While it is a fact that humans and animals need salt to live, too much salt on land and in the groundwater and waterways can cause problems. That is why state regulators require dischargers like sanitary districts to reduce the amount of salt they return to the environment through the wastewater treatment process.
It is because of these regulations that ISD will soon launch an educational program to encourage customers to lower the amount of salt introduced into the wastewater and ultimately help keep rates down.
Salt is a generic term to describe contaminants that cannot be removed from the water supply or wastewater economically. Increased salts in wastewater are a result of adding chemicals to water through just about any daily household chore. These pollutants — such as detergents, soaps and salt from water softeners — pass through the wastewater treatment process and make their way into surface water or the underground water table where they remain. Eventually the contaminants will become so built-up in land irrigation areas that the land will become unsuitable for growing crops.
Any time the chemicals mentioned above are added to our water, salt is also added. To help reduce salts in our wastewater and help protect our water supplies, ISD recommends people simply “use less and choose wisely,” said district General Manager Tom Williams. That means use less detergent and choose wisely if purchasing a water softener.
Over the next year, ratepayers will hear a lot about water softeners. These devices are especially popular in areas with hard water. Sadly, they can harm the environment. Many softeners use salt as part of their filtration mechanism, and when these filters ultimately must be regenerated they discharge high concentrations of salt down the drain. Fortunately some softeners feature a no-salt or non-regenerating method.
Many new homes come with water softeners pre-installed. For those who do use a softener, consider disconnecting any unit which is not of the no-salt or non-regenerating variety and replace it with one that is.
No-salt or non-regenerating softeners do their work without the use of salt or potassium, which helps ISD meet its salt permit limits regulated by the state of California. The salt-free softener leaves essential minerals in drinking water, yet requires no chemicals, electricity or back flushing to operate. In some cases it can reduce by up to 50 percent the need for soaps or detergents, saving money.
Salt is a major concern now and will continue to be long into the future. At this point, reducing our water’s salt content will help sustain our operation and keep it running well. ISD is working in cooperation with Diablo Water District, City of Oakley and the water purveyors on Bethel Island to support its goals in this endeavor. Look for more information in the near future on other ways you can help the district comply with state regulations and reduce impacts on ISD rates.
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Reducing the amount of salt in our wastewater is possible even if you don’t use a water softener. Here are some tips anyone can follow:
* Disconnect your salt-based water softener if that is an option. Consider using a no-salt or non-regenerating water softener.
* Choose liquid detergents instead of powdered laundry soaps.
* Buy dryer sheets instead of liquid fabric softeners.
* Use disposable mopping pads instead of the old-fashioned mop and bucket of water when cleaning floors.
* Educate friends and family about the benefits of “using less and choosing wisely.” Everything that goes down the drain must be processed before being returned safely to the environment.
Plans to construct the new wastewater treatment plant continue to remain on budget and on target for late 2010.
It was only last July when staggering increases in the cost of concrete and steel forced ISD to revisit other options for the plant’s construction, a change that threatened to delay the project’s timeline.
District engineer Jenny Skrel spent several weeks exploring other time tested, reliable alternatives that not only will allow the project to stay on schedule, but also give the district its best opportunity to adhere to its original five-year budget plan and not result in additional costs to ratepayers. Once the new, less expensive alternative was identified, Skrel and her design team were able to completely redesign the treatment plant in three months.
Because the plant’s new design will require less concrete, steel and land, as well as treat wastewater to a slightly higher standard than originally proposed, the Board and staff are very excited about the direction the new plant is taking.
“The estimate for the redesigned facility provides the necessary savings to help keep us within ISD’s proposed rate structure,” said Tom Williams, ISD general manager.
The new design employs a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR). MBRs use low-pressure, ultra fine filtration membranes to separate liquids from solids during the treatment process, eliminating the need for additional clarification and land-based filtration.
Not only does the MBR cost less, it takes up less space and its capacity can easily be increased by adding more filters. The purity of the water it produces will allow for its unrestricted reuse for irrigation, industry and river discharge. Once completed, the facility will be the most advanced wastewater treatment plant in Contra Costa County.
The redesigned plant will be built on seven acres that ISD already owns. Its 8.6 million gallon ultimate capacity will occupy less than half the 15-acre footprint its original design called for.
There are some disadvantages with the MBR, one being that it is more electricity dependent. Upon further research the district found that even with the additional costs of electricity, over the 20-year financing window the plant still saved money. Final construction costs are dependent on a competitive bidding process.
