ETOWAH WATER & SEWER

AUTHORITY

GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT

February 2016

Administrative Department

February 2016

Etowah Water & Sewer Authority’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our customers, our community and environment through proper management of our water resources.

Etowah Water & Sewer Authority commits to support all of the citizens of Dawson County and economic development with water services.

Department Description: The Administrative Department interacts with local and state leaders and officials, regulatory agencies, customers, developers, engineers, accountants, attorneys, and others as required to carry out the business of the Authority as envisioned and approved by the Board of Directors. The Administrative Department also works very close with all department managers and personnel in helping to meet the daily operational and functional needs within the Authority. Each department operates throughout the year on a fixed budget prepared and submitted to the General Manager, which he reviews and amends, then presents to our Board of Directors for approval.

Update Provided By: Brooke Anderson, General Manager

Major Work Activities: • Continued working on Russell Creek Reservoir • Continued to work with Engineering and Construction on

Hwy 400/S.R. 53 Utilities Relocation Project • Continued working with the City of Dawsonville • Continued working with Dawson County • Contract Renewals

Customer Service Department

February 2016 Department Description: Customer Service Department bills and processes all payments for water and sewer customers monthly. The Department receives and responds to customer related issues daily including issuing work orders for internal and external staff to investigate issues when needed. Update Provided by: Patty Day, Customer Service Manager Water Customers added: Residential: 6 ¾ Commercial: 0 ¾ Year to Date: Residential: 15 ¾ Commercial: 1 ¾ Sewer Customers added: Residential: 0 ¾ Commercial: 0 ¾ Year to Date: Residential: 5 ¾ Commercial: 1 ¾ Active Residential Water Accounts: 4905 Active Commercial Water Accounts: 346 Vacant Residential Water Accounts: 387 Vacant Commercial Water Accounts: 20 Empty Boxes for Water Accounts: 525 Active Residential Sewer Accounts: 239 Active Commercial Sewer Accounts: 247 Vacant Residential Sewer Accounts: 163 Vacant Commercial Sewer Accounts: 8 (Riley Place, Choice Homes) Major Work Activities: Follow up on leak reports generated by flex-net system:

Calling customers, sending out necessary letters, processing meter reports. We continue to help customers set up their profile page, recurring credit card information and e-statements online.

Accomplishments: Working with billing Data Solutions continues to improve our customer service.

Monthly Water Usage billed (gallons): 27,406,539 Exported: 253,180 Imported: 206,970 EWSA Usage: 193,005 Total: 27,553,334 Monthly Sewer Usage billed (gallons): 7,435,586 Note: Graphs on the following page compare total water and sewer usage billed for 2013,

2014, and 2015 as well as the number of disconnects.

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

35,000,000

40,000,000

Water Volume

2014

2015

2016

4,000,0004,500,0005,000,0005,500,0006,000,0006,500,0007,000,0007,500,0008,000,0008,500,0009,000,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Sewer Volume

2014

2015

2016

102030405060708090

100

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Disconnects

2014

2015

2016

100200300400500600700800900

100011001200130014001500160017001800190020002100220023002400250026002700280029003000

FEB15 MAR15 APR 15 MAY 15 JUN 15 JUL 15 AUG 15 SEP 15 OCT 15 NOV 15 DEC 15 JAN 16 FEB 16

Payments

Payments made online on our website

Credit card payments made in the office

Credit card payments made thru our phone system

Payments made online thru the customers bank/lockbox

Mailed in payments

Payments made at the local banks

Financial Department

February 2016

Department Description: The Financial Department is a partner with all of the

Authority's departments in providing administrative services, financial services, and human resource services in a timely and efficient manner to the benefit of all.

Update Provided By: Rosalind Chambers, Finance Manager Human Resources: Employee topic(s): Biggest Loser Contest Employment Anniversaries: John Michael Silvers 2 years; Patty Day 14 years; Sonny

Simmons 26 years

Major Work Activities: Set up 2016 Employee Meetings; Participated in a meeting with GEFA; Finished spreadsheet for Water audit; Supplied three w9’s to customers; Cancelled prior employee’s credit card; Gathered information on scholarships and gave to Sophia to distribute; Investigated and ordered a copier for Dolly; Found a company that could do repairs to the copier at the Wastewater plant; Updated disability insurance with w2 information; Prepared census report for retirement plan; Research Windstream bills and had 2 lines disconnected; Gathered information and gave out 1099s and W2s; Gathered reports and information for auditors;

Accomplishments: Community Service: Attended board meeting and attended the membership

meeting for Foothills SHRM and processed financials; attended board meeting for Veterans and processed financials; Reviewed 1 CAFR for the GFOA Special Review Committee; Processed E Postcard for Veterans and Foothills;

Special Recognition: Thanks to Michelle Everett and Patty Day for all their

help with gathering the information needed for the auditors.

