
Director of Engineering & Technical Services
Dan Frost
.� . Senior Engineer
- - s
Board Meeting
May 3, 2018
May 3, 20 8Meeting - _
BACKGROUND
San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issued
the SF Bay Nutrients Watershed Permit on April 9, 2014 (effective July 1 ,
2014).
Special Provision of the SF Bay Nutrients Watershed Permit requires that
Dischargers shall, individually or in collaboration with other Dischargers,
evaluate options and costs for nutrient reduction to the Bay.
The 37 bay-discharging treatment plants are working collectively under
the joint powers agency, Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA), to
submit a coordinated study (referred to as the Nutrient Reduction
Report).
The Nutrient Reduction Report includes individual plant reports that
identify plant-specific nutrient reduction strategies and associated costs.
THERE IS SOME UNCERTAINTY IN
NUTRIENT REGULATIONS
Possible Limits (mg/L) Possible Timing .-!
Sta rt of End of
Total Total Watershed Watershed
Ammonia Nitrogen Phosphorus Permit Permit
g p
Cycle Cycle
Continued Monitoring, Increased
Studies Funding of Science Program & 2019 2024
Studies, & Encourage Early Actions
Level 1 Optimization 2024? 2029?
Level 2 2 15 1 2029? 2034?
Level 3 2 6 0.3 2034? 2039?
BAY-WIDE NUTRIENT REDUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
WOULD COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
DRAFT: Total N Discharge Load Reduction and Costs under
Various Scenarios (Dry Season Permit)
$14,000 70,000
Z
$12,000 ------------------------------------------------D-RAFT--- 60,000 a'
_ _
— o
M $10,000 - -- 50,000
------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------- -
CU
a $8,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 40,000
0
> $0,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 30,000
CU
caEn
$4,000 ----------------------------------------------------- --- ---------- --- 20,000
$2,000 ------------------------------------------ ----------- ---------- 10,000 az
$D
0
Optimization Sidestream Level Level
■Total PV Cost 0 Load Reduction
• Optimization = 10-yr planning horizon
• Sidestream and Upgrades (Level 2 and 3) = 30-yr planning horizon using Permitted Capacity
N = Nitrogen TN = Total Nitrogen `
SIGNIFICANT COSTS TO ACHIEVE NUTRIENT
REMOVAL AT CENTRAL SAN
BACWA Level Capital Cost,, O&M Cost, Present Value,,
$ Million $ Million $ Million
Level 1 $40 over
(dry season) $8 $32 10 years
Level 2 $264 $96 $360 over
(year-round) 30 years
Level 3 $778 over
(year-round) $436 $342 30 years
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - PLANT=SPECIFir
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Optimization Strategy
• Seasonal nitrification and denitrification with ammonia injection, alkalinity
addition, and increased aeration with new blowers.
• UpgradUb LU Meet Luvell ? (2 mg/L Ammonia, 15 mg/L TN, 1 mg/L 1P)
Modify aeration basins for Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS)
process, construct additional basins, new feed/return sludge pumps, new
blowers, and possibly chemical feed.
• Additional primary sedimentation tanks with associated grit removal.
• Upgrades to Meet Level 3 (2 mg/L Ammonia, 6 mg/L rN, 0.3 mg/L rP)
• Same as Level 2.
Plus, new denitrifying filters for TN and TP removal, external carbon
source for additional TN removal and metal salt and polymer feed for
additional TP removal.
• Continue to Evaluate, Pilot. & Explore Nutrient Reduction Alternatives
TN = Total Nitrogen TP = Total Phosphorus _ I
COORDINATION WITH CENTRAL SAN'S
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Central San's current 10-Year CIP includes a placeholder
capital project for Nutrient Removal Optimizations
(i .e. BACWA Level 1 ), if required .
Nutrient Removal project (i .e. BACWA Levels 2 and 3) are
not included in the CIP but have been identified as possible
future projects.
The 10-Year CIP will need to be updated as Central San
continues to track nutrient removal regulations and updates
possible nutrient removal strategies.
IRA nf 99r:; 1
SEE ATTACHMENT 2 FOR PROPOSED
AGENCY ACCEPTANCE LETTER
CENTRAL SAN
CENTRA�CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT 5019 IMHOFF PLACE,MARTINEZ.CA 9450-4392
May 2018 PHONE(425)92 8-95[X1
DRAFT FAX.'(925)22&4624
errbnLrten.or2
R�GAR5 8RIL8Y
Mr.Bruce Wolfe ��
Executive Officer
San Francisca Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board oiaaa.voo4
zany rormra
RE:ACCEPTANCE OF PLANT-SPECIFIC FINDINGS FOR
THE NUTRIENT REDUCTION REPORT
Dear Mc Wol
On behalf of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District(Central San),I have reviewed the
individual plant report prepared for Central San that is included as an appendix to the Potential
Nutrient Reduction by Treatment Optimization,Sidestream Treatment,Treatment Upgrades,
and Other Means Report(Nutrient Reduction Report),The plant report was prepared by the
HDR/B&C consulting team(Consultants)under a contract with the Bay Area Clean Water
Agencies(BACWA). The Central San report was prepared after the Consultarrtsvisited the
plant site,interacted with plant staff,prepared a draft report for our staff's review and
responded to staffs comments. A representative group of BACWA members(i.e.Contract
Management Group)also provided direction to the Consultants in preparing the individual plant
reports and the overall summary for the Nutrient Reduction Report. This report represents my
best understanding of our facility in 2017.
With this level of involvement and oversee of our staff who worked with the Consultant in
preparing the report for Central San,I agree that the recommended approach and cost
estimates for reducing nutrients at our facility are reasonable with respect to the context of the
overall report. Furthermore,in accordance with the Watershed Permit requirement for report
certification,I oertify,under penalty of law,that this document and all attachments were
prepared under direction or supervision of District staff in accordance with a system designed
to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted.
Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons
directly responsible for gathering the information,the information submitted is,to the best of
my knowledge and belief,true,accurate,and complete.I am aware that there are slgn'rficarft
penalties for submitting false information,including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for
knowing violations.
Thank you,
Ann K.Sasaki
Deputy General Manager
RECOMMENDATION
Board of Directors' authorization is requested for
the General Manager or his designee to execute
the proposed agency acceptance letter for plant-
specific findings for the Nutrient Reduction
Report
1
QUESTIONS ?