Inframark WTP Report
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Ebensburg Municipal Authority: March 2025 WTP Monthly Report
Date: April 28, 2025 Prepared by: Luke Byrne, Project Manager
Executive Summary & Operations
During March 2025, the Ebensburg water treatment plant (WTP) treated a total of 39,456,000 gallons of reservoir water. This represents an average daily production of 1,272,774 gallons, which is a significant increase of 124,709 gallons per day compared to the same period last year.
- Water Sourcing: An average of 122,234 gallons per day was purchased from Saltlick and blended into the distribution system. This higher-than-normal volume was due to excessive water loss in the system.
- Storm Damage: On March 15, a powerful storm with high winds caused a large tree to fall on WTP powerlines. The top of the utility pole broke, and power was shut off by Penelec on Saturday evening due to safety hazards. Staff switched to generator power and manned the plant around the clock until Penelec restored grid power on Monday, March 17.
- Equipment Maintenance:
- The Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit was taken offline to repair a rubber scraper and install oil drain lines on all mixers. The work is complete, allowing future oil changes without taking the unit offline.
- A shorted wire in an underground conduit filled with water caused a loss of communication with the raw water meter on March 5. A temporary outlet was installed to restore auto-running, and Dodson Electric is scheduled to install new conduit and weatherproof boxes.
- Inframark staff installed two new LED lights in the generator room on the second floor.
- Filter Evaluation: A quarterly evaluation of filter #2 was performed. The troughs, filter media, and air scour system were found to be in excellent condition with no deficiencies or anomalies.
- Reservoir Levels: The upper reservoir water level is increasing due to recent precipitation and is currently at -3. 5 ft.
- Pumping Stations: Regular inspections were conducted. Several inches of water leaked into the Ogden vault from rain and snowmelt, which was removed using a sump pump. Inframark attended a pre-bid meeting for Ogden tank site improvements. All pumps/motors were greased, and stations were swept and cleaned. Two leaks in the distribution system were reported to the public works director.
Compliance & Monitoring
- Monthly Operating Report (MOR): Approximately 10 pages of data, compiled from over 20,000 points collected by operators and the SCADA system, were submitted to the PA DEP.
- Bacteriological Samples: Nine samples were collected as required by state regulations. Zero samples tested positive for total coliform.
- Chlorine Levels: Four samples were collected in March (one per week minimum). All four met or exceeded the required minimum of 0. 20mg/L free chlorine.
- Water Loss Study: Inframark submitted a study/plan (dated 12-20-22) to the PA DEP detailing historical water loss and plans to address unaccounted-for water. A response from the PA DEP is pending.
- Instrument Calibration: Online and lab instrumentation were calibrated to meet PA DEP requirements. Comparative grab samples were collected to ensure the accuracy of continuous chlorine analyzers, turbidimeters, and pH analyzers.
- Clearwell Monitoring: Water quality in the clearwell is monitored for all compliance compounds and secondary contaminants.
Maintenance & Repair
Inframark staff completed 75 work orders in March. Key activities included:
- Fire extinguisher and ladder inspections.
- Sump pumps exercised.
- Raw meter electrical repairs.
- Generator room lights installed.
- DAF lightning mixer oil changes.
- DAF air saturation adjustments.
- Lagoon vault cleaning and float adjustments.
- Eye wash/safety shower inspections.
- Grease clarifier drives and cleaned clarifier troughs.
- Chlorine room alarm test.
- Finished water pumps/motors greased and alternated.
- pH and turbidity meters cleaned weekly.
- Jar testing to optimize chemical usage, manganese levels, and reservoir turnover.
- DAF sump level sensor verifications.
- Filter bed expansion monitored.
- Snow removal and salting of walkways.
- General facility cleaning.
Financial Update
Maintenance Expenditures:
| Vendor | Expense | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $215. 58 | Oil pump/pipe cutters |
| APPLIED IND TECH | $1,498. 05 | Raw water valve solenoids/DAF wash valve |
| Tractor Supply | $537. 93 | Diesel fuel tank |
| VEVOR | $180. 74 | Fuel tank pump |
| Long Barn | $94. 00 | DAF oil drains/mixer piping |
| eBay | $230. 66 | DVR replacement |
| Austin Surplus | $1,236. 59 | Aeration rapid mixer assembly |
| Lubrication Engineers | $774. 32 | DAF food grade mixer oil |
Caps for WTP:
| Category | Contract Total per Year | Previous Balance | Total Spent This Month | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Cap | $25,950. 84 | $21,633. 32 | $4,767. 87 | $16,865. 45 |
| Chemical Cap | $93,423. 12 | $76,743. 67 | $22,254. 78 | $54,488. 89 |
Health & Safety
- There were no accidents in March.
- Personnel have worked 1,886 days (5 years and 3 months) without an accident or injury.
- Training & Presentations: Weekly tailgate meetings, vehicle safety, securing loads, and CCR Data review.
Personnel
| Name | Title | Operator Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Smiley | Operator | PA Class A, E, Subclass 1,10,11,12 |
| Tony Perott | Operator | PA Class C, E, Water Subclass 1,6,7,8,12 |
| Matthew Hull | Operator in Training | Training for PA DEP exam |
| Shawn Jones | Operator in Training | Training for PA DEP exam |
| Luke Byrne | Project Manager | PA Class A, E, Water Subclass 1,7,8,10,11,12; PA Class A, E, Wastewater |