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EDITOR’SFOCUS
L
ocated in Essex County, Mass., Amesbury used to be a small farming and mill town in the early 1900s. Today, it is mainly a residential community with a population of more than 16,000,
according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
By Neda Simeonova
Unlike its neighboring towns and cities, Amesbury is a waterrich community. Fifty-two square miles of watershed supply the Powwow River, which is the source of water for Amesbury. The city eventually plans to leverage the potential for increased water withdrawals to attract new industrial and manufacturing growth. This important investment in the community, however, requires an upgrade of the local water treatment plant.
A Look Back Amesbury’s original water system was established in 1910 and upgraded in 1927, 1955, 1963 and 1973. The present facility, designed by Weston & Sampson, started operation in
regulations,” Rogers said. “Long-term goals are to provide high-quality water for the expected, predicted demand and extend the life expectancy of the treatment plant at a cost savings for the residents of Amesbury.” Amesbury has decided on dissolved-air flotation (DAF) technology. “Two types of technologies were piloted last year: DAF and ultrafiltration (UF). Both systems performed equally well, but the driving force on the final selection was based on factors including cost/benefit analysis. The DAF system will meet the future regulations and satisfy the anticipated demand while using the existing footprint of the present building,” Rogers said.
The Funding Factor
Upgrade
g n i k a t r e d Un
How one city handles plant improvements and funding challenges to comply with new regulations and meet future water needs
Funding is always a major factor, including receiving ratepayers buy-in on the need and value of investments in the water system. Recently, the city was able to secure lower cost Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) bonds to finance the upgrades. This allows Amesbury to borrow at a lower interest rate than currently available in the open municipal bond market. The city was approved for sufficient funding for a plant upgrade using either of the two successfully piloted programs (DAF or UF) and for additional upgrades to the distribution system, according to Kendra Amaral, chief of staff to Amesbury’s mayor. “The city’s acceptance in the SRF program is making it possible to accomplish a larger portion of water system upgrades at a cost savings for the residents,” Amaral said.
Responding to Rate Increases
1985. The project was not an upgrade, but a new facility built adjacent to the old one. According to Tom Rogers, assistant chief operator for the Amesbury Water Treatment Facility, “Two gravel-packed wells supply water to the head of the facility in times of an emergency. Pretreatment consists seasonally of chlorine and potassium permanganate. Aeration is used for oxidation and removal of volatiles. Coagulation follows with aluminum sulfate to form floc, and potassium hydroxide is used to boost the pH. The sedimentation basin settles out the floc particles and any remaining are removed with the granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. The GAC filters also remove organics that make it through flocculation. Water exits the GAC filters into the 300,000-gal clearwell, where chlorine is added for disinfection and a polyphosphate is added for corrosion control. Finally, as the water leaves the facility, fluoride is added for dental care and potassium hydroxide is used for additional corrosion control.”
Rate increases are never easy, especially with the looming economic climate; however, the city is seeking ways to ease the burden and avoid large and unmanageable spikes for ratepayers. For example, Amesbury has already begun a great deal of public education in response to questions and concerns about rate increases. “The city has been discussing the needs, costs and project plan with the ratepayers,” Amaral said. “The bond payments will not begin for another two years; however, the city is planning a phased rate adjustment in advance of debt service payments to avoid a single-year rate spike. Any reserve created by the earlier gradual increase will be used to offset total costs of the upgrades. In addition, the city is considering increasing billing from biannually to quarterly or monthly to allow customers the opportunity to spread costs over the year, rather than receiving larger biannual bills.”
Amesbury Today
Added Advantages
Like many water treatment plants across the country, Amesbury faces various challenges—specifically, meeting new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and local regulations from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. As a result, Amesbury has undertaken a number of retrofits and upgrades. “Last year, the sedimentation basins were retrofitted with new tube settlers to replace the old ones,” Rogers said. “This improved the clarity of the water, especially during warm summer months.” At the beginning of 2008, one of the two aerators was retrofitted with new slats to replace the old redwood slats. “The new fiberglass slats and stainless steel system should last for another 20-plus years,” Rogers said. “Almost all of the retrofits and upgrades are performed internally by plant personnel.”
The project brings additional benefits to the local residents. By upgrading water distribution system pipes and other infrastructure below a major throughway, the city will receive approximately $10 million in investments in the roadway. Funded and implemented by the state highway department, the investment will include a complete rebuild of the road that connects Amesbury’s downtown to major highways leading to other parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. “The upgrade of our water treatment plant is an important investment in the community,” Rogers said. “It allows us to stay compliant with regulations for clean water and ensures we have the capacity to meet our future water needs.” WWD Neda Simeonova is editorial director of Water & Wastes Digest. Simeonova can be reached at 847.391.1011 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Coming Up Amesbury’s sedimentation basins were retrofitted with new tube settlers.
16 16_EF_Neda_0508.indd 16
Projected population growth will increase Amesbury’s water demand and make complying with the new and upcoming regulations more challenging; meeting these goals will not be possible using the current treatment facility. Therefore, Amesbury anticipates beginning facility upgrades at the end of 2009 and hopes to complete construction at the end of 2011. “Short-term goals are to comply with near future
For more information, write in 1102 on this issue’s Reader Service Card.