Financials: Financials will be available at a later date.

Operations Department February 2016

Department Description: The Operations Group is responsible for maintaining the water distribution and wastewater collections systems. This include 174.78 miles of water line, six water storage tanks, and four booster pump stations for the water system; and 22.58 miles of sewer line, 575 manholes, and 13 sewerage lift stations for the wastewater system. The Operations Group is on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies.

Update Provided By: Kenneth Pearson, Operations Manager

Work Orders completed during Month: Etowah-148, Townley-11

Total completed this Year: Etowah-370, Townley-41

Locates responded to this month: 395

Locates responded to this year: 859

Major Work Activities: Due to off and on rain we mainly handled routine work

orders this month including several leak repairs. Accomplishments: Tapped and installed several water meters.

Special Recognition: We would like to thank all of the Operations crew for bearing the cold days and getting the job done!

Maintenance Department February 2016

Department Description: The Maintenance Department is responsible for maintaining six water storage tanks and four booster pump stations for the water system; and 12 sewerage lift stations for the wastewater system. The department performs all repairs and maintenance at Dawson Forest Water Reclamation Facility, Hightower Water Treatment Facility. The Maintenance Department has two full time employees and one seasonal part time employee during spring and summer. In the spring and summer the department is also responsible for all landscaping needs of all of the Authority’s properties. The Maintenance Department is on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies.

Update Provided By: Dolly Pendley, Treatment Systems Manager Josh Wilkins, Maintenance Lead Technician Work Orders Completed during Month: Etowah –13 Townley – 0 Total Work Orders Completed for Year: Etowah – 24 Townley – 0 Major Work Activities:

Hightower Water Treatment Facility:

• Replaced all copper lines on filter actuators 1-4 • Replaced copper lines on loss of head gauges • Installed new switches on filters 1-2 consoles • Monthly Pm’s were performed

Dawson Forest Water Reclamation Facility: • Replaced 2 rollers on belt press • Replaced 2 roller bearings on belt press • Monthly pm’s were performed

Sewerage Lift Stations:

• Replaced pressure transducer with float switches @ Riverview lift station

• Weekly Pm’s were performed

Booster Stations and Storage Tanks: • Repaired leak @ Hwy 53 booster station • Monthly Pm’s were performed

These are the two rollers and bearings that were replaced at the Hightower water reclamation facility

Hightower Water Treatment Facility

February 2016

Department Description: The Hightower Water Treatment Facility is responsible for withdrawing, treating and providing the highest quality water service to the citizens of Dawson County. This facility has a capacity to treat 5.5 million gallons of water per day. Six Operators staff the facility 24 hours a day year ‘round. Staff conducts over one hundred tests each day to ensure we provide the highest quality drinking water to our customers.

Update Provided By: Dolly Pendley, Treatment Systems Manager Michael Silvers, Lead Operator

Major Work Activities: • Prepared and submitted all monthly reports to EPD. • Collected and analyzed 15 Distribution Bac-T Samples.

All tested negative for Total Coliform. • All Asco valves and copper tubing replaced for valves

on Filters 1-4. (Thanks to maintenance department for completion of project.)

• Contractor is finished with painting pipe gallery. New Alum containment area for Filters 1-4 constructed. Water Plant is running 24 hours to achieve efficiency on filter run times, chemical dosage effectiveness, and maximize detention time in basins.

Monthly volume of water pumped to system

(Millions of gallons)

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

Jan-15 Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr-15 May-15 Jun-15 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15

2012

2013

2014

2015

Dawson Forest Water Reclamation Facility

February 2016

Department Description: The Dawson Forest Water Reclamation Facility (DFWRF) is responsible for treating wastewater for the businesses and citizens of Dawson County. The award winning facility is capable of treating up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day. Our employees have a thorough knowledge of all federal, state, and local wastewater treatment standards, regulations, and policies. Their technical skills extend from the ability to operate and maintain the wide variety of equipment used to performing standard chemical tests. The reclamation facility has three full time employees who oversee all plant operations, monitor the treatment processes, and make adjustments as needed to consistently produce high quality reclaimed water. The DFWRF won the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Plant of the Year Award in 2009; the Gold Award for Wastewater Treatment in 2009, 2010, and 2011, as well as the 2012 and 2013 Platinum Award for Wastewater Treatment.

