Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago protects Lake Michigan, the area’s main source of drinking
water, from pollution. It has constructed the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the North Shore Channel, and the Calumet-Sag
Channel to divert drainage flows away from Lake Michigan.
The District has constructed 554 miles of interceptor sewers to collect wastewater from 125 municipalities for conveyance to
its Stickney, North Side, Calumet, Kirie, Egan, Hanover Park and Lemont Water Reclamation Plants. The District operates and
maintains these seven water reclamation plants to treat wastewater collected from a service area of 883.5 square miles. In
addition, the District has constructed 109 miles of Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) tunnels to capture combined sewer
overflows, which previously discharged into the waterways of the District. The District has participated in the construction of
31 storm water reservoirs that provide 3.5 billion gallons of storage.
The wastewater treated by the District’s facilities represents a population equivalent of approximately 10.1 million people, a
domestic load from 5.0 million people, and a non-domestic load from business and industry equal to about 4.5 million people,
and a combined-sewer overflow equivalent of 0.6 million people. The District’s water reclamation plants process an average of
approximately 1.5 billion gallons of wastewater each day.
Each of the District’s water reclamation plants (WRP) operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. All of the District’s WRPs are in compliance with
their NPDES permit. In order to maintain compliance, the District’s facilities are continuously rehabilitated and upgraded to
provide cost effective collection and treatment.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM POLICY
The District’s Capital Improvements Program consists of those projects identified as necessary to assure safe and uninterrupted
operation of its facilities, meet existing and new statutory and regulatory requirements, and maintain efficiency in a cost
effective manner. Necessary projects are identified in one of two ways. Studies are conducted to investigate the potential need
for new or expanded facilities. Such studies can be initiated when facilities are nearing or operating at capacity in order to
determine future needs or when facilities are anticipated to be required as a result of pending regulations. Projects determined
necessary as a result of such studies are requested to be authorized and added to the Capital Improvements Program. Meetings
and discussions are also conducted between the Engineering and Maintenance and Operations Departments. Such meetings are
specifically held to determine the needs of the existing facilities and to identify those needs beyond the capacity and resources
of the Maintenance and Operations Department to perform. Again, projects determined necessary as a result of such needs are
requested to be authorized and added to the Capital Improvements Program. The program is comprised of all projects, both
near and long term, which are identified and authorized consistent with the above process.
Prioritization is developed for the entire list of projects. Discussions routinely held between the Engineering and Maintenance
and Operations Departments result in a dynamic listing that is revised or added to as necessary. Prioritization is thoroughly
reviewed and evaluated by concerned departments during the budget preparation period. Scheduling of projects is based upon
review of need (prioritization), design, other time requirements, and financial resources. As a result of such reviews, projects
are added to the current budget period, or scheduled for future years.
The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 34 became effective in 2003. By adopting the modified
approach for infrastructure, we agree to perform condition assessments of our facilities, establish service levels for our
infrastructure, and appropriate monies to maintain these high standards thus protecting the environment and avoiding the
detrimental impacts of deferred maintenance. The results of these assessments are reported in the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report.
BENEFICIAL IMPACT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS
Over the last century, District taxpayers have invested $24.6 billion in present day dollars to construct interceptors, tunnels,
treatment plants, and other infrastructure necessary to serve the area. Additional facilities remaining to be completed to meet
current and anticipated needs through the year 2026 will cost an estimated $2.1 billion. Through proper operation,
maintenance, repair, and replacement, the District ensures continued efficient, reliable service and protects its investment and
infrastructure and meets NPDES permit requirements. This Capital Improvements Program identifies and prioritizes obsolete
equipment and facilities for upgrade and modernization.
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