WATER – A total of 30,924,040 gallons of water were treated and delivered during the month. 12,141,000 gallons from Alder Creek treatment plant, 11,963,520 gallons from Brownell Springs and 6,819,520 gallons purchased from City of Portland. The Portland Water Bureau resumed delivery from the Bull Run system on March 15th after several consecutive non-detects for Cryptosporidium from this source. It took us a few days to get the transmission main and reservoir flushed out and back in service. Maximum day production was 1.07 MG on March 1st. 14.88 inches of rainfall were recorded at the water treatment plant site during the month. CH2M replaced some of the filter media in the large treatment unit at the water plant and repaired several valves and flow sensors to allow automatic operation of the large treatment unit during March. CH2M’s lab in Corvallis performed what we hope is the last round of testing on ascorbic acid to reduce chlorine residuals (and ultimately Disinfection Byproducts) in March. We expect the results back in early April. PW staff relocated some piping at Sandercock reservoir to bypass a leaking section of pipe underneath the reservoir. The old line was filled with concrete and the new connections should be completed in early April.

WASTEWATER – A total of 93,320,000 gallons of sewage were treated and discharged to Tickle Creek. This is the highest monthly flow total recorded at the plant, an average of over 3,000,000 gallons per day.  Minimum flow was 1.93 MGD on the 3rd. Maximum flow was 5.13 MGD on the 9th. Rainfall was 0.90 inches on the 8th and 0.75 inches on the 9th. A total of 12.10 inches of rainfall were recorded at the treatment plant site during March. BOD concentration was 7.0 mg/l; BOD loading was 152 lbs; permit allows 10 mg/l and 125 lbs.; SS concentration was 7.0 mg/l; SS loading was 209 lbs.; permit allows 10 mg/l and 125 lbs.  We exceeded the daily maximum and weekly average for lbs of suspended solids during the week of the 20th. No sludge was processed, hauled or spread during the month. The pumps at Marcy St.; Northside, Southside, Southeast, Southwest and Meinig Ave. lift stations ran a total of 1036 hours with no significant problems.

STREETS & STORM – The street sweeping contractor spent 58 hours sweeping streets and collected more than 26 tons (20 cu. yds.) of debris, covering 185 lane miles. We were able to make some small progress on patching potholes during the couple of days of dry weather we had in March.

PARKS, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS –  PB&G staff tried to keep up with spring mowing when the weather cooperated. The restrooms in Meinig Park were opened on good weather days during Spring Break. We advertised for the Seasonal Worker position and hope to have someone on board in April.