Update Provided By: Dolly Pendley, Treatment Systems Manager

Richard Ray, Lead Operator

Major Work Activities: • Prepared and submitted monthly reports to EPD. • Did all daily and monthly lab tests. • Pressed sludge from Polo Fields plant. • Cleaned all buildings weekly. • Had hoist repaired at influent lift station. • Collected samples from Impulse Manufacturing. • Repaired broken drain valve on #4 spray field. • Repaired broken riser on #3 spray field. • Pressure washed press room. • Replaced both drive rollers and 4 bearings on belt press.

Press Building

Millions of Gallons

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2013

2014

2015

2016

Average Monthly Flows

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2013

2014

2015

2016

Rainfall in Inches

Resource Department

February 2016 Department Description: The Resource Department’s main purpose is to direct and oversee the long term planning of water and wastewater resources. Plans, directs, and organizes activities relating to water and wastewater resources. In the pre-construction stage of projects, manages the day to day operational aspects of a project and scope. Plans, develops, and coordinates public relations mediums ensuring timely distribution of public information to the public, media, and other government agencies.

Update Provided By: Doris Cook, Resource Manager

Major Work Activities for February 2016:

• Worked with Authority staff on inquiries for water service/main extensions, answered phones, ordered meters, prepared articles, website updates and other tasks as needed.

• Continued to work on the Customer Connect Portal and issues with Logic program through Kendall and Sensus.

• Worked with water plant staff on annual WQR/CCR report.

• Initiated work to create Backflow and Industrial Pre-treatment Program.

• Printed Leak Detection Brochures, Fix a Leak Tips and restocked materials in lobby

• Project Management on a daily/weekly basis: o Russell Creek Reservoir Project – see attached o Leak Detection & Notification Program-daily/weekly

tasks. o 544 accounts on leak reports, 16 confirmed by

phone, 27 notices sent, 60 have not responded/not repaired, 38 on recheck list

Accomplishments: Encouraged water and wastewater to apply for TopOp, Plant

of Year and the Gold Awards, completed required annual water audit.

Community Service: Reviewed award applications for the GAWP/GWWC’s Fox

McCarthy Award, Helped with Soup Day for Etowah employees and Fix a Leak Week in March.

Etowah River 7Q10 Flow: Current flow: 584 cfs (cubic feet per second) on 2/26/2016 Minimum/low flow in past 12 years occurred in 2011= 146 cfs Maximum flow in past 12 years occurred in 2013 = 770 cfs Lake Lanier: 1,071.58 feet – summer pool is 1071, flood is 1085 – 2/26/16

Russell Creek Reservoir

Project Description: This project is in the post-filing stages of permitting for the 401 Permit with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the 404 Permit with the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). A mitigation plan has been submitted. Proposed reservoir is 138 acres of pool and 90 acres in buffer. Engineers have estimated the reservoir to hold 14.7 million gallons based on yield analysis modeling. Engineer: Etowah Water & Sewer Authority (EWSA) and GSP, Inc.

are assisting with the post-filing. Original Contract Amounts: $ 401,440.00 (For pre and post filing tasks) Change-orders: $ 80,100.00 (For additional funding – pre & post tasks) $ 71,130.00 (For additional State & Federal post filing tasks) $ 21,770.00 (Cumulative Impacts Study) approved May 14, 2013 $ 24,720.00 (Yield Analysis – Task Order # 2) $ 20,000.00 (3rd round of modeling/Cumulative Impacts Study) $ 52, 100.00 (Post filing tasks – final case document, mitigation) Additional Tasks: $ 4,154,200.00 (Mitigation) $ 5,119,860.00 (Land acquisition and easements) $ 10,000,000.00 GEFA Funding for design and construction Duration of Services: Project began in 2003, applied for 404 permit in January

2008, design and construction is expected to begin within next two to ten years.

Project Complete: TBD (post-filing of State & Federal permits – 2016) Project Manager: Doris Cook, EWSA

Project Status: This post permitting phase of the project is almost complete. Waiting on the USACE 404 permit! Communications, via emails and phone calls, with the COE continue this month. Continued to work on additional pieces of land acquisition. Created a timeline of facts.

Community Concerns: This project is required to meet the future water supply needs for Dawson County in 2063. The community, including State and Federal Agencies and most environmental groups are in consensus and support this project. No negative concerns. It is being considered as a “role model” for reservoir projects.

Engineering & Construction Department

February 2016

Department Description: The Engineering and Construction Department oversees all engineering and construction activities for Etowah Water and Sewer Authority. We, as a dedicated team, assure that water and sanitary sewer extensions are designed and constructed according to our Water Main and Sanitary Sewer Standard Specifications. We work with developers, design engineers, and utility contractors on public and private community development projects during project conception, design, plan review, construction, inspections, and final acceptance. We design projects in-house, work with consulting engineers, and other departments on capital improvement projects from project conception to final completion and acceptance.

