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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF)
CITY OF EAST LANSING – INGHAM COUNTY WATER RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY (WRRF) AND COLLECTION SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS NOVEMBER 2018
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Applicant: City of East Lansing, Ingham County Address: 1700 Trowbridge Road
East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Authorized Representative: Mr. Scott House, Director of Public Works Project No.: 5632-01
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The city of East Lansing owns and operates a wastewater collection and treatment system in Ingham County, Michigan, providing sanitary service to the city, Michigan State University (MSU), Meridian Township, and portions of Lansing and Alaeidon Townships. The city intends to replace undersized, aging collection system sewers, replace a pump station, and upgrade the WRRF solids handling system. The estimated project cost for the selected alternative is $48,965,000. The city is seeking a low-interest loan (2.0 percent for the 2019 fiscal year) through the state of Michigan’s SRF program, administered by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), for the project. Based on financing for 20 years at an interest rate of 2.0 percent, the annual debt service for this project equals $2,994,699. The current user charge rate would be increased by approximately $21.81 per quarter per equivalent residential meter, or $87.24 per year. The proposed SRF project qualifies for green project reserve principal forgiveness estimated at $1,938,000.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The study area for the project covers the city of East Lansing, MSU, Meridian Township, and small portions of Alaeidon and Lansing Townships. Existing land use of the study area is predominately residential, academic, commercial, and office space. The Red Cedar River runs through the study area with some wetlands within the vicinity of the river. The Red Cedar River is protected for agricultural uses, navigational uses, industrial water supply, public water supply, warm water fishery, aquatic life, wildlife, and partial or total body contact recreation during the months of May through October. The city of East Lansing’s collection system directs flows to the WRRF, formerly the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located at 1700 Trowbridge Road, just off the
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Trowbridge exit from the I-127 south expressway. Constructed in 1965 with a capacity of 8.0 million gallons per day (MGD), the WRRF was expanded in 1973 to 18.75 MGD with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 40 MGD that serves approximately 88,267 people. The city’s sewer collection system has been in operation since the early 1920’s and collects flows from Meridian Township, MSU, and East Lansing before conveying it to the WRRF through pipes ranging in size from 8 to 54 inches in diameter. The collection system contains both combined and separate sanitary sewer systems. In 2002, the incinerator for solids disposal was replaced with a dewatered sludge conveyor and truck loading system. Treatment processes at the WRRF include grit removal, flow equalization, primary settling, aeration tanks with coarse bubble air diffusers, secondary clarification, chemical disinfection, rapid sand filtration, dechlorination, and post-filtration aeration. In 2013, the city obtained SRF funding to install a new wastewater interceptor along Kalamazoo Street from just east of the Red Cedar River to Harrison Road, which was the first of a two-part influent sewer relief project. The city also has an ongoing SRF project to install new tertiary filters and an ultraviolet disinfection system at the WRRF. Figure 1 below is an aerial view of the East Lansing WRRF.
Figure 1 – East Lansing WRRF Three interceptor sewers convey flows to the WRRF: the Red Cedar Interceptor, the Sanderson Drain Interceptor/Brody Truck Sewer, and the MSU Interceptor. The city’s collection system includes three inverted siphons and three pump stations.
PROJECT NEED
Surcharging occurs in the interceptor sewer immediately upstream of the WRRF during wet weather conditions. Additional conveyance and storage capacity are needed to address these issues. A sewer study conducted by the city in 2014 for the Chesterfield Hills Neighborhood indicated that the existing combined sewers west of Kensington Road were undersized and in poor condition. The undersized piping needs to be upgraded to optimize the amount of flow that is sent to the WRRF and reduce the volume of combined sewer overflows (CSO) occurring at the Retention Basin (RTB) during rain events. Currently under high flow conditions the sanitary flow from the Woodingham Road Pump Station flows down the Brody Trunk sewer and mixes with the combined flow return lines on Michigan Avenue and overflows into the CSO tunnel.
