Clean Water 2020 Newsletter Vol. 5, No. 1

Newsletter Vol. 5, No. 1

City Manager Announces Utility Operations, Meet Your Engineering, and Customer Care Reorganization Co-Workers

City Manager Teresa Wilson

City Manager Teresa Wilson announced organiza onal changes for the former Department of U li es and Engineering and Customer Care that became effec ve on January 1, 2017. A new Assistant City Manager for U li es and Engineering will oversee the Department of Engineering, Department of U lity Opera ons, and Customer Care and Field Services. In December 2016, Wilson also announced that an assessment of all water, sewer, and stormwater u lity opera ons is underway.

Clint Shealy Q. Who are you, and what do you do?

CS. I am Clint Shealy and I am the Director of U lity Opera ons for the City of Columbia, helping manage the City's water and wastewater u li es.

“We have started the process, but our work will con nue. I am proud of the teamwork displayed internally and I am humbled by the commitment of our staff to work diligently on improving our opera ons. The provision of water and sewer services is an integral part of the future growth and development of our city.

Specifically, water quality is a primary focus for all of our customers. By working together, we will elevate our services and opera ons in order to prepare our community for future expansion and an enhanced quality of life,” Wilson stated.

Q. What is the most interesƟng thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your work bio?

CS. I am a certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church and have completed three Half IRONMAN Triathlons.

New Organiza on:

Q. What’s the best experience you’ve had working for the City of Columbia?

CS. Ironically, the best experience I have had working with the City was also the most difficult. The tragic flooding in October of 2015 was an unbelievably trying me, but it allowed me to see our City staff in ac on and at their best, making heroic efforts to save our water supply.

Assistant City Manager Utilities & Engineering

Department of Engineering

Department of Utility Operations

x Engineering, Real Estate & Administration x Planning & Strategy

x Regulatory Compliance x Water Treatment x Water Distribution x Wastewater Treatment x Wastewater Maintenance

New organiza onal chart for U li es & Engineering Department

Customer Care & Field Services x Customer Care x Field Customer Service

Q. Dogs or cats, and why?

CS. Dogs, definitely dogs, because they are happy and loving and cats are, well, they're cats...enough said!

Improvements Underway: The reorganiza on also includes efforts to improve business prac ces and customer service. The goal is to provide high-quality municipal services efficiently, effec vely, and responsively. This focus is part of Envision Columbia, the City’s 2036 Vision Statement.

City u lity staff are using lessons learned from the Clean Water 2020 program to expand improvements u lity-wide. Several efforts impac ng water and sewer customers are underway while others are s ll in the development phase.

Highlights include: • Gap analysis to iden fy areas department-wide where processes could be improved for efficiency and customer service.

• A customer sa sfac on strategy that recommits resources to helping staff con nually improve their level of service. Staff training, meter reading audi ng, and goals for improving response mes are important elements of this strategy.

• Investment in technologies to assist in customer service, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure and an updated online water and sewer services portal for improved repor ng and bill-payment.

Maintenance Management System Milestone Achieved The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) reached an important milestone in April, comple ng the mul -stage implementa on of Cityworks®, a system for managing equipment maintenance at 56 li sta ons throughout the City and its 60 million gallons per day wastewater treatment plant. Finalizing Cityworks® also met two requirements of the consent decree well ahead of schedule (Maintenance Management System - Cityworks® Tes ng & Full Implementa on [IMP.3] and Maintenance Management System - Inventory Management within Cityworks® Storeroom [IMP.6]).

Using this Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) benefits the City by suppor ng and tracking the preven ve and correc ve maintenance ac vi es and associated labor and materials costs for over 3,300 assets. The following benefits are being realized using Cityworks®: • Increasing efficiency through automated genera on of thousands of periodic preven ve tasks per year based on defined schedules.

• Maximizing equipment warran es by ensuring required maintenance work is completed as required by the manufacturer.

• Saving money by Cityworks® work order screenshot providing management data needed to determine when it makes sense to replace a piece of equipment rather than con nue to repair it.

Meet Your Co-Workers

Joey Jaco Q. Who are you and what do you do?

JJ. I am Joey Jaco, Director of Engineering.

