CHARLOTTE WATER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
September 17, 2015
Charlotte Water Advisory Committee met Thursday, September 17, 2015, 2:30 pm at 4222
Westmont Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Members Present:
Jim Duke, Pride Patton, Leslie Jones, Frank McMahan
Members Absent:
Ralph Messera, Ron Charbonneau
Staff Present:
Barry Gullet
Jennifer Frost
Chad Howell
Steve Miller
Carl Wilson
Regina Cousar
Director
Assistant to Director
Business Manager
Customer Service Manager
Chief Engineer
Continuous Improvement Officer
Safety Minute
How to avoid back injury
Minutes
A motion was made by Jim Duke, and seconded by Leslie Jones, to approve the July 2015
Minutes. Motion was approved.
Water Meter Replacement Upgrade
Charlotte Water is a nationally recognized award winning utility which serves the City of
Charlotte, surrounding towns and Mecklenburg County. The Utility currently treats and delivers
an average of more than 100,000,000 gallons/day of drinking water, while collecting and
recycling about 80,000,000 gallons/day of wastewater. Charlotte Water maintains over 270,000
metered accounts which serve over 1,000,000 people within a 550 square mile area. These
270,000 smart meters are read by drive-by technology. Collection of smart meter data requires a
mobile reader unit that will gather our residential, commercial and irrigation customer’s monthly
water usage as a single data point which is the basis for customer billing. The Water Meter
Upgrade Project was begun to optimize our meter reading to incorporate newer and future
technology. Various components of our current metering system are also projected to reach the
end of their full useful life in the next few years. Charlotte Water recognizes and understands the
need to plan and prepare for changing trends. Likewise, the Utility recognized the need to begin
to collect and integrate usage and leakage information into operation and maintenance of the
water distribution system.
In 2010 and 2011, the Utility explored new technologies with visits, research and pilot tests with
existing vendors and existing meters. In 2012, a RFI (Request for Information) was used as a tool
to develop a knowledge base and we have worked for 2 years to digest needs and possibilities
and to complete more study. In 2014, a long term strategy was developed by Charlotte Water
and a RFP (Request for Proposal) to support these efforts was released. Currently, an
independent review of responses by an external subject matter expert along with separate internal
reviews has been completed. In July 2015 there was an invitation to the selected candidates
Charlotte Water would like to continue with to participate in demonstration days for further
clarification as the evaluation process proceeds. Negotiations are now underway with the
selected vendors.
Drought Status & Forecast
Regional conditions are not improving and we continue to be in Stage 1 of the Catawba-Wateree
Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). The Drought monitor maps show the Southeast trending toward
deeper drought classification compared to a month ago. The lake level storage index and
streamflow are likely to reach Stage 2 threshold of the LIP sometime during September or by
October 1st unless significant rainfall occurs by then Stage 2 will have some impactful challenges
(mandatory water use restrictions) however Charlotte Water staff have been meeting regularly to
plan and prepare proper protocol in case these changes do occur.
Water Quality Issue Update
During a recent quarterly water sampling, Charlotte Water staff detected elevated levels of
disinfection by-products known as Trihalomethanes (THMs) in some locations. Formation of
THMs is increased when precursors exist in the raw water supply and when water temperature e
and water age are higher. The concentration of one precursor (bromide) has increased due to
operational changes made by Duke Energy and perhaps other factors. The hot summer has
increased water temperatures and the drought has limited the flow of water through the lake
system which could have potentially reduced the bromide concentration. Those factors have
pushed THM concentrations in the water distribution system to higher than normal levels. Duke
Energy has reversed their changed operations that lead to the higher bromide levels.
Multiple implementations of proactive measures have been implemented to manage THM levels
including decreasing the volume of water stored in elevated water tanks, strategically flushing
water through hydrants, optimizing existing treatment processes within the plans and planning a
new treatment process that lowers the pH of drinking water to reduce THM formation by up to
40 percent. The highest numbers of THM’s have been in water produced at our Dukes Water
Treatment Plant. Charlotte Water is considering installing aerators at the Dukes WTP which
could lower the concentrations of THMs. It is uncertain if this work could be completed in time
to benefit water quality this season. As of the first week in August Charlotte Water is in
compliance with the annual average requirements. The next regulatory samples are due in
November.
Project Update
BioSolids Management RFP - A biosolids management master plan was completed recently and
has been previously presented to the Advisory Committee. The next step is to perform a more
detailed market analysis and preliminary engineering related to implementing recommendations
from the master plan. Charlotte Water will soon be issuing a Request for Proposals for
engineering and professional services to perform this work.
PCB – Charlotte Water staff met with NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
(formerly NC DENR) and EPA staff to continue conversations surrounding PCB contamination
cleanup. EPA staff has been extremely complimentary with the effort Charlotte Water staff has
maintained when dealing with the aftermath of PCB contamination issues. Charlotte Water’s
recent procurement process for a cleanup contractor did not result in a selection due to issues
with the responses from the proposers. The procurement process is being adjusted to prevent a
recurrence and a new RFP will be issued.
Sugar Creek WWTP Upgrade - Sugar Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant was built in the
1920’s. The purpose of the proposal will be to upgrade and replace old equipment giving the
plant the ability to have nutriment removals. Charlotte Water plans to use a Construction
Manager at Risk project delivery method which will be the topic of further discussion with
Advisory during next month’s meeting.
Private System Acquisition – On Monday, June 22, 2015, Charlotte City Council approved a
proposal to acquire three privately owned water systems in the Mint Hill area. Residents and
Mint Hill officials have requested the Utility’s service due to persistent water quality issues, fire
protection, and to maintain cost effectiveness throughout the community. Charlotte Water would
like to review policies and practices around future private system acquisition over the upcoming
year. The private owner of these systems is required to get approval of the terms and conditions
of the sale by the N.C. Utilities Commission. Once that approval is obtained, the transfer to
Charlotte Water can take place.
Developer Fee Implementation - A budget proposal was approved to begin implementing a
process that will allow Charlotte Water to charge and collect fees from building developers. In
the next few months Charlotte Water would like to discuss this process with the Advisory
Committee.
Meeting Adjourned – 3:45
TGN