BERRY CREEK WASTEWATER INTERCEPTOR PROJECT Project Team City of Georgetown – Owner Walker Partners – Design Consultant SWCA – Environmental and Hydrogeology Cambrian – Geologic Assessment and Karst Terracon - Geotechnical Project Purpose Purpose of Appearance at Commissioners Court Options Considered and Findings Of Field Investigations Project Timeline Parks and Wildlife Code Discussion and Next Steps Project Purpose Find most effective solution to provide wastewater service to a growing area • Projected ultimate service to 25,000 LUEs in the basin for existing and future customers Items of consideration • • • • • • • Environment Cultural Resources Constructability Maintenance Operability Permitting Risk Reduction BASIN Options Considered for Providing Wastewater Service Option 1: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek through Berry Springs Park Option 2: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek adjacent to Berry Springs Park Option 3: Lift station, force main & interceptor around Berry Springs Park Option 4: Wastewater treatment plant upstream from Berry Springs Park Option 1: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek through Berry Springs Park Berry Creek LS RECHARGE ZONE BOUNDARY Pecan Branch WWTP Option 2: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek adjacent to Berry Springs Park Berry Creek LS RECHARGE ZONE BOUNDARY Pecan Branch WWTP Option 3: Lift station, force main & interceptor around Berry Springs Park Berry Creek LS RECHARGE ZONE BOUNDARY 16.1 Million Gallon/Day Lift Station Parallel Existing Interceptor Pecan Branch WWTP Option 4: Wastewater treatment plant upstream from Berry Springs Park Berry Creek WWTP RECHARGE ZONE BOUNDARY Berry Creek LS 8.1 Million Gallon/Day WWTP Pecan Branch WWTP Circle shows the minimum area required for land application of the treated effluent from the Option 4 WWTP. The required amount of vacant land is not available. Option Comparison System Component Risk of Failure Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Electric Power Pump Electric Motor Control Panel Supervisory Control Pressure Pipe Automatic Valve Operator Error Pipeline Collapse Pipeline Blockage Construction, Operations & Maintenance Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Land Available Tree Removal Park Sewer Connections Available Maintenance Access Inspection Access Total Length of Construction < 10' Deep Total Length of Construction 10'-25' Deep Total Length of Construction 25'-40' Deep Total Length of Construction > 40' Deep Total Length of Tunneling Greatest Depth Total Estimated Cost Option 1: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek through Berry Springs Park Option 2: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek adjacent to Berry Springs Park Option 3: Lift station, force main & interceptor around Berry Springs Park Option 4: Wastewater treatment plant upstream from Berry Springs Park Option 4 Legend Highest Risk Minor Risk Lowest Risk Option 4 Field Investigation Resource Waters of the U.S. Wetlands Springs Seeps Berry Springs Park . Spring Pond Archaeological Site - Positive Shovel Test . TARL Site Locale Contour Line I Alignment . Seep - Watemay 0 Isolated Cultural Find Negative Shovel Test: TARL Site Boundary rC Alignment Corridor 50-m Spring Bufferl=1 Wetland Backhoe Trench Parcel Boundary muowmm Geologic Assessment Review of previous geologic studies and scientific literature Field investigation of creeks, springs, faults, topography, etc. Geotechnical borings and soil sample testing Piezometer readings of groundwater flow through Georgetown Formation Edwards Aquifer recharge, flow and discharge Project Timeline 1989 – Texas Water Development Board funded Wastewater Master Plan identifies need for Berry Creek Interceptor October 1, 2016 – Fiscal Year 2017 funding for the City includes Berry Creek Interceptor February 28, 2017 – Citizens to Address the Council October 24, 2017 – Council Approval – Walker Partners MSA October 24, 2017 – Council Approval – Terracon – GeoTechnical Engineering October 24, 2017 – Council Approval – Walker Partners Engineering Design November 14, 2017 – Initial Presentation to Wilco Commissioner’s Court December 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018 – Right of Entry for Field Investigations August 27, 2018 – Meeting with Commissioner Long September 4, 2018 – Meeting with Commissioner Cook September 4, 2018 – Meeting with Commissioner Madsen September 5, 2018 – Meeting with Commissioner Covey October 4, 2018 – Open House at the Parks Administration Meeting Room November 1, 2018 – Meeting with Judge Gattis November 16, 2018 – Site Tour with McDaniels Family at Berry Springs Park December 4, 2018 – Commissioners approved request for a Public Hearing to be held on December 18, 2018 Parks and Wildlife Code TITLE 3. PARKS CHAPTER 26. PROTECTION OF PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATIONAL LANDS Sec. 26.001. PROTECTED LAND; NOTICE OF TAKING. (a) A department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality of this state may not approve any program or project that requires the use or taking of any ... park ... unless the department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality … determines that: (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land; and (2) the program or project includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land … resulting from the use or taking. (b) A finding required by Subsection (a) of this section may be made only after notice and a hearing as required by this chapter. (c) The governing body or officer shall consider clearly enunciated local preferences, and the provisions of this chapter do not constitute a mandatory prohibition against the use of the area if the findings are made that justify the approval of a program or project. Are there feasible and prudent alternatives to the use of the park? Is Option 2, 3 or 4 feasible? • Options 2 & 3 are feasible, but not prudent. • Option 4 is not feasible because the extensive private land required for land application of treated effluent is not available. Why is Option 2 not prudent? • Clear cuts and removes an additional 10-acres of trees along the creek. • Tunneling length is almost double Option 1. • Requires maintenance and inspection access 75-feet below ground. • No relief for existing and future septic systems. Why is Option 3 not prudent? • Requires two lift stations adjacent to creek. • Risk of mechanical system failure and a discharge of raw sewage to creek is very possible. • Requires maintenance and inspection access 75-feet below ground. • No relief for existing and future septic systems. Feasible and Prudent - Recommended Route Option 1: Gravity interceptor following Berry Creek through Berry Springs Park What planning is included to protect the Edwards Aquifer and Spring Hydrology? Minimum 50-meter buffer from all springs to avoid direct impacts Construction monitoring for sensitive hydrologic features by professional geoscientists Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to maintain site hydrology (under drains, seep collars, etc.) Additional BMPs per approved TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan Install pipe with leak-proof joints and water-tight manholes Conduct internal inspection of pipeline every 5 years What planning is included to minimize harm to the land? Preserve all heritage trees and avoid potential damage Use silt fence to protect creeks from sediment runoff during construction Collaborate with park supervisor on construction schedule Provide multiple construction entrances away from park entrance Use temporary chain link fence to protect pedestrians and wildlife during construction Limit the length of open trenches and cover/fill trenches over night Provide temporary trails during construction, and restore trails and replace sidewalks after construction Place manhole cones and covers level with natural ground Restore preferred material and vegetation to disturbed areas in cooperation with County and County experts Discussion and Next Steps Public Input and Frequently Asked Questions • gus.georgetown.org Additional County Input Commissioners’ Comments Next Step - Public Hearing • December 18, 2018 during Commissioner’s Court Meeting • Finding from Commissioner’s Court per Parks and Wildlife Code Inputs Comments