Demonstrating Solutions to Wastewater Management Challenges in Greenwood Lake

Transcription

1 Sound Science, Practical Remedies Demonstrating Solutions to Wastewater Management Challenges in Greenwood Lake A Project for the Orange County Water Authority Dave Braun and Bruce Douglas P.E., Stone Environmental Kurt Mailman P.E., Fuss and O Neill November 14, 2007

2 Presentation Overview 1 Project Team 2 Goals 3 Decentralized Wastewater Management 4 Needs Assessment 5 Demonstration Systems 6 Stakeholder Involvement 7 Conclusions 2

3 Project Team United States Environmental Protection Agency New York State Energy Research & Development Authority Orange County Water Authority Village of Greenwood Lake, Town of Warwick, Town of Blooming Grove Stone Environmental: Dave Braun and Bruce Douglas, P.E. Fuss & O Neill: Kurt Mailman P.E. Decentralized Wastewater Management Experts Eric Murdock, P.E. Randy Miles, Ph.D. 3

4 Greenwood Lake Lake is a valued resource Elevated phosphorus is impacting water quality Conditions are challenging for management of wastewater New Jersey and New York developed TMDLs for phosphorus 4

5 Project Goals Improve Water Quality Consider Decentralized Strategies Maximize Energy Efficiency Analyze Costs Demonstrate Technologies Involve Community 5

6 Project Approach Collaborate on Outcome-based Work Plan Assess needs based on lot-by-lot analysis with field and existing data and advanced GIS processing Fact-driven - Focus on what is known about: Wastewater flows Natural phosphorus removal in soils Phosphorus removal technologies Build stakeholder Knowledge, Understanding and Support Evaluate P-removal technologies Demonstrate & monitor wastewater treatment solutions 6

7 Planning Around Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Centralized Approach Decentralized Approach Source: US EPA 7

8 Examples of Decentralized Wastewater Systems Traditional septic tank/leachfield systems Advanced treatment systems Cluster systems 8

9 Conventional Septic System Leaching System Basement Septic Tank Septic System Effluent Minimum Vertical Separation Distance Required 9 Ground Water

10 10 Advanced Treatment Systems - Onsite

11 Phosphorus Removal Technologies Advanced treatment technologies Dispersion systems specifically designed to maximize soil volume utilization Non-conventional plumbing Reactive permeable barriers to intercept groundwater Correction of failed systems discharging phosphorus to surface 11

12 Cluster Systems For properties with limited or no capacity on site Collection system and piping from 2 or more properties to offsite large dispersal Municipal system and site with permanent easements 12

13 Off-Site Replacement Options Small Cluster STEP systems Traditional or I/A cluster Large Cluster Services many connections 40, 50, 100 homes or more STEP STEP STEP Disposal 13

14 Operation and Maintenance Who is responsible? Typically homeowner Operation Amount of water used, garbage disposals, chemicals, drugs Maintenance Traditional systems Check/pump septic tank, check distribution box, check area for ponding Pump and I/A systems Above, plus check pumps, wiring, alarms, flush lines, sample 14

15 Fact-driven Approach Involve Stakeholders Document Sources of Data Objective Analysis 15

16 Greenwood Lake: New York Phosphorus TMDL 2075 single family homes (within ~200 yards of shoreline) Current Septic System Load: 1565 lb Phosphorus/year Target Septic System Load Allocation: 844 lb Phosphorus/year 44% reduction 16

17 Needs Assessment Cultural Conditions Land use Property Boundaries Existing Wastewater Sources Existing Septic Systems Natural Conditions Soils (Phosphorus removal) Topography Proximity to Lake Proximity to Streams 17

18 18 GIS Lot Analysis Results

19 Comprehensive Soil Assessment Describe Soil Morphology Define Limiting Conditions Analyze Phosphorus Sorption Capacity Estimate Groundwater Mounding Estimate P-removal in unsaturated and saturated flow conditions Soil test pit in Village of Greenwood Lake 19

20 20 Challenging Conditions

21 Criteria for Evaluating Phosphorus Removal Methods Phosphorus removal capability Cost Phosphorus recycling capability System robustness Proven track record Impact on landscape Energy requirements Site limitations Familiarity to the user Maintenance requirements 21

22 Define Criteria for Demonstration Site Selection Driven by Needs Assessment Outcomes Balance Water Quality and Public Health Benefits Town-owned Opportunities Need to be Explored Challenges Building trust of landowners Income-sensitivity Access to properties Ownership may be driven by grant condition Effectiveness of Phosphorus Removal Technology 22

23 Select and Design Demonstration Systems Place image here. It should fit in this text box and should align on the left with the picture above. Delete text box if still visible after placing and sizing picture. Innovative/alternative system installed at Warren Elementary School, Warren, Vermont Select systems/unit processes based on P removal goals and estimated electricity consumption Design systems based on site conditions and wastewater characteristics Prepare bid documents plans and specifications Construction management/inspection Monitoring 23

24 Demonstration Project Place image here. It should align on the left with the picture above, and on the right with the blue line. It should not obscure the Stone logo. Delete text box if still visible after placing picture. Home in Village of Greenwood Lake 24

25 Greenwood Lake Project Stakeholders Place image here. It should fit in this text box and should align on the left with the picture above. Delete text box if still visible after placing and sizing picture. Orange County: Water Authority; Department of Planning; Department of Environmental Health; Soil and Water Conservation District Communities: Village of Greenwood Lake, Town of Warwick New York: DEC Region 3; NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation; Greenwood Lake Commission Federal: EPA Region 2 & EPA Headquarters; Citizen Groups: Village of Greenwood Lake Revitalization, Inc Public Meeting in Orange County Educational: NYS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Training Network; Cornell Cooperative Extension 25

26 Review of Approach Collaborate on Outcome-based Work Plan Assess needs based on lot-by-lot analysis with field and existing data and advanced GIS processing Fact-driven - Focus on what is known about: Wastewater flows Natural P-removal in soils P-removal Technologies Build Stakeholder Knowledge, Understanding and Support Evaluate P-removal Technologies Demonstrate & Monitor Wastewater Solutions 26

27 Summary Sustainable solutions require a committed and educated public and elected/appointed officials A difficult problem requires out-of the box thinking Demonstration is springboard for sustainable wastewater management program 27

28 Questions? Place image here. It should align on the left with the picture above, and on the right with the blue line. It should not obscure the Stone logo. Delete text box if still visible after placing picture. Greenwood Lake (courtesy of the Village of Greenwood Lake website) 28