Page 16 - TN Public Works March-April 2014 Vol. 31 No. 7
P. 16
by Ken Stewart, Mike burgett, and Ken baker
Springfield Develops WCTS Plan
Aging infrastructure. There may be works and utility director in the country. systematic approach for bringing the mu-
no business sector that understands the In Springfield, failing wastewater col- nicipality into compliance, and to position
implications of this problem better than lection system infrastructure has been the city for a more sustainable future that
those of us involved in public works and impeding the community’s economic better supports the economic and social
municipal utilities. In an ASCE report vitality, with development being slowed vitality for their residents.
regarding the economic impact of cur- due to concerns related to lagging sewer The city experiences, on average, ap-
rent investment trends in water and capacity. Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) proximately 40 operations and mainte-
wastewater treatment infrastructure, the are being experienced due to rainfall de- nance related SSOs per year and approxi-
organization predicts that by 2020 we will pendent infiltration and inflow (I/I) in the mately 34 wet weather and I/I-related
have an $84 billion deficit for sustaining deteriorating sewer system and blockages overflows per year. A total of approxi-
water delivery and wastewater treatment from inefficient maintenance activities. mately 540 overflows were observed and
which will in turn cost Americans 700,000 In September 2012, the EPA Region IV recorded between November 2006 and
jobs and $206 billion in increased costs took notice and issued an Administrative August 2013. So what will it take to suc-
to businesses and households. Although Order on Consent (AOC) to the city of cessfully stop these SSOs from occurring
some of these statistics may seem over- Springfield, mandating that they eliminate in Springfield within the five-year period
whelming, for many Tennessee munici- SSOs in their wastewater collection system mandated by the EPA? With numerous
palities, the effects are all too real. Couple within five years. Engineers from Gresham, issues to address, the team knew the plan
the lack of funding with increasing federal Smith and Partners (GS&P) were brought must incorporate practical and proven
and local environmental mandates that on board to work with the Springfield solutions that include a combination of
must be met, and you’ve hit a major Water and Wastewater Department to conveyance, storage, and rehabilitation
source of angst for nearly every public help analyze the current system, develop a measures to maximize system storage and
This program will assure that the city
of Springfield’s wastewater system,
including its gravity sewers, pumping
stations, force mains and treatment
plant, has sufficient capacity to convey
and treat all existing and proposed
future dry weather flows.
16 TPW March/April 2014
Springfield Develops WCTS Plan
Aging infrastructure. There may be works and utility director in the country. systematic approach for bringing the mu-
no business sector that understands the In Springfield, failing wastewater col- nicipality into compliance, and to position
implications of this problem better than lection system infrastructure has been the city for a more sustainable future that
those of us involved in public works and impeding the community’s economic better supports the economic and social
municipal utilities. In an ASCE report vitality, with development being slowed vitality for their residents.
regarding the economic impact of cur- due to concerns related to lagging sewer The city experiences, on average, ap-
rent investment trends in water and capacity. Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) proximately 40 operations and mainte-
wastewater treatment infrastructure, the are being experienced due to rainfall de- nance related SSOs per year and approxi-
organization predicts that by 2020 we will pendent infiltration and inflow (I/I) in the mately 34 wet weather and I/I-related
have an $84 billion deficit for sustaining deteriorating sewer system and blockages overflows per year. A total of approxi-
water delivery and wastewater treatment from inefficient maintenance activities. mately 540 overflows were observed and
which will in turn cost Americans 700,000 In September 2012, the EPA Region IV recorded between November 2006 and
jobs and $206 billion in increased costs took notice and issued an Administrative August 2013. So what will it take to suc-
to businesses and households. Although Order on Consent (AOC) to the city of cessfully stop these SSOs from occurring
some of these statistics may seem over- Springfield, mandating that they eliminate in Springfield within the five-year period
whelming, for many Tennessee munici- SSOs in their wastewater collection system mandated by the EPA? With numerous
palities, the effects are all too real. Couple within five years. Engineers from Gresham, issues to address, the team knew the plan
the lack of funding with increasing federal Smith and Partners (GS&P) were brought must incorporate practical and proven
and local environmental mandates that on board to work with the Springfield solutions that include a combination of
must be met, and you’ve hit a major Water and Wastewater Department to conveyance, storage, and rehabilitation
source of angst for nearly every public help analyze the current system, develop a measures to maximize system storage and
This program will assure that the city
of Springfield’s wastewater system,
including its gravity sewers, pumping
stations, force mains and treatment
plant, has sufficient capacity to convey
and treat all existing and proposed
future dry weather flows.
16 TPW March/April 2014