Update Provided By: John Cronan, Systems Coordinator Major Work Activities:

• Managing Water Storage Tanks Maintenance Program: Coordinating Contractor and EWSA Departments to maintain 2016 work schedule.

• SR 400 @ 53 Improvements: Sewer main installation is complete. Continuing to install service laterals.

Gravity Sewer Line Installation Up To Little Caesar’s

Private Development Update General Information:

• Plans in Review – 0 • Current Permitted Developments - 6 • Permitted Developments in 2016 - 1 • Developments Completed and Accepted in 2016 - 0

Plans in Review

No major plans in review for February 2016.

Utility Construction

1) Club House Site

The project will consist of two tennis courts, a pool and pool house. The water installation will include a hydrant setting along with a ¾” water meter and backflow prevention device. The sewer installation will be a tap only. Water: The water work consists of installing one new fire hydrant and one 3/4” water

meter and backflow prevention device. Sewer: The sewer work will consist of a single sewer tap for the pool house at the sewer

tap provided at the back of the lot. Status as of February 29, 2016: Construction on the club house continues.

2) Dawson Crossroads Development

The development is a grocery store anchored retail center with approximately 90,000 sq. ft. of planned retail space and 5 outparcels for future development. Water: The water line installation will consist of approximately 2,400 lf of new 12 inch

DIP water main along with hydrants, valves, meters, fire protection, etc. Sewer: The sewer line installation will consist of approximately 1,700 lf of new 8 inch

and 12 inch PVC and DIP gravity sewer mains along with manholes, service laterals, etc. There will also be an installation of approximately 1,100 lf of 12 inch DIP force main to relocate the existing force main along Dawson Forest Road.

Status as of February 29, 2016: Site grading and preparation continues. Building construction has started.

3) Identico – Lot 10, HN Grogan Business Park

Identico is approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of industrial/manufacturing space with office space. They will be producing adhesvie packaging labels. Water: The water installation will consist of installing a 6” fire vault with a

backflow device for the internal fire sprinkler system. A ¾” water meter will be installed in the existing meter box on the lot.

Sewer: The sewer installation will consist of installing a test manhole outside the

building and tying the service line into the existing clean out on the lot. Status as of February 29, 2016: Building construction is ongoing.

4) Culver’s

Culver’s is a fast food restaurant that serves Wisconsin style burgers and custard. They will have 92 dining seats. Water: The water installation consists of a 1” water meter setting only. Sewer: The sewer installation will consist of a grease trap installation and tying into the

existing manhole on the corner of the lot. Status as of February 29, 2016: The project is close to completion.

5) Dawson Marketplace

Water: The water installation will consist of approximately 5,600’ of 8” DIP and 6,000’ of 12” DIP, 18 hydrants and all other water system appurtenances. Sewer: The sanitary sewer installation will consist of 4,200’ of 10” DIP and 3,100’ of 12” DIP gravity line, manholes and other system requirements. Status as of February 29, 2016: Water and sewer line installation has started. Site grading

continues.

SR 400 @ SR 53 Utilities Relocation

Project Description: The continuous flow intersection improvements that DOT will

be building at Hwy. 400 and 53 will require EWSA to relocate the 8” PVC and DIP water main along Hwy. 53 starting at Lumpkin Campground Road and terminating on the east side of Hughes Court. The new water main installation will consist of approximately 3180 LF of 16-inch DIP, 1560 LF of 12-inch DIP, 2600 LF of 8-inch DIP and 100 LF of 6-inch DIP. This project will also allow us to take three lift stations and several hundred feet of PVC force main out of service by installing new gravity sewer mains in the southeast quadrant of Hwy. 400 and 53. The gravity sewer installation will consist of approximately 1370 LF of 8-inch PVC and 270 LF of 8-inch DIP. This project will include all necessary accessories, service relocates and changeovers, traffic control and erosion and sedimentation control as required.

Original Contract Amount: $1,282,265.00 Change Orders: Adjusted Contract Amount: Contract Duration: 183 days Notice to Proceed: March 23, 2015 Contracted Completion: November 23, 2016 Contractor: Townley Construction Company, Inc. Engineer: Etowah Water & Sewer Authority Project Manager: John Cronan Project Status: The sewer main construction is complete. Construction

continues on installing the sewer service laterals to Little Caesar’s and the Dawson 400 Shopping Center.

Community Concerns: This project will allow EWSA to comply with DOT’s

requirements to relocate utilities in conflict with highway construction and improvements. The increased water main size and improved material will be beneficial to the distribution system and customers in this area. The new gravity sewer mains will be beneficial to the collection system by allowing us to take three aging lift stations and force mains out of service.

Sewer Service Lateral to Little Caesar’s

February 2016Project Status: This post permitting phase of the project is almost complete.