Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
ENGINEERING CORPORATE FUND
2009 BUDGET NARRATIVE (continued)
It is estimated that infiltration and inflow account for approximately 120 of the over 500 billion gallons of wastewater treated at
District facilities annually. When the few remaining agencies complete their sanitary sewer rehabilitation there will be a
reduction of approximately 12 billion gallons of wastewater treated annually in addition to the flows eliminated by agencies
that have completed their rehabilitation program. Based on current costs for collection and treatment of wastewater, this
represents a waste of District and taxpayer dollars in the area of $20 to $25 million annually. In addition, infiltration and inflow
requires the District to make capital expenditures to construct and expand treatment plants with adequate capacity to process
these unnecessary flows. Repair and rehabilitation of local sewer systems dramatically decreases these costly and unnecessary
flows and saves taxpayers the burden of paying for treating this clean water.
Upon completion of this program, it is expected that the wet weather flow will be reduced by approximately fifty percent. This
will bring the MWRD and local agencies in compliance with state and federal guidelines, but will not totally eliminate
basement flooding and sewer surcharging. As of December 31, 2008, a total of 118 cities and villages have completed their
initial sewer rehabilitation programs and have
embarked on long term maintenance programs to
Sewer Rehabilitation
keep their sewer systems in proper operating
conditions. To date, seven communities have not
yet satisfactorily completed their I/I removal
programs.
118
It is estimated that the enforcement of the
Rehabilitation Programs will entail four show
cause hearings and three court hearings in 2009,
to resolve the issues arising between the District
and the communities. It is estimated that the
administration of the program will also involve
evaluation of three supplemental Sewer System
Evaluation Survey reports, three flow monitoring
reports, approximately 30 field inspections and
380 pieces of correspondence in 2009. Starting
in 2005, the District stepped up enforcement of
the communities’ approved Long-term Operation
and Maintenance Programs with a view to
maintain their sanitary sewer systems and
minimize entry of I/I into the sewer system.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
The Local Sewers Permits Section responds to questions and requests from the public and local communities regarding District
ordinances. In general, inquiries relative to the District Sewer Permit Ordinance include such diverse topics as permit
requirements, stormwater detention, floodplains, special construction problems, preliminary engineering review, engineering
standards, availability of District facilities, proposed District projects, review of proposed local ordinances and interpretation of
District ordinances. Approximately 8,000 telephone, 700 written, and numerous internal inquiries will be received and
addressed in 2009.
Approximately 550 field investigations will be
undertaken to resolve sewerage and drainage
questions and complaints. The complaints arise
from sewage back-up and surcharges, flooding and
other unsanitary or unsafe conditions detrimental to
the health and welfare of the public. As a result of
investigating these matters and contacts made with
local officials, the District has been instrumental in
bringing about a satisfactory solution to the
majority of the complaints. The Section
coordinates activities with other governmental
agencies to resolve multi-jurisdictional problems.
The Section also evaluates new proposed sewer
construction procedures and products.
Local Sewer
Systems in
Compliance
Rehabilitation
Correspondence &
Reports Processed
Citizen Complaints
Field
Investigations
Written Requests
Telephone
Requests
118
117
2009 Projected
2008 Estimated
2005-2007 Actual Average
238
380
380
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
100
100
550
550
700
700
Public Services
2009 Projected
2008 Estimated
8,000
8,000
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
330
330