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Most of the existing interceptor network in the city sewer system is at least 80 years old and reaching the end of its estimated useful life. In addition, the Brody and Michigan Avenue interceptors and the Harrison Road sewers are over capacity. The existing Kellogg Siphon consists of 6-inch and 10-inch-diameter cast iron pipes with sluice gates on each end. The gates have failed, and the siphon lines are constant maintenance issues. The interior concrete walls of the siphons are also corroded. The original Woodingham Pump station was constructed in 1962, and a back-up system was installed in 1985. The 56-year old operating components and equipment are nearing the end of their useful life. East Lansing received a Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater Grant from the State of Michigan in 2017, which evaluated several critical collection system components, including all three East Lansing pump stations. The Woodingham Pump Station was described as “functionally obsolete” and having a “high likelihood of failure.” Failure of the Woodingham Pump Station would have devastating consequences on East Lansing’s collection system. Repair or replacement of the Woodingham Pump Station is needed to meet current operational and future flow demands. The existing solids thickening and dewatering equipment at the WRRF is approaching the end of its useful life such that the existing Dissolved Air Flotation system needs to be replaced. When there is a problem in the system, the entire system must be shut down for repair.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Collection System The city of East Lansing eliminated the No Action Alternative which would not eliminate the ongoing surcharging and CSOs. Optimization of a system with such widespread problems is not feasible. The Regional Alternative, which would involve connecting to the city of Lansing WWTP, is neither feasible nor cost effective. The following two alternatives were considered to address the collection system problems: Alternative A: Replace Combined Sewers in Michigan Avenue and Construct New Harrison Road CSO Return Line This alternative consists of construction of 4,100 feet of 18-inch to 60-inch-diameter sanitary relief sewers, 2,050 feet of 12-inch to 30-inch-diameter storm sewers, 3,000 feet of 10-inch to 24-inch-diameter sewer rehabilitation, and an inverted siphon across the Red Cedar River. See Figure 2 for the proposed site plan.
Specifically, the project will involve:
• Construction of a new regulator on the Highland Avenue 36-inch-diameter sewer just upstream of the existing Brody Hall Tunnel connection
• Replacement of the existing Michigan Avenue Regulator to accommodate the existing dry weather return line
• Extention of a 36-inch-diameter relief sewer on Michigan Avenue east to the Harrison Road intersection and construction of a new regulator structure to divert
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dry weather flows to the existing 18-inch-diameter combined sewer line at the intersection
• Increase the conveyance capacity of the sewers in Michigan Avenue to accommodate the flows from the Chesterfield Hills sewer
• Redirect the combined sewer flow from Michigan Avenue that currently discharges to the Brody Hall Interceptor to a new relief sewer flowing west of Brody Hall
• Local separation of the stormwater sewers within the Michigan Avenue right-of-way (ROW)
A 54-inch-diameter relief sewer to increase conveyance capacity to the Harrison,
Michigan Avenue and Brody interceptors will be constructed south of the Red Cedar
River between the connection to the existing Kalamazoo interceptor and a junction
chamber adjacent to the City’s RTB. A 42-inch-diameter sewer will be constructed
between this junction chamber and a new inverted siphon across the Red Cedar River.
Upstream of the siphon, the 42-inch-diameter relief sewer will continue north to Michigan
Avenue. The existing 36-inch-diameter sewer from Highland Road will be replaced with
a 60-inch-diameter sewer constructed in Michigan Avenue, which will flow with the
existing 36-inch-diameter sewer to a new regulator chamber that will channel dry
weather flows to the relief sewer. The existing 24-inch-diameter dry weather sewer
connection from the Michigan Avenue tunnel to the Brody interceptor will replaced with a
42-inch-diameter direct connection to the relief sewer.
The 36-inch-diameter relief sewer east of the regulator will extend to Harrison Road
where it will connect to the existing 36-inch-diameter Harrison Road sewer. The relief
sewer will have a connection to the existing 18-inch sewer that flows south in Harrison
Road to send low flows through the existing Kellogg Siphon.
The existing Kellogg Siphon will be rehabilitated. A direct connection will be made
downstream to the existing 42-inch interceptor in Kalamazoo Avenue. Local collector
sewers in the north Michigan Avenue ROW will also be rehabilitated. The existing
24-inch-diameter Brody interceptor will be lined to address significant hydrogen sulfide
corrosion.
The existing combined sewers in good condition will not be abandoned but will continue
to be used. Storm sewer separation will be performed within the project boundaries to
the extent practical to help reduce the size of the relief sewers needed. Some of the
existing combined sewers will be converted to storm sewers.
