An Update on Louisville MSDs Basement Backflow Prevention ...
An Update on Louisville MSDs Basement Backflow Prevention ...
An Update on Louisville MSDs Basement Backflow Prevention ...
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OWEA Collecti<strong>on</strong>s System Workshop Columbus, Ohio<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>An</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Update</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Louisville</strong> <strong>MSDs</strong><br />
<strong>Basement</strong> <strong>Backflow</strong> Preventi<strong>on</strong> Program<br />
15 Years and 9,000 Installati<strong>on</strong>s Later<br />
Wes Sydnor, PE | <strong>Louisville</strong> and Jeffers<strong>on</strong> County Metropolitan Sewer District<br />
Timothy Kraus, PE | O’Brien & Gere<br />
© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Abstract<br />
The Problem<br />
Customer basement flooding due to surcharged sewers<br />
from wet weather events in the combined sewer area<br />
The Soluti<strong>on</strong><br />
The Plumbing Modificati<strong>on</strong> Program:<br />
• Began in 1993<br />
• Pays for installati<strong>on</strong> of modificati<strong>on</strong>s protecting against<br />
basement flooding<br />
• 9,000 installati<strong>on</strong>s completed<br />
• $15 milli<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> cost<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
<strong>Louisville</strong> KY Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)<br />
Created as a Special District in 1946, by KRS 076<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>sible for storm water and wastewater service in <strong>Louisville</strong>, KY<br />
metropolitan area<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
August 8, 1992<br />
Flood of August 1992<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
<strong>Basement</strong> <strong>Backflow</strong> Preventi<strong>on</strong> Program<br />
Flooded <strong>Basement</strong>s<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Surcharged Sewer Causing <strong>Basement</strong> Flooding<br />
House<br />
House<br />
Manhole<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Opti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Larger pipes & larger WWTP => $$$ and time<br />
Storage basins => $$$ and time<br />
Individual back-up eliminati<strong>on</strong> installati<strong>on</strong> => Risk<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Potential Program Risks<br />
Identified initial Plumbing Modificati<strong>on</strong> Program risks<br />
C<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> liability<br />
Budget impacts: total dollars; pace of spending<br />
Public dollar spending c<strong>on</strong>cerns<br />
Customer educati<strong>on</strong><br />
› proper operati<strong>on</strong> and maintenance<br />
C<strong>on</strong>fined space entry avoidance - no external installati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
On-going maintenance<br />
› customers not taking ownership<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Implementing the Program<br />
The Plumbing Modificati<strong>on</strong> Program began in 1993<br />
Tests c<strong>on</strong>ducted to choose the best opti<strong>on</strong><br />
C<strong>on</strong>cern over the program’s acceptance and success<br />
Selecti<strong>on</strong> of designated areas for implementati<strong>on</strong><br />
Chr<strong>on</strong>ic problem site selecti<strong>on</strong><br />
Customer notificati<strong>on</strong> and educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Extensive communicati<strong>on</strong> effort<br />
Geographic distributi<strong>on</strong><br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Public Educati<strong>on</strong> and Plumber Training<br />
Customer educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Letters mailed<br />
Door hangers<br />
Political involvement<br />
Plumber educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Details reviewed to assure competitive bidding<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Steps of the Initial Program<br />
MSD designated specific areas<br />
MSD mailed letters<br />
MSD database c<strong>on</strong>taining customer informati<strong>on</strong><br />
Packets of informati<strong>on</strong> mailed<br />
Customer solicit 3 bids from licensed plumbers<br />
MSD review bids<br />
Approval letters sent<br />
Homeowner c<strong>on</strong>tact plumber<br />
Plumber obtain permits<br />
Plumber c<strong>on</strong>tact inspector and MSD for inspecti<strong>on</strong><br />
Check sent to plumber<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Flood of 1997 - “The Program Expands”<br />
Over 12 inches of rain fell from February 28 until March 2<br />
Sixth worst Ohio River flood <strong>on</strong> record<br />
$85 milli<strong>on</strong> in property loss<br />
Result: Plumbing Modificati<strong>on</strong> Program opened to MSD customers<br />
throughout Jeffers<strong>on</strong> County<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Summary of Types of Installati<strong>on</strong>s Each Year<br />
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Valve Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
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Valve Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Sump Pump Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Ejector Pump Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Cost of Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
Initial program cost<br />
$5000<br />
Today’s average costs<br />
$2,800 ejectors<br />
$2,100 valve<br />
$1,600 sump pumps<br />
$200 administrati<strong>on</strong><br />
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Locati<strong>on</strong> and Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Installati<strong>on</strong><br />
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Installati<strong>on</strong>s per Year<br />
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How We Adapted<br />
D<strong>on</strong>’t Over Plan!<br />
Most Expensive device is not best<br />
Release form<br />
Wet areas<br />
Water in vaults<br />
Wow, it is FREE!!<br />
If you can image it, it exists!<br />
Payment direct to plumber<br />
Dedicated electrical service for pumps<br />
Transferred all oversight in house July 2003<br />
Downsized informati<strong>on</strong> packet<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
Summary and C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Extremely successful initiative for MSD<br />
9,000 installati<strong>on</strong>s completed<br />
Reduced the potential for human c<strong>on</strong>tact with diluted sewage<br />
Reduced property damage<br />
<strong>Basement</strong> flooding now very manageable. Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of “4A” -<br />
surcharged sewer/basement backup code<br />
Soluti<strong>on</strong> using n<strong>on</strong> traditi<strong>on</strong>al means<br />
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© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
C<strong>on</strong>tact: Marty Schindler<br />
schindle@msdlouky.org<br />
© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
© 2011 O’Brien & Gere
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