I am a very fortunate person who gets to work with inspiring people every day to serve the City of Columbia and its customers.

Q. What is the most interesƟng thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your work bio?

JJ. Prior to comple ng my degree, I had a job as a playground designer where I had the opportunity to travel the country and world designing and building playgrounds. I got to travel to Japan, Belgium, Germany, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, and Hawaii to work at child development centers on military bases. It was a once-in-alife me experience.

I also had a second job as a bartender one night a year during State Fair week. I s ll consider that a lifelearning experience. You get to meet people from all walks of life. My daughter also tells me I’m very good at keeping my cool.

Q. What’s the best experience you have had working for the City of Columbia?

JJ. Any me you are able to sa sfy a customer is a good experience.

Q. Cheeseburger or pizza, and why?

JJ. Either or both, really. There’s no right or wrong way to prepare either. You can add just about anything to both and not go wrong.

Meet Your Co-Workers is a new get-to-know-you series that features the lighter side of City of Columbia staff. If you want to take part or nominate someone else, please email info@cleanwater2020.com.

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The Cityworks® project also introduced the Storeroom module to manage material inventory and suppliers. Storeroom tracks reorder points for parts, helping reduce maintenance delays. It also enables staff to easily associate the cost of materials used in maintenance and repairs to the corresponding equipment for more accurate cost es mates.

Wastewater staff is enthusias c about how using the system will support their work. Lead Wastewater Plant Maintenance Technician Thorsten “TK” Killius recently shared, “With Cityworks® we expect to be able to reduce the amount of reac ve maintenance we do over me and even be able to replace or repair a piece of equipment before it breaks down by implemen ng a more robust preven ve maintenance program.”

This mul -year project, that began with a pilot implementa on in one area of the plant and at two of the five major li sta ons, has been a collabora ve effort by the WWTP, City IT/GIS, GHD, and CW2020 program staff. Now, the CMMS is in use across the division—for the en re plant and all li sta ons. Although Cityworks® has been used for work order management in several other divisions in the City, this effort presented a new challenge—handling complex rela onships among thousands of assets. City IT and GIS worked closely with the team in understanding and mee ng those challenges. Procedures were developed to ensure that changing inventory of equipment is kept current as maintenance work is planned.

Cityworks® training class

Major Pipe Assessment Underway

RedZone inspec on equipment

The City of Columbia owns and operates a sanitary sewer collec on system of roughly 118 miles of major gravity sewer lines (from 15- to 60-inches in diameter), approximately 13 miles of major force mains, seven major pump sta ons, and hundreds of manholes. Assessment of the major components of the wastewater collec on and transmission system (WCTS) is currently underway as required by the Con nuing Sewer Assessment Program (CSAP). A key piece of this assessment is a field condition assessment of the major gravity sewer pipelines.

Contractors are performing the ini al assessment of the major gravity sewer pipelines using two methods.

Inspec ons of the 15- to 30-inch diameter pipelines are u lizing video inspec on, including both closed circuit television (CCTV) and zoom camera methods, while pipelines 36-inches RedZone inspec on equipment in diameter and larger are using a mul -sensor inspec on. The mul -sensor inspec on employs tradi onal CCTV video in combina on with other sensor technologies to provide a comprehensive assessment of the pipeline condi on that is more detailed than visual inspec on alone.

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For this project, the mul -sensor inspec on includes the following methods: • CCTV – Detects structural defects and inflow and infiltra on sources including cracking, grease buildup, lining tears, etc., which can be seen visually.

• Lidar Profiling/Laser Imaging – Detects corrosion or deformed pipe above the water surface.

• Sonar Profiling – Measures sediment below the water surface.

• Hydrogen Sulfide Measurement – Measures the parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulfide gas present.

Almost 55 percent of the 622,000 linear feet of major gravity pipeline has been inspected and the data reviewed.

Early results show a large variety of defects between basins and across the system.

Hydromax command sta on Examples include high infiltra on in areas along the Saluda River and a large number of structural issues in older clay pipe downtown.