Another huge accomplishment by the district was acquiring its river discharge permit from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. On April 25, the district, by unanimous vote of the RWQCB, received the necessary permit allowing the future discharge of highly treated water into the San Joaquin River off the north shore of Jersey Island.
The Army Corps of Engineers permit is the last one required prior to advertising the project for construction. This permit could be completed by late June or early July. Assuming all goes as planned, ISD could begin construction of the new treatment facility by October 2008.
Williams said ISD hopes to complete some preliminary setup work over the summer. Even with all the changes that have occurred since last July, he said the district remains confident the new plant will be up and running in 2010 as originally planned.
Cattle raising operations on ISD’s Jersey Island continue to prosper. In January, ISD sent 30 bred heifers to auction at the prestigious Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale and did so well that the show judges voted ISD cattle top replacement heifers in the event. Hay production on the island is good this year. More of the district’s cattle are expected to sell well in upcoming auctions during the rest of 2008.
Don’t forget if you plan to fish on Jersey Island that an ISD permit is required. You can buy parking passes and get permits online by downloading an application and mailing it along with a check or credit card number to the district. Fishing applications are among the useful information you can find online, including ISD board agendas, ordinances, rates and user fees, and updates on our new plant. Check out www.ironhousesanitarydistrict.com for details.
After a combined 28 years of service, two of ISDs longest serving employees have retired. Judy Trihey, who worked for the district since 1992, has moved back east for time with her family. Also departing is Dave Moss, who retired after 13 years as a member of the Jersey Island team. He will stay on as caretaker of the distict’s island headquarters, where he lives next door.
For nearly five years part of Louis Solana’s job at ISD has been to work on a state-mandated spill prevention and control plan. The 10-year mission involves inspecting and rating every inch of ISD’s more than 100 miles of sewer pipes using a Vac-Con truck and Aries Badger video inspection system.
The project, now halfway complete, is just part of the work that Solana has been doing. He also helps with general maintenance and repairs throughout the ISD system.
At home, Solana enjoys time with his 5-year-old son, Louie, and his wife, Bridgette. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony’s Church in Oakley. His group does everything from painting the church to building the stage on the church field.
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ISD’s Ranch, Levee and Reclamation Superintendent, Dave DalPorto, has been appointed to a seat on the Liberty Union High School District Board of Trustees. DalPorto lives in Brentwood, but he was raised and still works in Oakley, which gives him familiarity with Far East County’s needs. He will remain on the board until the Liberty district’s next election.
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| ISD General Manager Tom Williams accepts the 2008 Project of the Year award from American Public Works Association Chapter President Lauren Warren. |
The road, a joint effort between ISD, Contra Costa Water District, East Bay Regional Parks District and Diablo Water District with additional funding provided by Caltrans, was designed as a safer way for employees and customers of the four districts to access offices on the north side of the railroad tracks. The heavily used tracks have been the site of several accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians in recent years.
The new undercrossing not only appears to be a boon for the public, but is also a hit with the American Public Works Association, which was on hand at the dedication event to present the four districts with its 2008 Project of the Year award.
The undercrossing replaces the former entrance that had been located at Walnut Meadows Drive. It was dedicated in honor of longtime ISD board member and Oakley resident Lenny Byer, who was on hand for the ceremony with his family.
FOG ALERT! SANTA FE STREET: Oakley Ranch subdivision, on city’s western side, west of Santa Fe Court.
Its name harkens back to the first railroad tracks that made their way through town. But the mighty Santa Fe is no more, and gone too are the carefree days of unclogged sewer pipes on residential Santa Fe Street. Help ISD keep your pipeline on the fast track by not putting fats, oils and grease down the drain.
FOG stands for Fats, Oils and Grease that are found in many common household products. Here are the messy facts about FOG and some things you can do about it:
* FOG-containing products are often improperly disposed of by washing them down the kitchen sink or into the storm drain. This can result in property damage, health hazards and environmental problems.
* Pipes may be blocked by oils poured into the sink, even if diluted with hot water. As pipes back up, accumulated debris can attract insects and vermin and may create a potential health hazard by exposing people to raw sewage through sewer blockages.
* Sewage backups can result in expensive plumbing repairs. Clogged sewers can also lead to overflows in the street and pollute our creeks and the Delta.
You can help prevent FOG!
* After cooking oil has cooled, filter and freeze it and reuse it for another meal.
* Small amounts of cooking oil, such as meat drippings, can be soaked up with a paper towel and thrown into the trash.
* After it has cooled, pour used cooking oil into a sturdy closed-lid container, such as a coffee can, and dispose of it in the trash. Another option is to slowly mix in kitty litter until all the oil is absorbed and can be placed in a garbage bag.