SHARON WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (WMAC) MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 19, 2006
Prepared by Paul Lauenstein
Present at meeting:
WMAC Chairman Michael Birschbach; WMAC members Paul Lauenstein, Richard Mandell, Rory McGregor, Len Sekuler, Jack Sulik, and Cliff Towner; DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper; and Sharon High School delegate Emily Tran
1.
Approval of the minutes of December 15, 2005
2. Discussion of Wilber School Water Plan
3. Report of the Water Department
- Importance of distributed
access to emergency water
- Leak detection and unaccounted-for water (UAW)
- Nitrate levels in December
- Monitoring wells
- Pumping records for 2005
- Emergency backup
- New wells
- Iron/Manganese complaints in
2005
- Leak detection and
unaccounted-for water (UAW)
4. Radio Meter System RFP
5. Decision Matrix
6. Review Priorities
7. Election of Officers
8. Water Conservation
-
Water audits
-
Potential for conserving water in Sharon
-
Avalon Bay and water-efficient plumbing fixtures
- Water bill inserts
- HETs coming to Lowe's
- Letter to the Advocate about washing machine rebate
- Toilets at the Sharon Community Center
9. Water Web Site
10. Groundwater model
11. Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 7:30 PM
Detailed Minutes for the
1/19/06 WMAC Meeting
1. Approval of the minutes of December 15, 2005
The
committee unanimously approved the minutes of December 15 with minor changes.
2. Discussion of
Wilber School Water Plan
Michael Birschbach passed around a presentation summary prepared by the Horsley Witten Group explaining how to employ innovative water management methods to treat wastewater, control stormwater, and conserve drinking water at the Wilber School site. The integrated plan is designed to have a net positive effect at the site, reducing nitrates and improving groundwater recharge without aggravating wet basements in the neighborhood.
Paul Lauenstein recounted that he and Marilyn Kahn of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee (WSRC) attended a conference entitled “Beyond Sewering” at Bridgewater State College on November 16, 2005. They heard a presentation by Scott Horsley of the Horsley Witten Group about creative water, stormwater and wastewater management strategies, as well as the announcement of a $45,000 grant called “Keeping Water Local” to be awarded by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs’ Riverways Program. Paul Lauenstein and Marilyn Kahn arranged for Scott Horsley to make a presentation to the WSRC on December 5. The WSRC voted to hire Horsley Witten to prepare a concept plan for $5,000 which would serve to outline a site specific strategy and also be used as an exhibit as part of an application for the Riverways grant.
Paul Lauenstein said the objective of the plan was to facilitate redevelopment of the Wilber School site while providing a net reduction in nitrates and an improvement in groundwater recharge to the Beaver Brook aquifer. He listed a number of methods to accomplish this, such as:
• a constructed wetland inside a greenhouse to purify wastewater from the renovated building as well as wastewater from neighboring houses and apartments.
• a green roof to retard runoff while providing insulation and protecting the roof membrane from UV radiation.
• toilets using stored rainwater and state-of-the-art water efficient fixtures and appliances to minimize use of drinking water.
• bioretention areas in the parking lot and a rain garden to purify runoff en route to recharging the aquifer.
Cliff Towner asked who wrote the grant application. Paul Lauenstein replied that David Gordon of the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee and Paul Lauenstein wrote the grant, with assistance from the Horsley Witten Group.
3. Report of the
Water Department
Eric Hooper recounted that a car had struck a fire hydrant on December 26 just after 9:00 p.m., causing a massive leak for two hours, and much erosion. Several nearby homes had to do without water until the problem could be fixed. Eric Hooper said this demonstrates that water does not travel rapidly through the grid, and therefore it is important to have emergency water available at multiple locations.
Eric Hooper reported that of the three wells in the Beaver Brook valley, Wells #2 and #4 showed slightly higher nitrates in December than in November, although the levels were below 5 ppm. Well #3 was not used in December.
Paul Lauenstein asked what the tolerance (plus or minus) was in the nitrate testing results. Eric Hooper replied that the results in the lab report are reported to two decimal places. He added that sampling methodology also introduces variability.
Eric Hooper reported that the monitoring well results are typical of winter with falling water tables resulting from frozen ground.
