Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND EFFICIENCIES
M&O continually evaluates and implements changes in plant processes and administrative processes that result in efficiencies
and cost and/or energy savings such as:
• Completed the evaluation and upgrade of the distributed control systems at 5 of the 7 plants, with Stickney WRP to be
completed by 2013;
• Study and evaluation of the ultraviolet disinfection system at Hanover Park WRP;
• Initiation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) program for wastewater operations at Egan and Kirie WRPs;
• Continue implementation of the Engineering Program consistent with the Master Plan;
• Optimization of inventory costs by surveying and organizing procured parts at the remote locations and the WRPs;
• Continued optimization of preventative maintenance procedures and overhaul schedules consistent with operational and
maintenance needs;
• Installation of online process analyzers at the North Side WRP;
• Installation of carbon dioxide injection system at the Stickney WRP;
• Completion of installation of stainless steel rotating pumps at West Side Pumping Station at Stickney WRP;
• Investigation and implementation of an electronic document management system for Contracts Administration.
GREEN INITIATIVES
M&O has proactively implemented green initiatives, such as:
• Maintained approximately 50 acres of natural prairie landscapes on District property;
• Implemented a rain barrel distribution program;
• Installed six rain gardens in the North Service Area;
• Ordered and purchased replacement heavy equipment with new technologies that reduce drying time of biosolids, and air
emissions;
• Organized and sponsored two Household Hazardous Waste Collections;
• Completed preliminary engineering for a proto-type long term Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility to be
located at a District treatment plant.
GLOBAL WARMING
M&O has done preliminary evaluations of impacts of global warming on its operations and is participating with the City of
Chicago in a Climate Change Study:
• The annual operating costs for pumping and treatment are related to yearly precipitation and may decrease slightly (4
percent reduction) at first, since rainfall amounts are expected to decrease in the near future and again in the middle of the
century. An increase (9 percent increase) is projected by the turn of the century since rainfall amounts are projected to
increase slightly;
• Projected precipitation amounts do not appear to increase significantly enough by the end of the century to warrant TARP
expansion.
WATERWAYS CONTROL
• PROTECTION OF LAKE MICHIGAN
The Waterways Control Center, located at 100 E. Erie, Chicago, and manned around the clock, continuously receives
meteorological data, radar displays, and information from 24 precipitation stations, 15 water-level gauges and four gauges
which record stored combined sewage captured by Deep Tunnels. This data and information, coupled with operational
experience, are integrated by state-of-the-art computer systems to provide the optimal direction for control of the 76 miles,
of the District’s navigable inland waterways. This results in accomplishing the mission of the District, to protect Lake
Michigan, our drinking water source.
• BETTER UTILIZATION OF TARP
The Waterways Control Center is the central information center for the status of the three TARP systems and functions as
the District’s communication center. Computer graphics, which utilize both TARP and operational information, are used to
predict potential flooding problems. These predictions enable the dispatchers to make operational adjustments to minimize
the impact of most rainstorms. The full reduction in potential flooding and improvement of water quality is subject to the
completion of the multi-billion gallon TARP reservoirs.
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