Benefits Specific to the Main Outfall Interceptor (MOI) Modification Request
· The project provides improvements to the existing sewer, and ensures safe and reliable delivery of Akron sewage/stormwater to the Water Pollution Control Facility for treatment. Recent studies have shown that the interceptor is in very good condition and with additional reinforcement, will have a very long useful life.
· The new design involves the placement of a steel reinforced pneumatically placed mortar cap on the Main Outfall Interceptor and will provide the same level of protection of the Main Outfall Interceptor as the originally planned project.
· The new design, while meeting the performance requirements of the originally planned project, significantly reduces, and in some instances, eliminates the following impacts.
o Eliminates the need for major, long term disruption of the Towpath trail
o Eliminates the need for acquisition of additional right of way
o Prevents the destruction of mature trees along the Towpath and the Cuyahoga River
o Eliminates the need for new retaining walls along the river
o Reduces major utility coordination and relocation
· This new design minimizes the impacts to the Cuyahoga River, existing wetlands, Summit Metro Parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
· The construction of the improved design minimizes impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.
· The improved design minimizes extended traffic detours, which maintains access to the southern gateway to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Towpath trail for residents and visitors.
· The project maximizes the use of Akron’s existing infrastructure along with reduced power consumption.
· The new design is fully supported by the Main Outfall Cap pilot project that was previously constructed and analyzed in order to optimize the current design.
· The new design saves the City $30 million by eliminating the relief interceptor sewer parallel to the Main Outfall Interceptor Sewer, and associated pump station.
Benefits Specific to the Water Pollution Control Station (WPCS) Modification Request
· The Consent Decree modification requests a change in the sequencing of projects at the WPCS, and provides expansion of the biological secondary treatment capacity to 220 million gallons per day (“MGD”) 2 years and 8 months ahead of the original schedule.
· The modification expands the existing biological secondary treatment capacity from 130 MGD to 220 MGD, whereas the original plan proposed a final biological secondary treatment capacity of 170 MGD, thus providing greater environmental protection by providing full biological secondary treatment of plant flows up to 220 MGD by modifying the existing process.
· The expansion from 170 MGD (as per the original project) to 220 MGD (as per the modification) means that the plant is capable of providing full biological secondary treatment to an additional 50 MGD per year for 2 years and 8 months sooner than the original plan.
· The re-sequencing of the project work at the WPCS eliminates over 100 MG of biological secondary treatment bypasses per year for 2 years and 8 months.
· The project maximizes the use of Akron’s existing infrastructure along with reduced chemical usage.
· The new design is fully supported by the Step Feed Phase 1 pilot project that was previously constructed and analyzed in order to optimize the current design.
Please note that the Consent Decree refers to the Water Pollution Control Station (WPCS) in place of the current name the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF).
Support Items Common to the Main Outfall Interceptor (MOI) and Water Pollution Control Station (WPCS) Consent Decree Modification Requests
· We are interested in assisting the City of Akron in meeting its water quality requirements and obligations required under the Clean Water Act.
· We support Akron’s commitment to the current Consent Decree, until the point that more cost-effective solutions are identified that provide equal or greater environmental benefit while providing local jobs and overall improved community value.
· We believe in the prioritization of needed water quality improvements and that the first priority needs to be the protection of human health.
· We believe that the MOI and WPCS modification requests demonstrate a solid approach and application of cost-effective technical solutions that also provide equal or better environmental benefits. We believe that the re-assessment of environmental and community benefits, and re-prioritization of project costs is an activity that the City is obligated to undertake, and these modifications are consistent with that obligation and commitment.
· We believe that the overall impact to the community and our environment need to be considered when evaluating Akron’s investment in its environmental future, and the MOI and WPCS modification requests have less negative impact on the community and provide greater environmental benefit sooner than the original Consent Decree alternatives.
· We believe that these two modification requests demonstrate Akron’s commitment to meeting its current obligations, while providing solutions that are less unaffordable to the community.
Please note that the Consent Decree refers to the Water Pollution Control Station (WPCS) in place of the current name the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF).