Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2007 - MSD

was created. Project WIN is a comprehensive sewer improvement plan and itwill include the implementation of sewer improvement projects to minimize theimpact of combined sewer overflows, eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, andrehabilitate the community’s aging sewer system. Project WIN is estimated tocost approximately $800 million over a twenty-year period.First Two Phases of Project D.R.I. ConcludesOn January 27, 2003, Mayor Jerry Abramson outlined a plan to tackle Louisville’smost pressing drainage problems. The first phase of the plan – dubbed ProjectD.R.I. (Drainage Response Initiative) identified 380 of the worst drainageproblems in the Louisville Metro area. Phase I of Project D.R.I. was completed inFY 2006 and Phase II ended during FY 2007. Since January 2003, MSD hasinvested over $100 million to complete approximately 700 neighborhood projects.In addition, this investment has allowed MSD to complete in excess of 22,500construction work orders related to drainage issues throughout its service area.Plans are currently being finalized for Phase III of Project DRI.Enhancements to Flood Protection and Flood Control SystemsThe devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina helped to focus the nation’sattention on its aging flood protection systems. Flood protection and control hasalways been a high priority with MSD. MSD intends to invest more than $150million over the next 15 years to upgrade its pumping stations, rehabilitate itsfloodwall gates, and repair its floodwalls. MSD along with the U.S. Army Corpsof Engineers perform annual inspection and maintenance activities of the system.These activities allowed FEMA to recognize the flood protection system asnationally certified and thereby incorporated into the flood insurance rate maps.This certification should lead to lower flood insurance premiums for citizens ofLouisville Metro.Louisville Green Continues to Provide BenefitsIn FY 2004, MSD received the necessary approvals to market and distribute itsdried biosolid pellets. The pellets were given the name of Louisville Green andare being sold as a usable soil-enhancing product. Until 2004, all of the biosolidsproduced by MSD were hauled to a landfill for disposal at an annual cost of$600,000. During FY 2007, MSD diverted 18,250 tons of biosolids from landfilldisposal resulting in a savings in excess of $375,000. The product is sold tohomeowners in 40 pound bags. In addition, Louisville Metro’s golf courses,Kentucky’s Department of Highways, and fertilizer blenders utilize LouisvilleGreen in bulk. The agriculture market continues to be the largest user of theproduct. Louisville Green has been used in nine states since its inception and ithas been discovered to have uses beyond that of a fertilizer. Recent evidencesuggests that it can be used a deer deterrent which increases its value to farmersand the Department of Highways.4