Alternative B: Replace Combined Sewers in Michigan Avenue and Harrison Road Trunk Sewer and Construct a New CSO Return Line Alternative B involves the following upgrades to the collection system:
• Construct a new 42-inch-diameter sewer relieving the existing 18-inch sewer
• Install a siphon crossing to replace the undersized Kellogg Siphon at Harrison Road
• Rehabilitate existing local collector sewers. These sewers are all 24-inches-in-diameter or less and will be rehabilitated using cured-in-place pipe lining methods
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• Replace the existing corroded sewer pipe and manholes in the Woodingham sewer from Michigan Avenue to University Drive and Oak Street to Harrison Road
• Increase sewer conveyance capacity to the Harrison Interceptor, Michigan Avenue, and Brody Hall Tunnel Connections
The following table compares the costs to implement Alternatives A and B:
Table 1: Collection System Alternatives
Alternative A Alternative B
Capital Cost $9,077,000 $10,574,000
Present Worth of Salvage Value
$3,377,000 $4,095,000
Present Worth of Annual OM&R
$149,000 $155,000
Total Present Worth $5,849,000 $6,634,000
The city of East Lansing has determined that the most cost-effective solution to address the collection system deficiencies is Alternative A. Woodingham Pump Station The city of East Lansing eliminated the No Action Alternative since the pump station is likely to fail. The Optimization Alternative will not work since the pump station is too old to repair. The regionalization of a local system pump station rebuild is not feasible. The following two alternatives were considered to address the Woodingham Pump Station deficiencies: Alternative A: Rehabilitate and Expand the Existing Pump Station In Alternative A, the city would rehabilitate and expand the existing pump station structure and replace the existing pumps with larger units to provide the projected firm capacity of 21.0 MGD. The piping and valves would need to be replaced to accommodate the increased capacity. Addition of a bar screen to replace the current grinder unit and relocation of the electrical room equipment would be included. Alternative B: Replace and Expand Woodingham Pump Station Alternative B involves constructing a new pump station containing new electrical control
systems and pumps adjacent to the existing pump station. The existing pump station
will remain in operation during construction of the new facility. The new pump station
would consist of five 5.25 MGD dry pit submersible pumps for easy access for
maintenance. The new station will provide a firm capacity of 14.5 MGD. There will be
sufficient space in the new pump station for an additional pump to meet the future
projected capacity of 21.0 MGD. The new station will use variable frequency drives to
provide a range of pumping rates to meet the current average and peak flows. Standby
reserve power will be installed as well as an odor management system.
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The following table compares the costs to implement Alternatives A and B:
Table 2: Woodingham Pump Station Alternatives
Alternative A Alternative B
Capital Cost $8,889,000 $7,942,000
Present Worth of Salvage Value $1,698,000 $1,468,000
Present Worth of Annual OM&R $392,000 $236,000
Total Present Worth $7,583,000 $6,710,000
The city of East Lansing selected Alternative B as the most cost-effective solution to address the Woodingham Pump station deficiencies. Figure 3 is the proposed new Woodingham Pump Station.
WWRF Solids Handing System Upgrades
The city of East Lansing eliminated the No Action Alternative since the current solids handling problems would continue. Optimization of the old system is not feasible. Regionalization of an existing process contained at the WRRF is not practical. The following two Alternatives were considered to address the WRRF Solids Handling System upgrades: Alternative A: Conventional Sludge Thickening and Dewatering Alternative A includes the replacement of the existing system with new sludge thickening and dewatering equipment. Two new storage tanks with hydraulic mixing systems would be constructed to hold the primary sludge. A new building connected to the proposed sludge handling storage tanks will be constructed. Two low shear thickener units would be provided for waste activated sludge (WAS) thickening. The existing aerated grit tanks would be modified for primary and WAS storage prior to dewatering. Screw presses would be installed for dewatering. The sludge would be discharged onto a conveyor system and transported to the Sludge Unloading Building addition on the south side of the Equalization Building. The dewatered and treated sludge would be discharged into roll-off containers for transportation and landfill disposal. A diesel generator would be installed to serve as standby power for the WRRF. Alternative B: Anerobic Digestion Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) with Dewatering Alternative B would use the same thickening and dewatering technology proposed in Alternative A. After thickening and dewatering, the sludge will be pumped to an anaerobic digester. The digester will convert the volatile organics in the solids to methane gas. The gas will be collected and stored in a gas storage tank. After treatment for hydrogen sulfides (an extremely hazardous gas) and siloxanes (silicone) removal, the gas would be used to produce electricity to help operate the WRRF. A new 80-foot by 100-foot Digester Building will include two 200,000-gallon sludge blending tanks to accept primary and secondary WAS streams directly from the existing WRRF processes. The digested sludge will then be pumped to the existing Equalization Building which will be converted to a dewatering facility utilizing screw press technology. The digestion process converts a portion of the volatile solids to gas, so there will be less solids. It is projected that the annual average amount of sludge produced for
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disposal will be reduced from 22,000 pounds per day to 12,900 pounds per day. This equates to a 40% reduction in the amount of sludge for landfill disposal. The dewatered sludge will then discharge into roll-off containers for disposal at a landfill. Figure 4 is a graphic of the proposed solids handling system. Note the small ball on the right is the methane storage container.
