Title
Proposed Consent Order Regarding Wastewater Overflows (NB)
Staff will present the proposed Consent Order to the City Commission developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The Consent Order is for violations regarding broken force mains and subsequent discharge of wastewater to the environment that occurred in July and August of 2013. The Consent Order requires GRU to pay administrative costs ($250), civil penalties ($7,500), conduct an engineering analysis of the existing force main, and develop and implement a valve exercising program for the force main system. The valve exercising program could result in significant long-term fiscal impacts including additional staff, vehicles, and equipment.
Explanation
On Friday July 26, 2013, GRU was called to investigate a wastewater odor at the 800 Block of SW 34th Street. GRU crews identified a leak on the 36” force main located just east of SW 34th Street. The leak was caused by a failure in a joint on a 36” diameter high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The Commission received a presentation on August 1, 2013 detailing the events.
In addition, on August 13, 2013, an air release valve (ARV) on a 12” force main at the Gainesville Airport corroded and broke off. Approximately 58,000 gallons of wastewater was released from the force main as a result of this failed ARV. GRU crews responded and repaired the force main within 30 minutes of the reported failure.
As a result of these two incidents, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued a proposed Consent Order. The Consent Order consists of the following elements:
1) Develop and implement a Valve Exercising Program;
2) Hire a Professional Engineer to conduct an analysis of joint deflections adjacent to the joint failure;
3) Pay the FDEP $250 in administrative fees; and
4) Pay the FDEP $7,500.00 in civil penalties or implement an in-kind project of at least $11,250.00.
We are requesting that FDE...
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