2007 Projects
New Reservoir Project
This major improvements project consists of construction of a new 2.5 – 3.0 million gallon reservoir located on property adjacent to Hillcrest and Harmony northwest of the Oak Street Pump Station. The new reservoir was recommended by Burns & McDonnell based on evaluations contained in the Distribution Storage and Pump Stations Improvements Study completed in 2005. The additional storage is designed to meet maximum day demand by increasing the current low pressure zone storage of 6.0 million gallons by 50%.
Upgrade Information System
The Council Bluffs Water Works (CBWW) system will be positioned to provide support to a client data base which will grow beyond 20,000 customers as the population and business expansion continues to grow. The information systems provide Customer Service, Accounting, Maintenance and Administration functions as part of an integrated system with tools readily available to look up information and manage accounts as needed. The future information system will provide features and functionality which allow CBWW to be more efficient and effective in providing both the highest quality customer service and water utility services. In moving to the new information system, the customer base will benefit through new service offerings and CBWW will benefit through efficiency, flexibility and control.
Filter Controllers Project
Existing Controllers were installed in 1984 to control and monitor finished water filters. Currently, control of effluent water flow valves and backwash cycling is done at each filter console. Process meters display effluent flow, filter head loss, turbidity, desired target flow, effluent and backwash valve position. Proposed upgrade will install a computerized integrated process control system. The new SCADA System will centralize filter process data into the treatment plant’s control room. Filter operation capability at each filter console would remain intact to allow for computer or telemetry failure.
MXU Installation Project
This is a continuation of our conversion of water meter remote readers to the MXU (Meter Transceiver Unit) device. MXU’s are radio read unites, read by a Sensus Auto Vehicle Transmitter Unit which saves the data to a file on a laptop computer in the vehicle. Meters can be read more efficiently and faster. A radio read route can be read in less than one hour whereas a standard route requires a meter reader to walk to every home, which can take up to 5 hours. We began installing MXU’s in 1992 and currently, or 5,689 of our 20,689 accounts have radio reads. This expenditure will allow us to convert another 900 meters additional meters to MXU devices.
Geographical Information Map System Project
We are currently in the process of converting our current map books and CAD drawings into a geospatial database. This geospatial database would allow the Distribution Department to easily locate via GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) as well as identify potential problem areas in the Distribution System. In addition, the GIS (Geographic Information System) will enable the Distribution Department to maintain the Distribution System and provide easy access to the location of our assets in the field via the use of laptops and ArcPad readers. The goal for the year is to spatially locate valves, hydrants and mains. This would enable the Distribution Department to efficiently locate our assets in the field, reducing the number of man hours in the field.
New Reservoir Feeder Main Project
To supply the new reservoir a new 16-inch ductile-iron pipe will tie into the existing 16-inch main located near the intersection of Kanesville and Frank Street. This main will extend to the north along Harmony Street to the reservoir site.
South 13th Street (28th Ave. to 24th Ave. and 28th Ave.; South 13th St. West to Indian Creek)
The Public Works Department proposes to replace the sanitary sewer from the 28th Avenue lift station to 13th Street and then north on 13th Street to 24th Avenue. Because the sewer trench will be very wide the existing 12″ water main will be exposed. Due to age (50 – 60 years) and type of material (cast iron) the main will be subject to breakage.
South 31st Street (2nd Ave. to 6th Ave.)
This main was installed circa 1949 and was installed in close proximity to the sanitary sewer. To allow the City to replace the sanitary sewer the 12″ water main must be relocated.
Locust Lodge (North Broadway through Cul De Sac)
Renewal of this 8″ water main, will be part of joint project with the Public Works Department that will replace all infrastructure and renew the street.
Fire Hydrant Painting Project
Fire Hydrants are one of our assets that are seen every day by the public. The exterior condition of most of our hydrants is poor. We propose to sand blast, prime, finish and clear coat each hydrant. Since we have nearly 2,700 hydrants this will be a multi-year program. We propose to complete 350 – 450 hydrants each year and start with hydrants in the downtown area and main arterial streets.