Solutions: A Closer Look
Project Groundwork, the effort being made to address CSOs, SSOs, and sewer system capacity, is a multi-year initiative and is comprised of hundreds of sewer improvements and storm water control projects. It is one of the largest public works projects in the history of our community. This program is divided into two phases for purposes of implementation: Phase 1 (2010-2018) and Phase 2 (beyond 2018). Included in Phase 1 is the Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy (LMCPR), a short, deep tunnel, and, an Enhanced High Rate Treatment Facility. This tunnel (including the EHRT, pumping station and near-surface facilities at specific CSO locations) is expected to cost approximately $244 million (in 2006 dollars) and will reduce CSO discharges by 2 billion gallons per year.
Project Groundwork is designed around affordability based on a percentage of household income.
Work Components
Work components of Project Groundwork are organized as illustrated in the following table (based upon the June 2009 conditional approval from the U.S. an Ohio EPAs and ORSANCO):
| Wet Weather Improvements | Asset Management |
|---|---|
Defined projects (those projects identified in the Wet Weather Improvement Plan)
|
Projects funded by annual investment of capital funds for repair, replacement and renewal of MSD's facilities in order to maintain current levels of service.
|
County-wide "allowances"
|
|
| Note 1: Completed project costs through 2009. Note 2: All costs shown are in 2006 dollars. |
|
Some of the Project Groundwork construction effort is better managed by executing projects in "bundles."
Bundles are several projects grouped together based upon a number of factors, such as hydraulic dependency,
geographic location, common sewer capacity, and/or water quality issues. Also, the bundle concept allows
activities expected from allowances to be incorporated.
Asset Management
The term "asset management" generally refers to a comprehensive and structured approach to the long-term management of assets as tools for the efficient and effective delivery of services. Asset Management (AM) for MSD involves capital expenditures that are not formally considered WWIP projects or Allowance expenditures.