L E A RN MO RE For additional articles on this topic, visit: www.wwdmag.com/lm.cfm/wd050802
MAY 2008 • WATER & WASTES DIGEST
5/1/08 4:18:23 PM
L
ocated in Essex County, Mass., Amesbury used to be a small farming and mill town in the early 1900s. Today, it is mainly a residential community with a population of more than 16,000,
according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
By Neda Simeonova
Unlike its neighboring towns and cities, Amesbury is a waterrich community. Fifty-two square miles of watershed supply the Powwow River, which is the source of water for Amesbury. The city eventually plans to leverage the potential for increased water withdrawals to attract new industrial and manufacturing growth. This important investment in the community, however, requires an upgrade of the local water treatment plant.
A Look Back Amesbury’s original water system was established in 1910 and upgraded in 1927, 1955, 1963 and 1973. The present facility, designed by Weston & Sampson, started operation in
regulations,” Rogers said. “Long-term goals are to provide high-quality water for the expected, predicted demand and extend the life expectancy of the treatment plant at a cost savings for the residents of Amesbury.” Amesbury has decided on dissolved-air flotation (DAF) technology. “Two types of technologies were piloted last year: DAF and ultrafiltration (UF). Both systems performed equally well, but the driving force on the final selection was based on factors including cost/benefit analysis. The DAF system will meet the future regulations and satisfy the anticipated demand while using the existing footprint of the present building,” Rogers said.
The Funding Factor
Upgrade
g n i k a t r e d Un
How one city handles plant improvements and funding challenges to comply with new regulations and meet future water needs
Funding is always a major factor, including receiving ratepayers buy-in on the need and value of investments in the water system. Recently, the city was able to secure lower cost Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) bonds to finance the upgrades. This allows Amesbury to borrow at a lower interest rate than currently available in the open municipal bond market. The city was approved for sufficient funding for a plant upgrade using either of the two successfully piloted programs (DAF or UF) and for additional upgrades to the distribution system, according to Kendra Amaral, chief of staff to Amesbury’s mayor. “The city’s acceptance in the SRF program is making it possible to accomplish a larger portion of water system upgrades at a cost savings for the residents,” Amaral said.
Responding to Rate Increases
1985. The project was not an upgrade, but a new facility built adjacent to the old one. According to Tom Rogers, assistant chief operator for the Amesbury Water Treatment Facility, “Two gravel-packed wells supply water to the head of the facility in times of an emergency. Pretreatment consists seasonally of chlorine and potassium permanganate. Aeration is used for oxidation and removal of volatiles. Coagulation follows with aluminum sulfate to form floc, and potassium hydroxide is used to boost the pH. The sedimentation basin settles out the floc particles and any remaining are removed with the granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. The GAC filters also remove organics that make it through flocculation. Water exits the GAC filters into the 300,000-gal clearwell, where chlorine is added for disinfection and a polyphosphate is added for corrosion control. Finally, as the water leaves the facility, fluoride is added for dental care and potassium hydroxide is used for additional corrosion control.”
Rate increases are never easy, especially with the looming economic climate; however, the city is seeking ways to ease the burden and avoid large and unmanageable spikes for ratepayers. For example, Amesbury has already begun a great deal of public education in response to questions and concerns about rate increases. “The city has been discussing the needs, costs and project plan with the ratepayers,” Amaral said. “The bond payments will not begin for another two years; however, the city is planning a phased rate adjustment in advance of debt service payments to avoid a single-year rate spike. Any reserve created by the earlier gradual increase will be used to offset total costs of the upgrades. In addition, the city is considering increasing billing from biannually to quarterly or monthly to allow customers the opportunity to spread costs over the year, rather than receiving larger biannual bills.”
Amesbury Today
Added Advantages
Like many water treatment plants across the country, Amesbury faces various challenges—specifically, meeting new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and local regulations from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. As a result, Amesbury has undertaken a number of retrofits and upgrades. “Last year, the sedimentation basins were retrofitted with new tube settlers to replace the old ones,” Rogers said. “This improved the clarity of the water, especially during warm summer months.” At the beginning of 2008, one of the two aerators was retrofitted with new slats to replace the old redwood slats. “The new fiberglass slats and stainless steel system should last for another 20-plus years,” Rogers said. “Almost all of the retrofits and upgrades are performed internally by plant personnel.”
The project brings additional benefits to the local residents. By upgrading water distribution system pipes and other infrastructure below a major throughway, the city will receive approximately $10 million in investments in the roadway. Funded and implemented by the state highway department, the investment will include a complete rebuild of the road that connects Amesbury’s downtown to major highways leading to other parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. “The upgrade of our water treatment plant is an important investment in the community,” Rogers said. “It allows us to stay compliant with regulations for clean water and ensures we have the capacity to meet our future water needs.” WWD Neda Simeonova is editorial director of Water & Wastes Digest. Simeonova can be reached at 847.391.1011 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Coming Up Amesbury’s sedimentation basins were retrofitted with new tube settlers.
16 16_EF_Neda_0508.indd 16
Projected population growth will increase Amesbury’s water demand and make complying with the new and upcoming regulations more challenging; meeting these goals will not be possible using the current treatment facility. Therefore, Amesbury anticipates beginning facility upgrades at the end of 2009 and hopes to complete construction at the end of 2011. “Short-term goals are to comply with near future
For more information, write in 1102 on this issue’s Reader Service Card.
L E A RN MO RE For additional articles on this topic, visit: www.wwdmag.com/lm.cfm/wd050802
MAY 2008 • WATER & WASTES DIGEST
5/1/08 4:18:23 PM