In addi on to determining the ini al condi on of the major pipelines, a cri cality ra ng is being assigned to each pipe based on quan ty of flow, proximity to bodies of water, transporta on impacts, and accessibility. Con nuing assessment of the major gravity sewer pipelines will be priori zed by evalua ng pipe condi on (probability of failure) in combina on with cri cality (consequence of failure). Those pipes in the poorest condi on with the highest cri cality will be slated for rehabilita on and a schedule for con nuing condi on assessment will be determined for each pipe by evalua ng condi on and cri cality.

These results will be used in conjunc on with major pump sta on, manhole, and force main assessments to determine the overall condi on of the City’s WCTS, and act as a basis for asset management Hydromax inspec on capture - obstacle in pipe moving forward.

Fully understanding the system condi on will be er allow the City to plan for the cost and ming of future needs and to efficiently maintain the desired level of service for its customers.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Employee Christmas Party The 2016 Wastewater Treatment Plant Employee Christmas Party was held December 13. CDM Smith helped sponsor the event. WWTP Superintendent David Wiman thanked the staff for their hard work and dedica on over the past year and remarked on recent improvements and successes including zero excursions. The plant closely monitors excursions, wastewater discharge within the permit levels, and having no excursions for an en re year is a huge success for plant staff and the City.

Wiman praised WWTP staff for spearheading a successful diaper drive for the non-profit organiza on Power In Changing and for numerous awards throughout the year including the Water Heroes Award, Rookie of the Year, Laboratory Analyst of the Year, and Wastewater Operator of the Year. He commented, “Recogni on awards for the plant and the City help build the public’s confidence in the department and foster a be er reputa on for the City of Columbia. Awards like [these] are huge deals for the City of Columbia. But, these are more about the team carrying the banner and making the best decisions for the plant. The en re plant has a hand in carrying the banner and that’s something to be proud of.” Wiman con nued by no ng that the WWTP’s goal is to be a best-in-class facility and the en re team can take pride in the improvements made over the last three years to get the plant to a point where it can report zero excursions. These achievements coupled with the resilience of his team encourage him even though the plant struggled with staff turnover in 2016. He looks forward to 2017 when he observes that “trainees are moving up the ladder in the Opera ons Appren ceship Program and no operators are in jeopardy of missing their deadlines, in fact, they are all way ahead of schedule.”

Lab Supervisor Sarah Hickman reported that the plant’s laboratory cer fica on was achieved at the end of 2015 and as of July 1, 2016 cer fica on has enabled lab analysts, Melissa Engle and Rachel Fur ck, to run samples in-house that would have normally been sent to a contract lab. Hickman noted that the process is going well and the first annual audit in October was excellent. The team held presenta ons on HachWIMS data and its uses in the lab at SCEC and at the HachWIMS Na onal User Group. Hickman also presented “Quality Ma ers,” a session on the inner workings of the Metro laboratory, at the 2016 WEASC Operator’s Conference.

Wastewater Plant Maintenance Coordinator Ashley Dove reported on maintenance and key performance indicators (KPIs). He applauded the team for their work and dedica on and commented that in the coming year the team would move toward more preven ve work orders. Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) numbers were higher this year even with the flood’s wetweather events removed. The area experienced two hurricane events which contributed to the increase in SSO numbers.

Coordina on with other divisions in the new year will help the City decrease the numbers further.

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Amanda Gainey and Jade Jackson presented annual recognition awards and door prizes, provided by Bearing Distributors, Cullum, Black River Machine, Richland Industrial, Carolina Rigging and Howard Engineering, were distributed.

ANNUAL AWARDS Valor Award ─ Donald Cho, Thorsten “TK” Killius, Cur s Teets, Grady Wilson, Fred Alexander, Zebedee Palmer, John Boyd, and Cur s Simpson Brinks Award ─ Raymond Bishop Big Brother Award ─ Cur s Simpson Helping Hand Award ─ Gerald Kirk Grimy Gloves Award ─ Cur s Teets and Melissa Engle Dependability Award ─ John Garland and Carl Dais Wellbeing Award ─ Ramon McKnight Maximus Award ─ Donald Cho and Jonah Melegrito Iron Team Award ─ Li Sta on and Laboratory Valor Award

TK, Grady, Zeb, and Cur s

Helping Hand Award

Gerald Kirk (“JJ”)

Grimy Gloves Award

Melissa Engle

Iron Team Award

Laboratory and Li Sta on

2016 WWTP Lunch

Stephen Sealey, David Wiman, Candace Mathis, and Sarah Hickman

Wastewater Maintenance Division Employee Christmas Party The 2016 Wastewater Maintenance Division Employee Christmas Party was held December 16 at the Eau Claire Print Building. Wastewater Maintenance Superintendent Robert Judy welcomed everyone and thanked Rain for Rent, LLC for helping in sponsoring the event. Judy expressed his apprecia on for division staff, department leadership, and Clean Water 2020 support staff.

Following the meal, Assistant Wastewater Superintendent Jody Harley applauded the staff on their impressive year-end numbers. Many service areas reported higher efficiency and fewer accidents than in the previous year.

Assistant Wastewater Superintendent Kris Hunniford announced the Longevity Service Awards for staff who reached their 5, 10, and 20-year marks. Also, Perfect and Outstanding Attendance and Safety Awardees were honored for their achievements and new hires between June and December 2016 were asked to rise for an official welcome.

Wastewater Operator Douglas Rauth was named the 2016 Employee of the Year. Recognized for quickly becoming a role model and an indispensable asset, Rauth joined the division in January 2016 and immediately began Kris Hunniford, Anthony Roberts, Jody pursuing his CDL, receiving the Harley, Employee of the Year Douglas Rauth, and Pren ss Brooks cer fica on within 90 days.

He also gained his C & D Classifica on Cer fica ons within 8 months of his hire. And, in his own quest for training and educa on, he realized the need for hands-on training and mentoring for the CDL Program and began a training group for the CDL Pre-Trip, the practice test for the CDL Vehicle Inspection Exam. His exper se was soon in high demand.

He met with management and together they developed a training DVD for the staff library. Rauth’s Pre-Trip prep groups and the training DVD have brought WWD CDL Exam numbers up significantly.

Hunniford remarked, “[Rauth] is a key player on his crew. He brings a posi ve a tude with the ability to get the task done correctly and in a mely manner.

He’s extremely dependable and trustworthy. The department is be er with him here.”

Jody Harley, Anthony Roberts, Foreman of the Year Dexter Diggs, Pren ss Brooks, and Kris Hunniford

2016 Foreman of the Year was awarded to Dexter Diggs for being a true role model and a great leader. Diggs joined WWD in December 2010 as a Water Truck Operator before landing his current role Clean Water 2020

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as Foreman. Mentoring comes naturally to Diggs. He is often found working side-by-side with his crew learning new technologies and skills which he enjoys passing on.

Harley stated that Diggs is “always willing to give more of himself for the Division and the community.” He is part of the Critical Manhole Response Team, offers his services on WWTP and Water Plant jobs, and volunteers for school functions like Career Day. Presenta ons proceeded with Robert Judy introducing the newest recogni on award for Outstanding Customer Service to Ebouni Moultrie. Ebouni has been with the Wastewater Maintenance Division for three years and started out as temporary staff. Within six months she was at permanent status and working on Cityworks, work orders, Ebouni Moultrie is presented Outstanding Customer Service and more. Judy expressed his Award by Robert Judy gra tude for en re administra ve team saying that “good customer service is as important as what we do in the field every day.”

Judy also introduced Clint Shealy the newly appointed Director of Utility Operations to the staff. Shealy thanked everyone for their continued service and expressed his enthusiasm for working together going forward.

In closing, Judy surprised Joey Jaco, now Director of Engineering, with a plaque, honoring him for his leadership, service, and support of the Wastewater Maintenance Division Wastewater Maintenance Division staff enjoy over the years. Jaco Christmas lunch thanked the Division and remarked, “With the changes in Wastewater Maintenance it is amazing to me how far we have come and it’s because of y’all.

This is a room full of people with integrity and respect for what they do and it shows in what you do every day and I just want to thank you.”