Eric Hooper said the annual pumping total from the monthly reports of approximately 615 million gallons would be adjusted downward based on master meter calibration reports for Wells #2 and #5 to approximately 585 million gallons. Eric Hooper said venturi-type meters like the ones on Sharon’s wells are prone to drifting out of calibration, adding that the meter on Well #5 continued to report over 150,000 gallons per day (gpd) although only about 75,000 gallons per day was being produced by the end of the year. Eric Hooper said the adjustment would be prorated on a straight-line basis over the 12 months since the last calibration. He added that Well #5 had been off-line since the prior week due to a broken pump seal.
Cliff Towner asked if it would make sense to calibrate twice a year. Eric Hooper said it would, and said that accurate data is important. Cliff Towner asked if the water in the well had been drawn down to the strainer. Eric Hooper replied that the problem resulted from a broken pump, not from insufficient water in the well.
Richard Mandell asked how the calibration discrepancies in water pumping would be handled on the Annual Statistical Report submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Eric Hooper replied that the adjusted data would be submitted, rather than the raw data from the monthly pumping reports.
Paul Lauenstein asked if it would make sense to replace the venturi meter with a different kind of meter that would be less prone to drifting out of calibration. Eric Hooper replied that mag meters that cost $3,000 to $4,000 are more reliable than the venturi meters currently installed on Sharon’s wells. Paul Lauenstein suggested comparing the cost of replacing unreliable meters with the cost of more frequent meter calibration.
Len Sekuler asked if water use in 2005 were higher than in 2004.
Eric Hooper replied that 2005 calibration-adjusted pumping total of roughly 585 million gallons was higher than the calibration-adjusted 562 million gallons of 2004. He attributed this to a drier summer in 2005 than in 2004, and three major leaks. He said that total annual water pumping in Sharon has leveled off as outdoor watering restrictions have become progressively more stringent. He also acknowledged that summer rainfall has been above average for several years.
Cliff Towner reported that rainfall in Sharon in 2005 was 62”, the highest it has been since 1998 when it rained over 17” in June and boosted the annual total to 70”.
Michael Birschbach asked what normal rainfall is in Sharon.
Cliff Towner replied that although the regional total is around 44”, Sharon averages closer to 50”, presumably due to its higher elevation. He added that the timing of rainfall in recent years has been fortuitous, and he cautioned that the town’s water supply has been “saved by the bell” on several occasions.
Eric Hooper reported that there will be a meeting with Stoughton officials to discuss the details of an emergency connection. Issues to be discussed include the location, purchase of a small parcel of land, and the potential impact on Stoughton’s water system of a sudden emergency water requirement in Sharon.
Len Sekuler asked about the relative merits of the Chemung Street location versus the Plain Street location.
Eric Hooper replied that there is more space at the Plain Street location, but it is farther away from the elevated parts of town that would be most vulnerable to a water emergency. Eric Hooper added that Cobb’s Corner is also a possibility, adding that the cost of the land will be a factor in the decision.
Eric Hooper reported that he will present the results of the ESS report on potential well sites to the Conservation Commission (ConCom). Of the five possible sites, Blair Circle has been ruled out, the MBTA site has been deemed less favorable due to quantity issues, and the Gobbi site cannot be accessed.
Eric Hooper said he is trying to anticipate red flags from the ConCom and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Eric Hooper said he will ask the ConCom how much drawdown they would allow at the Islamic Center site in terms of its potential impact on nearby wetlands. Eric Hooper also said he will approach DEP to discuss whether or not the nitrate levels observed in samples taken at the NSTAR site would be prohibitively high.
Eric Hooper said Selectman Grasfield is working on the possibility of obtaining supplemental water from wells at the cemetery near the proposed Canton Street well site.
Cliff Towner pointed out that tests of water samples taken from the well at the corner of Dedham and Canton Streets just a few hundred feet from, and drawing from the same aquifer as, the proposed NSTAR well site showed almost no nitrate. He observed that the well at Dedham and Canton Streets is downstream from the NSTAR site, and asked if the nitrates observed at the NSTAR site had not yet reached the well at Dedham and Canton Streets.
Eric Hooper replied that he did not have a good answer to the question.
Jack Sulik suggested that more than one source could be involved, which might explain the difference in nitrate concentrations.
