Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
Budget Message / Highlights
channels. This project will both enhance the treatment process as well as reduce odors associated with the now obsolete Imhoff
process.
Master Plan projects continue to be designed and constructed at the Calumet WRP. The construction of a new Central Boiler
Building will be completed and in operation in 2009. Construction of the new High Level Influent Pumping Station began in
2007, and will continue through 2009. The design of 12 new circular primary settling tanks, and a new aerated grit building
with an estimated value of $245,000,000, is complete, with construction anticipated to commence in 2009.
Design work began in 2008 for the highest priority project under the North Side WRP Master Plan, the construction of Battery E.
This battery is necessary to increase the biological treatment capacity. The addition of Battery E will give the North Side WRP the
necessary redundant capacity to permit the existing final settling tanks of Batteries A, B, and C to be systematically taken out of
service, demolished, and re-built. Battery E has an initial estimated construction cost of $315,000,000.
The Master Plan study of Lemont basin treatment and collection facilities recommended replacement of the Lemont WRP with a
new pumping station. A construction contract for a new pumping station and a 10-mile long force main to connect with existing
sewers feeding the Stickney WRP is expected to be awarded in 2010.
TARP Reservoirs
The Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) consists of 109.4 miles of deep rock tunnels designed to capture up to 2.4 billion
gallons of the first flush of sewage contaminated stormwater from combined sewers that had previously flowed into the area
waterways. The final Calumet leg of the system began operations in March 2006. In addition, the plan includes reservoirs for
storage of an additional 15.15 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow prior to treatment. See page 376 for the TARP
system map.
Thornton Composite and Transitional Reservoirs - In 1998, the District executed an agreement for land rights to the quarry
property required for the Thornton Composite and Transitional Reservoirs. The agreement outlined the actions to be taken by
both parties for mining of the Expanded North Lobe, use of the Lower West Lobe for the Transitional Reservoir, construction
of the Composite Reservoir, decommissioning of the Transitional Reservoir, and the schedule for transfer of various properties.
We have since completed the construction of the Transitional Reservoir in 2003.
In September 2003, the District executed a Project Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for
construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir. Due to federal budget constraints, it was apparent that the Corps would not
be able to provide sufficient and timely funding for this project. In light of contractually specified timetables with the property
owner, requirements of our NPDES permits, and proven flood control benefits, the District has assumed responsibility for
design and construction. This will allow the District to control scheduling, award, and construction of the project and ensure its
timely completion in 2014.
Mining of the rough hole required for construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir is on schedule with approximately
58.7 million tons of rock (77 percent of total) having been mined as of July 2008. Design is progressing on the contracts
required for conversion of the “rough hole” into the completed reservoir. These contracts are the Connecting Tunnels and
Gates, Groundwater Protection System, Tollway Dam and Grout Curtain, and the Final Reservoir Preparation contracts.
McCook Reservoir - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) finalized their Special Reevaluations Report (SRR) on the
McCook CUP Reservoir in July 1998. This report recommended a 7.0 billion-gallon reservoir to be constructed in two stages at
the District's LASMA site. Stages 1 and 2 are planned to be 75 percent funded by the Corps and 25 percent funded by the
District under contract 73-161-2H. The expansion of Stage 2 by 3.0 billion gallons is currently being pursued, with the District
funding any incremental costs.
The District executed a Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the Corps in May 1999. One of the major challenges
facing the District is federal appropriations to cover the 75 percent Corps funding.
The McCook TARP Reservoir is being constructed in two stages on District property between the Des Plaines River and the
Sanitary and Ship Canal. In 2008, overburden removal from the McCook site was substantially completed with the exception
of the expanded reservoir area. Full production mining of the Stage I rough hole began in the spring by Vulcan Construction
Materials, LP, under an agreement with the District at an expected removal rate of 7 million tons of rock per year. In addition ,
the Army Corps of Engineers completed the first half of the grout curtain in late 2008 and is expected to complete the
groundwater cut-off wall around the perimeter of the reservoir in early 2009.
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