ANNUAL AWARDS Foreman of the Year Dexter Diggs Employee of the Year Douglas Rauth Perfect AƩendance Marion Aiken Ryan Coleman Kris ne Hunniford Terron Murray Douglas Rauth

Outstanding Customer Service Award Ebouni Moultrie 50” TV grand prize William Berryman Outstanding AƩendance Kaundima Ashley Dexter Diggs Alvin Faust Jus n Green Joseph Harley Kevin James Thomas Peters

Safety Awards Marion Aiken Derick Alston Kaundima Ashley Brandon Bright Travos Brown Ryan Coleman Brian Covington Dexter Diggs Alvin Faust Francis Fox Nathaniel Freeman Mar n Golston Edward Goodwin Jus n Green Neco Green Roosevelt Darnell Jackson Kevin James Jerry Lindsay Ebouni Moultrie Rodric Moultrie

Terron Murray Ronald Nixon Almondo Oree Warren Pace Jamel Pinckney Robert Price Zachary Reed Anthony Riley, Jr. Carlton Short Carol Sforza Dekota Radden Douglas Rauth Frank Jason Slack Kipland Small Elvin Jerome Smith Eaddy Spencer Evan Summers Reginald Tyler Antonio Williams Jennifer Williams Robert Williams

Water Utility Drop-Ins In January, the City of Columbia began holding quarterly Water U lity Drop-Ins to address water service concerns and announce Capital Improvements Program (CIP) projects.

Many CIP projects are designed to address increased sewer demands and reduce sanitary sewer overflows. Water, sewer, and stormwater CIP projects are featured at the drop-ins to give the public an opportunity to ask ques ons and provide input on the work scheduled for their area. CIP projects may be in the design or construc on phase at the me of the drop-in. Each phase of the project can last several months and have a significant impact on the community while the City works to improve the infrastructure.

Water and sewer customers can also meet face-to-face with Customer Care representa ves, ask ques ons about their water bills, learn about the water billing process, how water meters work and how to read them, and much more.

For informa on on upcoming Water U lity Drop-Ins go to the City’s Customer Care U lity page (www.columbiasc.net/customer-care/u lity-billing).

To find informa on on upcoming and past Clean Water 2020 CIP drop-ins, go to the CW2020 events page (www.cleanwater2020.com/keeping-you-informed/events).

2017 Dates January 19

Time 6Ͳ7:30 PM

April 12

6Ͳ7:30 PM

July 1ϵ

6Ͳ7:30 PM

October 11

6Ͳ7:30 PM

Location The Lourie Center (District III) 1650 Park Circle | 29201 Woodland Park (District IV) 6500 Olde Knight Parkway | 29209 Eau Claire Print Building 3907 Ensor Avenue | 29201 Washington Square 1136 Washington Street | 29201

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Sanitary Sewer Overflows In December 2016, the Wastewater Collec on and Transmission System (WCTS) experienced 14 sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) events, all occurring during dry weather. From July through December 2016 (FY16/17), the total number of SSOs was 79. In comparison, 83 events were logged for the same six-month period in 2015 (FY15/16). This is a net decrease of four SSOs from the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year. The total number of SSOs per 100 miles of pipe for the City of Columbia represents approximately 7.18 in the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year (July 2016-June 2017).

As of December 2016 (FY16/17), total SSO es mated volume equaled 1,112,085 gallons. In comparison, total SSO es mated volume for December 2015 (FY15/16) equaled 5,057,862. This is a net decrease of 3,945,777 gallons.

SSO metric chart for July - December 2016

Consent Decree Deliverables Consent Decree Deliverables ToͲDate

Status

CAP List (Checkbook)

Completed

Approved Dec. 9, 2014 Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) – Approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) Jan. 15, 2016 Approved Maintenance Management System (MMS) Sep. 2, 2016 Approved Satellite Sewer System Agreements (SSSA) Sep. 2, 2016 Transmission System Operations and Maintenance Approved Program (TSOMP) Sep. 2, 2016 Approved Continuing Sewer Assessment Program (CSAP) May 23, 2016 Gravity Sewer System Operations and Maintenance Approved Program (GSOMP) May 23, 2016 Approved WWTP Operations Program May 23, 2016 Approved Contingency and Emergency Response Plan (CERP) May 23, 2016 Approved WCTS Training Program May 23, 2016 Approved Information Management System (IMS) Program May 23, 2016 Approved Financial Analysis Program May 23, 2016 Sewer Mapping Program (SMP)

