SOUTH WINDSOR WPCA PLANNINGS 15 YEAR REHAB PROJECT

Valued at 220 million dollars and comprised of a wastewater treatment plant, 11 pump stations and 126 miles of sanitary sewers, South Windsor’s water pollution control infrastructure is the town’s single largest municipal investment. It provides efficient and hygienic recycling of wastewater and is also an important factor in continued economic development. For these reasons, the town’s Water Pollution Control Authority, a bi-partisan group of nine volunteers tasked with overseeing the system, is currently developing a Capital Improvement Plan as part of a continuous program of maintenance and upgrades. This plan will guide future action with the twin goals of ensuring a fully functional, reliable, and legally compliant sewerage system, while also keeping the costs of doing so both stable and manageable for the users. Current forecasts estimate the full implementation of the plan will require 27 million dollars over the course of 15 years. These improvements are focused on relining deteriorating pipe segments that have been identified through inspection and upgrading the pump stations.

Previously, the treatment plant, which processes an average of 2.5 million gallons of wastewater per day, was the subject of an upgrade completed in 2010. Those improvements are forecasted to sustain its operations through 2030. Subsequently, an evaluation study of the collection system was completed in 2015, which was in response to a sewer pipe collapse. This study led to major repairs and improvements to areas that needed immediate attention. More recently, consulting engineers provided an initial draft of an asset management report which prioritizes maintenance or replacement of the 11 pump stations hardware and electronic components along with estimated costs. The latest report also determines operational efficiencies to extend equipment life and decrease electrical consumption and operational costs.

The major construction of the collection system occurred between 1966-1978 and the sewer lines, ranging in diameters from 6 to 36 inches, are reaching the end of their expected useful life. Approximately 8% of the lines are visually examined annually by camera to identify critical areas in need of remedial work through relining. The preventive action of relining the pipe sections is an ongoing effort, with the most vulnerable segments receiving priority. Relining before a pipe failure, while costing approximately $200 per foot, represents roughly 20 to 25% of the cost of an emergency repair and avoids potential service interruptions and environmental impacts.

In addition to avoiding more costly repair projects, the plan seeks to place the pump stations on a planned schedule of maintenance upgrades. Over time, the pumping system has become much more technologically sophisticated. As the older control systems age, parts are often difficult or impossible to obtain, with components more expensive to repair or replace. The situation is similar to having a home computer with an outdated operating system. The equipment may continue to function, but it can’t keep up with contemporary service requirements or interact with newer programs, and the cost of repair often exceeds that of replacement.

The Authority is committed to minimizing increases to residential rates by sequencing the capital rehabilitation efforts over the next fifteen years. The larger and more costly projects which require priority action will likely incur the highest cost, with a corresponding impact on user rates in the first years of the program. Costs and rates are then projected to stabilize in subsequent years, absent any expansion of the system in support of land use and economic development activities which may require construction of additional sewer lines or pump stations.

In short, the WPCA has adopted a capital improvement plan that outlines a long-term strategy for capital renewal in a fiscally responsible manner.  By developing this plan the Authority is upholding their stewardship responsibilities of the wastewater infrastructure that continues to provide reliable service to the users, cost efficient operation and ultimately, minimizing the negative environmental impact to our shared water courses.