HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.a. General Manager Written AnnouncementsPage 1 of 3
Item 11.a.
LICENTRAL SAN
August 17, 2023
FROM: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: ANNOUNCEMENTS -AUGUST 17, 2023
Attached are the announcements for the above meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. General Manager Written Announcements
August 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 108 of 115
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Attachment 1
Board Meeting of August 17, 2023
General Manager Written Announcements
PROJECT UPDATES
1) Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor Process Intensification Testing
Central San's existing steam, aeration/secondary process, and electrical and
instrumentation systems have been performing reliably for many years, but many of the
facilities are approaching the end of their useful life and require significant on-going
maintenance, attention, or have operational limitations. In 2018, Central San hired a
consultant to complete the Steam and Aeration Blower Systems Renovations District
Project (DP) 7349 (Steam Project), which included data collection, condition assessment,
testing, business case evaluations, and preliminary design of steam, aeration/secondary
process, and electrical and instrumentation systems. Secondary process improvements
projects, Electric Blower Improvements DP 100015 and Aeration Basins Diffuser
Replacement and Seismic Upgrades DP 100019, are currently in construction. These
projects were recommended, planned, and pre -designed as part of the Steam Project.
The overarching objectives of these projects are employee safety, reliability of operation,
meeting current and future demands, reliability of permit compliance, and reduction of
operation and maintenance cost.
As a part of the Steam Project, the consultant also developed a strategy working with a
Central San team to maximize the capacity of existing aeration basins if nutrient removal
were required in the future for recycled water projects (i.e., Water Exchange) or to meet
regulatory permit limits. The Steam Project recommended pilot testing an innovative
technology, Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR), that could intensify treatment in
existing tankage (i.e., do more in the same space). Therefore, for nutrient reduction,
rather than pouring concrete for new tanks, there is an opportunity to maximize existing
assets by repurposing the existing ultraviolet disinfection basins and reusing other various
assets.
MABR process intensification testing at pilot scale will provide critical design parameters
to estimate the amount of nitrogen that could be removed in existing tankage, while
learning what impact cyanide in existing Multiple Hearth Furnace air pollution control
scrubber water has on MABR efficiency. This will help better estimate costs of a potential
capital project to install MABR full-scale. The testing duration is expected to run from
September 2023 to March 2024, followed by an alternatives analysis to compare MABR
with the more established technology identified in the Comprehensive Wastewater Master
Plan Modified Ludzack Ettinger (MLE) Process; MLE full-scale installation would require
August 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 109 of 115
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Written Announcements
August 17, 2023
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new aeration tanks and clarifiers in the area with contaminated soil. The MABR
intensification budget is $300,000 funded from Process Optimization and Efficiency DP
100055. The breakdown of the MABR intensification budget of $300,000 is listed below:
• $50,000 - contractor to install equipment and utilities through a change order on an
existing construction contract;
• $180,000 - equipment rental from Veolia and consultant support from HDR, Inc.
through an on-call agreement;
$40,000 - updating design criteria, alternatives analysis, and peer review to be
completed by consultant(s) through existing on-call agreement(s) after pilot
completion;
• $20,000 - Central San staff time; and
• $10,000 - supplies and laboratory testing.
This item was presented to the Real Estate, Environmental and Planning Committee on
July 19, 2023. In the future, the Optimization Division will share the findings of the pilot
results with the Committee/Board.
August 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 110 of 115