WWTP Training Program

Submitted

Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program

Submitted

CD Deliverables to-date chart

Water and Sewer Staff Honored at South Carolina Environmental Conference Congratula ons to all of the City of Columbia employees honored at the 2017 South Carolina Environmental Conference (SCEC). The following drinking water and wastewater employees were honored: • Director of U lity Opera ons Clint Shealy received the South Carolina Chapter of the American Water Works Associa on Herman F. Wiedeman Award for his contribu ons to the drinking water industry.

• Wastewater Plant Maintenance Coordinator Ashley Dove received the Water Environment Associa on of South Carolina Golden Manhole Award for his service to the wastewater industry.

• Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Melissa Engle received the Water Environment Associa on of South Carolina Laboratory Analyst of the Year Award.

• Drinking Water Laboratory Analyst Jill Mar nez and Drinking Water Operator Chris Williams won the South Carolina Chapter of the American Water Works Associa on Top Ops Quiz Bowl.

• Wastewater Laboratory Manager Sarah Hickman, Wastewater Operator Candace Mathis, and Wastewater Laboratory Analysts Melissa Engle and Rachel Fur ck earned Second Place in the Process Control Event of the Operator’s Challenge.

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The City’s water and wastewater programs were also wellrepresented at the SCEC conference with 12 papers presented on topics ranging from customer service during the October 2015 floods to using data-driven decision making to manage $400 Million worth of capital improvement projects.

Wastewater Year-End Training Reports Metro WWTP Employees Who Passed a Certification Exam(s) Employee Name

License Held

License(s) Passed

Type of License

Gerald Kirk Jonah Melegrito Cynthia Roland

TR TR C

D B B

MWWTP Collection WW Treatment Operator

*passed two certification tests in a sixͲmonth period

Charlie’s Angels Sarah Hickman, Melissa Engle, Rachel Fur ck, and Candace Mathis in the SCEC Operator’s Challenge

Wastewater Maintenance Employees Who Passed a Certification Exam(s)

Jill Mar nez and Chris Williams display their SCAWWA Top Ops Quiz Bowl trophy

Employee Name

Clint Shealy accepts the Herman F. Wiedeman Award

John Sherer presents Service with A Smile explaining how the City of Columbia responded to customer service needs during the October 2015 flooding

Ashley Dove’s Golden Manhole Award cer ficate

Melissa Engle is honored as WEASC Lab Analyst of the Year.

Derick Alston Kaundima Ashley* Brandon Bright Brian Covington Jamaule Glover Justin Green Gerald Holas* Curtis Jenkins Tenorio Johnson* Stephen Nabholz* Thomas Peters Thomas Perry Jamel Pinckney Douglas Rauth* Colie Scott*** Christopher Seawright* Reginald Tyler* Delaurentis Veal Charles Wakefied*** Calvin Williams

Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) employees were also honored at the Water Environment Associa on of SC (WEASC) Annual Mee ng in January. Capital District awards were presented to Cyndi Roland for Wastewater Operator of the Year and Melissa Engle for Lab Analyst of the Year.

Employee Name

License Held

License(s) Passed

Type of License

D T D B T T T T T T C T B T T T C T T T

C C C A D D C D C C B D A C B C A D B D

Voluntary Collection System Operator

Type of License

Jamaule Glover Edward Goodwin Justin Green Neco Green Class A CDL Gerald Holas Douglas Rauth Evan Summers Calvin Williams

*passed two certification tests in a sixͲmonth period ***passed three certification tests in a oneͲyear period

Lab Analyst of the Year – Melissa Engle (Jay Nicholson, Sarah Hickman, Melissa Engle, Jeremy Brashears, Bob Freeman)

WW Operator of the Year – Cyndi Roland (Jeremy Brashears, Jay Nicholson, Cyndi Roland, Adrian Mar n, Bob Freeman)

For suggestions or questions regarding the newsletter, please contact: Email: info@CleanWater2020.com Clean Water 2020 Clean Water 2020

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