Cliff Towner replied that USGS aquifer maps indicate that both locations tap the same aquifer.
Jack Sulik said that USGS maps are not necessarily reliable.
Cliff Towner pointed out that Sharon cannot account for approximately a million gallons of water per week, and asked how often leak detection is conducted in Sharon. He added that although some leaked water returns to groundwater aquifers that feed Sharon’s municipal wells, much of it is lost to other aquifers not tapped by Sharon’s wells.
Eric Hooper replied that the Sharon Water Department arranges for leak detection every six months, four times more frequently than once every two years as required by Sharon’s Water Management Act permit. He added that 10% unaccounted-for water (UAW) is considered very good by industry standards.
Len Sekuler said every water utility struggles with UAW.
Eric Hooper added that leaks are only a part of UAW. Under-reading residential meters and over-reading master meters at the wells both contribute to UAW. Also, errors in estimated water use such as hydrant flushing affect UAW. He said some towns may be guilty of overestimating the amount of water used for flushing in order to reduce the amount of reported UAW.
Eric Hooper mentioned that new acoustic leak detection technology is available that could help minimize leakage. He noted that the biggest leak in 2005 occurred in a culvert where acoustic leak detection might not detect it.
Paul Lauenstein commented that a pilot is currently underway in Connellsville, PA involving an acoustic leak detection piggybacked on a fixed network radio meter system. It provides continuous monitoring of the water system for leaks, and plots the probable locations of leaks on an electronic map that is updated frequently.
Cliff Towner inquired about the road repair at the junction of Station and Depot Streets, asking if a leak were involved.
Eric Hooper replied that the new 16” pipe line had not been packed properly and a sizeable boulder had to be removed, but no leakage had occurred at that site.
Michael Birschbach asked if more frequent leak detection, such as three times a year, would be cost effective.
Eric Hooper replied that twice a year is cost effective, but that is already much more frequent than most other communities. He said it is conceivable that three times a year might be cost-effective, but the winter season tends to be quiet with respect to leaks.
Cliff Towner asked if leak detection could be performed at night, when the relative quiet would be more conducive to hearing the telltale sounds made by leaking water.
Eric Hooper replied that the expert leak detectors hired by the town work during the day.
Paul Lauenstein pointed out that acoustic leak detection systems work 24/7, and can take advantage of quiet nighttime periods and sophisticated software to zero in on slow but continuous leaks that account for substantial water losses. He added that the cost-effectiveness of an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system could be amplified by coupling it with an acoustic leak detection system, which would only add 10-15% to the overall cost of an AMR system. He also said reducing leakage upstream of customer meters would reduce energy and treatment costs without reducing Water Department revenues.
Len Sekuler recommended checking this out with a vendor of acoustic meter reading systems.
Jack Sulik asked Eric Hooper to provide copies of the next leak detection report to the WMAC. He added that checking for leaks twice a year is very aggressive compared to other communities.
Paul Lauesntein said he would monitor the Connellsville, PA acoustic leak detection/AMR pilot project.
4. Radio Meter System
RFP
Michael Birschbach asked about the status of the radio meter RFP.
Eric Hooper distributed copies of the 40-page radio meter RFP, much of which he said was “boilerplate” technical specifications that can be met by most vendors.
Eric Hooper said that although the life expectancy of the batteries used in the Meter Transmission Units (MTUs) is 15 to 20 years, the DEP requires replacement of water meters every 10 years, so the batteries could be replaced at the same time the meters are replaced.
Jack Sulik said DEP’s policy of requiring meters to be replaced every 10 years is ridiculous. Paul Lauenstein agreed, saying he had heard that water meters lose their accuracy more as a function of the cumulative amount of water they meter rather than their age.
Eric Hooper replied that DEP does not aggressively enforce this requirement.
Eric Hooper said that the RFP provides for a pilot period during which all vendors will be welcome to provide the town with pilot installations. He said that all components of each pilot installation must be located within Sharon.
Eric Hooper said the RFP calls for complete replacement of all 6,000 water meters regardless of whether they are accurate or not, or how recently they may have been installed.
Eric Hooper said the RFP is open to fixed network or drive-by systems, provided that both meters and radios are included in the proposal. Also, each proposal must include an alternate method, such as a hand-held receiver, of obtaining a meter reading in case the system goes down.
