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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Nutrient Reducation Feasibility Study RESOLUTION NO. 19-062 RESOLUTION APPROVING STAFF TO SUBMIT THE AMES NUTRIENT REDUCTION FEASIBILITY STUDY TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE CITY OF AMES WHEREAS,the State of Iowa adopted the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy in early 2013; and, WHEREAS, approximately 150 of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the state, both municipal and industrial,are being required to develop a course of action that will lead towards a reduction in their nutrient discharges; and, WHEREAS,no new NPDES Discharge Permit has been issued and the obligation to perform a nutrient reduction feasibility study has not formally been imposed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; however, the City chose to perform the evaluation now; and, WHEREAS,the City had a concern about the remaining life of the trickling filter media that has four filters that are packed with corrugated plastic sheeting that provides a surface for the waste- consuming bacteria to attach and grow; and, WHEREAS,the plastic modular media is original to the Plant construction and has been in service for 29 years and the media has an assumed life of 20-30 years; and, WHEREAS,on April 24,2018,Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to HDR Engineers to conduct the feasibility study for the Ames Water Pollution Control Facility; and, WHEREAS,the final recommendation from the study was that the City should pursue a two- track approach to meet the goals of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy; and, WHEREAS, the first track is to modify the Water Pollution Control Facility to achieve the targeted 67% reduction in Total Nitrogen and 75% reduction in Total Phosphorus, with the implementation being phased-in over a period of 20 years at a total estimated cost of$39.6 million; and, WHEREAS,the second track is to pursue watershed-based Best Management Practices(such as wetlands,buffer strips, cover crops, steam bank stabilization, and similar land practices); and, WHEREAS, once the report has been reviewed and accepted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources,the recommendations included in the first track will be incorporated into future NPDES Permits for the Ames Water Pollution Control Facility; and, WHEREAS, the final report has been drafted in such a way that the City is not making an irrevocable commitment to the second track and is not agreeing to their inclusion as a mandatory element in future NPDES Permits. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that Water Pollution Control Facility staff is hereby authorized to submit the Ames Nutrient Reduction Feasibility Study Final Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. ADOPTED THIS 26`'' day of February, 2019. ca Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John . Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Gartin Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26t'day of February, 2019.