Figure 4
The following table compares the costs to implement Alternatives A and B:
Table 3: Sludge Handling Alternatives
Alternative A Alternative B
Capital Cost $26,459,000 $31,946,000
Present Worth of Salvage Value $4,041,000 $5,154,000
Present Worth of Annual OM&R $13,104,000 $5,563,000
Total Present Worth $35,522, 000 $32,355,000
East Lansing selected Alternative B as the most cost-effective solution to upgrade the solids handling system.
USER COSTS AND PROJECT SCHEDULE
The total estimated project cost for the selected alternatives is $48,965,000, including construction, contingencies, engineering, administration and legal services. The city is seeking a low-interest loan (2.0 percent for the 2019 fiscal year) through the state of Michigan’s SRF program, administered by the DEQ. Based on financing for 20 years at an interest rate of 2.0 percent, the annual debt service for this project equals $2,994,699. The current user charge rate would be increased by approximately $21.81 per quarter per equivalent residential meter, or $87.24 per year. This project qualifies for green project reserve principal forgiveness estimated at $1,938,000. Consequently, users may not see as great of an increase in their quarterly bill.
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Table 4 displays the total estimated cost of the three project selected alternatives.
Table 4: Total Estimated Project Cost
Alternative A Sewer
Replacement and Rehabilitation
Alternative B Pump Station Replacement
Alternative B Anerobic Digestion
Total Project
Cost
Capital Cost $9,077,000 $7,942,000 $31,946,000 $48,965,000
Project construction is expected to start in May of 2019 and be completed by August 2020.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Beneficial impacts resulting from the project include a marked decrease in CSOs, surcharging, and capacity issues within the collection system, much-improved flow due the upgrades to the Woodingham Pump Station, and an up-to-date energy efficient sludge handling system at the WRRF. Improved water quality from the reduction of surcharging and overflow events and the creation of construction and equipment manufacturing jobs are all beneficial impacts. Construction impacts associated with the proposed project are expected to be short-term. These impacts include construction vehicle traffic, noise, dust, emissions from construction equipment, presence of heavy construction vehicles and personnel, increased erosion potential, and disruption of normal traffic flows. Bypass pumping would be used while the pump upgrades are being constructed. Construction activities will take place at the WRRF, Woodingham Pump Station, and the Michigan Avenue and Harrison Road urban area, as well as a small area adjacent to the Red Cedar River. The proposed construction will be completed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The city will obtain a Permit for Wastewater Systems from the DEQ, as required under the Authority of Part 41, Sewerage Systems, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), as amended. East Lansing will use a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan that has been
created for the project. This includes the placement of silt fences along the project
boundaries, use of catch basin inserts and rip-rap protections, installation of a gravel
access drive, control and protection of stockpiled materials, and stabilization of all
disturbed areas in a timely manner. Construction equipment will be maintained in good
condition to decrease noise and emissions.
The Michigan Natural Features Inventory and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
webpages were consulted to determine if any threatened, endangered, or special
concern species were found within 1.5 miles of the proposed project location. In
addition, the city hired ASTI Environmental to assess the areas associated with the
project to determine if threatened, endangered, or special concern species or their
habitats are found within the areas of the proposed improvements. An onsite review
was conducted for the nine federally and state-listed protected plant and animal species.
The property lacks the preferred habitat types of all the listed species except for the
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Eastern massasuga rattlesnake and the state-listed beak grass and slippershell mussel.
Seven trees suitable for bat habitat were found within the project area. Removal of
these trees within the prescribed timeframe prior to March 31, or after October 1, would
be protective of the specified bat species. If tree removal is completed within this time
frame, it is the opinion of ASTI that the project is not likely to negatively impact the bat
species. The project area is not within a USFWS designated Tier 1 or Tier 2 habitat for
the Eastern massasuga rattlesnake, therefore, the project is not likely to impact the
Eastern massasuga rattlesnake.
State-listed protected species that may occur in the proposed project include beak grass
and the slippershell mussel, which are of particular concern since these species have
been found recently near the project location. ASTI surveyed for beak grass within the
proposed project limits twice during the 2018 growing season, but did not observe any
individuals. ASTI did not survey for slippershell mussels, since no work in the stream
bed is currently proposed. If this changes, ASTI will conduct a survey and take
appropriate action if found prior to the start of any construction work.