Eric Hooper said the RFP does not give an advantage to any particular vendor or category of vendors.
Michael Birschbach commented that he and Eric Hooper had sent a joint letter to the Selectmen recommending the involvement of the WMAC and the Water Department in the review process. He pointed out that the WMAC and the Water Department have been working together cooperatively, the WMAC members are already up to speed with respect to the available technology, and the WMAC has endorsed the expeditious procurement of a radio meter reading system for Sharon. He also said the task of reviewing the radio meter system proposals is exactly the kind of activity prescribed by the WMAC’s mission statement. Michael Birschbach asked if Eric Hooper had heard from the Selectmen regarding whom they plan to ask to review the radio meter proposals.
Eric Hooper replied that he had not yet heard anything from the Selectmen on this matter. He said the Water Department and the WMAC should be included regardless of who else might be involved.
Rory McGregor voiced his inclination to press ahead as fast as possible with procuring and installing a radio meter system.
Eric Hooper replied that the installation would be performed one “book” at a time. He explained that there are six “books,” each one representing one of the six sections of Sharon that is read each month according to the current manual meter reading procedure. He said it would take several years to complete installation of 6,000 meters and radios using in-house personnel. Eric Hooper said the proposals are due May 22, after which it will take a few months to review them all and award a contract. He added that installation could begin shortly thereafter, which might be as soon as this fall.
Michael Birschbach asked how meter installation could be accomplished without compromising other routine functions of the Water Department.
Eric Hooper replied that many installations would have to occur after hours in the evening and on weekends, since many homeowners are away during the day.
Len Sekuler commented that the scheduling aspect sounded like a nightmare.
Eric Hooper said it would be possible to hire an outside firm to perform the scheduling and/or installation of the system, but that would be negotiated as a separate contract.
Paul Lauenstein commented that many communities start out trying to self-install AMR systems, but within a year or so they hire an outside firm to accelerate the installation process. He added that some benefits of a radio meter system, such as monitoring unaccounted-for water use and higher summer water rates, become available only after the entire system is installed
Eric Hooper said that prices of fixed network systems have been falling as the functionality of drive-by systems has been improving, so the delay in procuring a radio meter system may result in Sharon getting a better AMR system for the money.
Michael Birschbach asked Eric Hooper if he would update the decision matrix for prioritizing various capital improvements, such as the iron/manganese filtration plant, new wells, water main replacement, etc.
Eric Hooper said he would present an updated decision matrix at the next WMAC meeting.
7. Election of
Officers
Richard Mandell proposed continuing the same slate of officers for another year.
Michael Birschbach suggested that in view of the absence of two members including the Vice-Chairman, the election of officers should be delayed.
Cliff Towner suggested delaying election of officers until the meeting following town elections in May. Jack Sulik voiced approval of this idea.
Rory McGregor moved that election of WMAC officers be scheduled for the first meeting following town elections in May. Richard Mandell seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
8. Water Conservation
Water audits
Paul Lauenstein pointed out that
$3,000 had been allocated for municipal and/or commercial water audits in FY
’06, which ends on June 30, 2006. He said it would make sense to accomplish
this in winter since water audits for heavy residential users will start up in
spring. He suggested starting with the High School.
Eric Hooper said he had been very
busy, and had not yet made arrangements for any water audits so far this
winter.
Emily Tran asked if the toilets in
the High School are efficient. She added that she thought the schools could use
water more efficiently.
Eric Hooper replied that the
toilets in the High School are 1.6 gallon per flush flushometer models.
Richard Mandell said he thought
the older part of the High School had old toilets that use considerably more
than 1.6 gallons per flush.
Jack Sulik said that schools
should have to pay for water so they would have an incentive to conserve it.
Potential for conserving water in Sharon
Paul Lauenstein said the
potential for conserving water in Sharon has been underrated. MWRA reduced
water use in the Greater Boston area by 33% over the past two decades in spite
of increasing population. Modern high efficiency toilets, front-load washing
machines and shower heads can reduce indoor water use, which in Sharon is
roughly 85% of total water use, from the present average of about 56 gallons
per capita per day to 36 gallons per capita per day, which would save Sharon
130 million gallons per year. In addition, higher summer water rates could lead
to reductions in non-essential outdoor water use, and an acoustic leak
detection system coupled with an aggressive leak repair program could
significantly reduce the 50 to 75 million gallons per year of unaccounted-for
water, saving money on increasingly expensive energy and treatment chemicals.
