5.3.
Public Works Committee
- Meeting Date:
- 10/20/2020
- By:
- Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works
Title:
Consider Recommendation to City Council Authorizing Requests for Quotes for America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation to City Council authorizing Requests for Quotes for America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Background:
On October 23, 2018, America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law, amending numerous provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A copy of the AWIA bill is attached for reference, as is a summary fact sheet.
The SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. The SDWA does not regulate private wells. The SDWA authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. More information on the SDWA is contained in the attached 4 page summary.
The AWIA also amended the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The revisions to EPCRA require that community water systems (1) receive prompt notification of any reportable release of an EPCRA extremely hazardous substance (EHS) or a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance (HS) that potentially affects their source water, and (2) have access to EPCRA Tier II information (i.e., hazardous chemical inventory data). These requirements went into effect immediately upon signing the law.
The AWIA is a federal law that requires community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRA’s) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP’s). The law specifies the components that the RRA’s and ERP’s must address, and establishes deadlines by which water systems must certify to the US EPA completion of the RRA and ERP. These community water systems, or utilities, must:
Below is a table showing the AWIA compliance deadlines, which is based on population served by the community water system, or utility.
The City of Ramsey must comply with the AWIA by June 30, 2021 (RRA) and December 30, 2021 (ERP). If the City does not certify that it has complied with the AIWA by these deadlines, the US EPA can initiate enforcement actions and assess a penalty of up to $25,000 per day for non-compliance.
Staff therefore plans to present a case to the City Council on October 27th requesting approval to solicit quotes from qualified consultants to assist the City in complying with the AWIA by the required deadlines.
The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation to City Council authorizing Requests for Quotes for America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Background:
On October 23, 2018, America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law, amending numerous provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A copy of the AWIA bill is attached for reference, as is a summary fact sheet.
The SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. The SDWA does not regulate private wells. The SDWA authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. More information on the SDWA is contained in the attached 4 page summary.
The AWIA also amended the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The revisions to EPCRA require that community water systems (1) receive prompt notification of any reportable release of an EPCRA extremely hazardous substance (EHS) or a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance (HS) that potentially affects their source water, and (2) have access to EPCRA Tier II information (i.e., hazardous chemical inventory data). These requirements went into effect immediately upon signing the law.
The AWIA is a federal law that requires community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRA’s) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP’s). The law specifies the components that the RRA’s and ERP’s must address, and establishes deadlines by which water systems must certify to the US EPA completion of the RRA and ERP. These community water systems, or utilities, must:
- Conduct a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA)
- Prepare or revise an Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
- Submit a certification letter upon completion to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for each (RRA and ERP)
- Review, update, revise as necessary and submit a recertification for both at least every 5 years thereafter
- Maintain records (keep copies of RRA and ERP and any updates for 5 years after certification submittal)
Below is a table showing the AWIA compliance deadlines, which is based on population served by the community water system, or utility.
The City of Ramsey must comply with the AWIA by June 30, 2021 (RRA) and December 30, 2021 (ERP). If the City does not certify that it has complied with the AIWA by these deadlines, the US EPA can initiate enforcement actions and assess a penalty of up to $25,000 per day for non-compliance.
Staff therefore plans to present a case to the City Council on October 27th requesting approval to solicit quotes from qualified consultants to assist the City in complying with the AWIA by the required deadlines.
Timeframe:
Staff estimates approximately 10 minutes will be required for presentation and discussion of this case.
Observations/Alternatives:
Observations:
Several qualified consultants have already contacted the City to inquire if the City needs assistance with this effort. Staff intends to submit Requests for Quotes to these consultants, as well as to other qualified consultants, in an attempt to receive at least three quotes.
Alternatives:
Alternative #1: Motion to recommend City Council authorization to solicit Requests for Quotes from qualified consultants to comply with the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Alternative #2: Motion of other.
Several qualified consultants have already contacted the City to inquire if the City needs assistance with this effort. Staff intends to submit Requests for Quotes to these consultants, as well as to other qualified consultants, in an attempt to receive at least three quotes.
Alternatives:
Alternative #1: Motion to recommend City Council authorization to solicit Requests for Quotes from qualified consultants to comply with the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Alternative #2: Motion of other.
Funding Source:
Staff anticipates costs for the required work to be $25,000 or less.
All costs are proposed to be paid from Water funds.
All costs are proposed to be paid from Water funds.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends alternative #1.
Action:
Motion to recommend City Council authorization to solicit Requests for Quotes from qualified consultants to comply with the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Riemer | Grant Riemer | 10/15/2020 02:03 PM |
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 10/15/2020 02:28 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Bruce Westby
- Started On:
- 10/09/2020 04:12 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/15/2020