Approximately 42 trees are scheduled to be removed as part of this project. Fourteen
trees are on MSU property and will be removed and replaced by MSU staff. The
remaining 28 trees are on City property, the majority of which are within the Michigan
Department of Transportation ROW. Most of these trees will be replaced, however
many of the locations will need to be adjusted to avoid long term impacts on existing
utilities in the median area.
Temporary measures established to protect trees include: perimeter tree protection to
protect root zones and placing mulch ground mats where equipment traffic is anticipated,
to protect roots from physical damage. One 60-foot section of 42-inch-diameter sewer
will be installed inside a 72-inch-diameter steel casing pipe to be jacked in place to save
a mature tree on MSU property.
Most of the area is located within the 100-year floodplain. However, there are no
above-grade improvements proposed as part of this project that would cause an
obstruction in the floodway. Any filling, grading, or occupation within the 100-year
floodplain will require a permit under the State’s Floodplain Regulatory Authority found in
Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the NREPA, as amended. Any work within
regulated wetlands may require a permit under Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the
NREPA, as amended. Lastly, any work below the Ordinary High-Water Mark of the
river, such as a new/replacement utility line across the river, will likely require a permit
under Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the NREPA, as amended.
There will be minimal to no impact to wetlands in the vicinity of the Red Cedar River,
which will have pipes crossing it in two areas. Directional boring is a minimal impact
method of installing underground pipe, conduit, or cables in a relatively shallow arc or
radius along a prescribed underground bore path by using a surface-launched drilling rig
under the river to minimize impacts on the area adjacent to the Red Cedar River
floodplains and river.
Based on data from the geotechnical analysis completed as part of this project,
continuous groundwater dewatering is expected. A review of the information indicated
that the groundwater dewatering would exceed the 70 gallons per minute for longer-
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than-one-month threshold and that a Part 327, Great Lakes Preservation, of NREPA, as
amended, permit for groundwater withdrawals will be required. The City is applying for
this permit and will require the contractor to register all groundwater withdrawals and
comply with all requirements of the permit.
Wetland impacts from prolonged dewatering will be mitigated by the short duration of the
planned dewatering, and the time of year in which it will be completed (March-April).
Additional measures such as monitoring of water levels at sensitive sites and emergency
mitigation will be detailed in the Part 327 permit as noted above. All dewatering will be
discharged through filter bags or to sedimentation basins prior to discharge to the Red
Cedar River.
Sewer trenching for the replacement or installation of new sewers will occur within the
study area and the ground will be restored to the conditions found prior to construction.
The proposed construction will be completed in accordance with all applicable laws and
regulations. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has been given notice of the
proposed project, and the city of East Lansing will acquire any permits needed.
The State Historic Preservation Office was contacted, and it was determined that there would be no adverse effect on historic properties within the project area. The Tribal Historic Preservation Officers that may have historical, religious, or culturally significant resources in the area were contacted and none expressed any concerns. The collection system portion of the project will result in traffic delays and disturbances to the normal flow of traffic at the Michigan Avenue and Harrison Road intersection. Construction of the proposed projects are planned to begin after MSU has concluded its Spring 2019 class schedule such that most students will be on summer vacation. To minimize disruption to MSU Brody Dormitory residents and operations, a temporary construction easement will be obtained from the city of East Lansing for space adjacent to the sewer route north of the Red Cedar River. The Woodingham residential neighborhood will be notified prior to construction in their area. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A public hearing to discuss the proposed project was advertised, held, and recorded according to SRF program guidelines. The hearing was advertised on May 2, 2018, in the City Pulse, and the hearing was held on June 4, 2018, at 6:01 p.m. at the city of East Lansing Department of Public Works. Copies of the project plan were made available for public review at the East Lansing Department of Public Works, City Clerk’s office, and the East Lansing Public Library. All public comments received were answered by East Lansing city personnel or consulting engineers. A resolution adopting the final project plan was approved by the East Lansing City Council on June 19, 2018.
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REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
No long-term significant impacts are associated with this project. Long-term positive impacts include a reduction of CSOs and surcharging leading to water quality improvements in the Red Cedar River. The benefits of the proposed projects are anticipated to outweigh the short-term construction impacts.
Questions regarding this Environmental Assessment should be directed to:
Ms. Karol Patton, Acting Section Manager
Revolving Loan Section Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 30817
Lansing, Michigan 48909-8311 Telephone: 517-284-5433
E-Mail: [email protected]
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200-13045-18002CITY OF EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN AVENUE AND HARRISON ROAD
SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
11/12/18
J. SIWEK
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OVERALL SITE PLAN
Figure 2