Monthly Report Public Works Department – July, 2015

WATER – A total of 58,678,100 gallons of water were delivered, 37,767,000 gallons from Alder Creek treatment plant, 5,270,400 gallons from Brownell Springs and 15,640,700 gallons purchased from City of Portland. This is a new monthly record for water production. On July 6th,  the Oregon Water Resources Department required us to reduce the amount of water we take from Brownell Springs to about 90 gallons per minute due to low flow in Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek also supplies the Sandy Fish Hatchery. This has happened in the past, typically in September or October. However this is the earliest we have ever had to reduce withdrawal from the Springs. On the 30th treatment plant staff placed plastic sheeting on the upstream face of the wing dam to provide more water to the Alder Creek intake. 0.41 inches of rainfall were recorded at the treatment plant site during July.

WASTEWATER – A total of 33,100,000 gallons of sewage were treated and used for irrigation. Minimum flow was 0.95 MGD on the 2nd. Maximum flow was 1.24 MGD on the 26th.  A total of 0.42 inches of rainfall was recorded during July.  BOD concentration was 6.9 mg/l; BOD loading was 63 lbs; permit allows 10 mg/l and 125 lbs.; SS concentration was 10.5 mg/l; SS loading was 96 lbs.; permit allows 10 mg/l and 125 lbs.  Effluent permit loading and limits do not apply when treated wastewater is used for irrigation. These figures are shown to demonstrate treatment efficiency. Sludge processing began in June and sludge hauling started on July 7th. Twenty-one dry tons of sludge were processed in July and 41 dry tons were hauled and spread on local pasture land.  Clarifier No. 2 was drained for inspection and cleaning. The pumps at Marcy St.; Northside, Southside, Southeast, Southwest and Meinig Ave. lift stations ran a total of 203 hours with no significant problems. City crews doing routine sewer line cleaning discovered a FTTH conduit bored directly through an 8″ sewer main on Loundree Drive.  Fortunately, we discovered it before it could cause a backup and it was repaired on the 22nd.

STREETS – The street sweeping contractor spent 61 hours sweeping streets and collected more than 16 tons (22 cu. yds.) of debris, covering 212 lane miles. These totals include sweeping after the Mountain Festival parade.  A total of 9 tons of asphalt were used patching potholes and making street repairs in July. Considerable time was spent mowing weeds in City right-of-ways.

PARKS / OTHER – Irrigation demand stayed high with the continued dry and hot weather. After trying several alternatives we finally determined the irrigation pump for Sandy Bluff Park needed to be replaced. A new pump was ordered and will be installed in August. The new Parks Seasonal Worker position was filled and started work on July 1. The focus for this position has been to catch up on a backlog of work at all parks and and help prep and clean up Meinig Park before and after the Mountain Festival.