Paul Lauenstein said that with
all the new development in the pipeline there is a very real risk that Sharon
will be forced to turn to MWRA for supplementary water at great cost within the
next few years. He said it would be more cost-effective to promote water
conservation and minimize the amount of water needed from MWRA or avoid the
need for it entirely.
Avalon Bay and water-efficient plumbing fixtures
Paul Lauenstein asked if the new
156-unit Avalon Bay development would be required to use water-efficient
fixtures and appliances as stipulated in the new water regulation adopted last
year for new connections to the Sharon water supply.
Eric Hooper said that since
discussions with Avalon Bay predated the adoption of the new regulation, he
felt it would be inappropriate to require them to comply. He added that he
would try to persuade Avalon Bay to use front-load washing machines, but the
high efficiency toilets would be problematical.
Michael Birschbach agreed that
it was his understanding that Avalon Bay would not be subject to the new water
efficiency regulation, even though a final settlement has not yet been reached.
Paul Lauenstein said this would
set a bad precedent for future developments such as the proposed 190-unit
Simpson development on Route 1. He added that Avalon Bay is proposing to
connect to Norwood’s MWRA sewer, so tenants’ combined water and sewer bills
would be much higher than average in Sharon. He said that to the extent
water-efficient fixtures and appliances could help minimize tenants’ water and
sewer bills, the attractiveness of the apartments in the marketplace should be
higher. Therefore, rents and occupancy should be higher in the long run, and
justify any incremental up-front cost of installing the latest water-efficient devices.
Eric Hooper said the town has
virtually no authority over 40b developments.
Paul Lauenstein said the Housing
Production Plan filed last year by the Planning Board should afford the town
temporary exemption from 40b as long as at least 50 new affordable housing
starts are approved every year.
Eric Hooper pointed out that
until the 50 new affordable units have been approved, Sharon is still subject
to 40b. He added that Sharon could not require more efficient plumbing that
required by the state plumbing code.
Paul Lauenstein said that as a
Local Initiative Project (LIP), Avalon Bay is supposedly working cooperatively
with the town. Given Sharon’s need to conserve water, and the
cost-effectiveness of using efficient fixtures and appliances, there is no
reason not to install the latest water-efficient toilets, washing machines and
shower heads.
Water bill inserts
Paul Lauenstein noted that the
new water bill inserts had been omitted from the January water bills due to the
failure of the Water Department to order the printing in a timely fashion.
Eric Hooper said he would do his
best to get them into the February billing cycle.
HETs coming to Lowe's
Paul Lauenstein said he had persuaded Lowe’s to begin stocking Mansfield QuantumOne and Eco-Quantum High Efficiency Toilets (HETs) at Lowe’s. He said this should make it easier for Sharon residents to take advantage of the $100 rebate for HETs offered by the Sharon Water Department, since Lowe’s also provides delivery, installation, and removal of the old toilet.
Letter to the Advocate about washing machine rebate
Paul Lauenstein reported that a
letter will appear in the January 20 Sharon Advocate providing compelling
evidence of the cost-effectiveness of taking advantage of rebates to get a
great deal on a front-load washing machine. The letter lists the benefits of
front-load washing machines as saving water, energy and detergent while
reducing wear on fabrics and improving the longevity of the septic system.
No High Efficiency Toilets at the Sharon Community Center
Paul Lauenstein reported that the Standing Building Committee refused to install High Efficiency Toilets as part of the $9 million renovation of the Community Center, in spite of being provided with information on various models of high-efficiency flushometer toilets, and an offer of special pricing from a leading manufacturer. The high visibility of this location would have made it an ideal demonstration site for water-efficient dual-flush toilets that use much less water for liquid waste.
9. Water web site
10. Groundwater model
Richard
Mandell volunteered to investigate a groundwater model. He said this kind of
educational tool can be very useful for understanding the role of groundwater
in sustaining base flow in streams and recharging drinking water aquifers.
11. Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 7:30 PM