The Document Below Reviews the Environmental Impact Likely from a Project
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Why You Should Read This: The document below reviews the environmental impact likely from a project. This project is planned to be federally funded through your tax dollars; therefore, you are entitled to take part in its review. If you have concerns about the environmental impact of this project, raise them now. We encourage public input in this decision making process. IOWA STATE REVOLVING FUND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT May 19, 2020 To: All Interested Citizens, Government Agencies, and Public Groups An environmental review has been performed based on the procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the proposed agency action below: Applicant: City of Wellsburg SRF Number: CS1920923 01 County: Grundy Iowa DNR Project Number: S2014-0285A State: Iowa Other Federal Funding: CDBG ($300,000) The City of Wellsburg, Iowa is planning an upgrade to their wastewater treatment infrastructure. The city has applied for financial assistance through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program to build the project. The State Revolving Loan Program is a program authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with the Iowa Finance Authority. The City of Wellsburg is located in Grundy County, Iowa approximately 30 miles west of Waterloo, Iowa and 40 miles northeast of Ames, Iowa. The population of Wellsburg according to the 2010 US Census was 707. The design population equivalent for the year 2038 is 714. The City’s WWTP is an aerated lagoon constructed in approximately 1988. The WWTP is located on the west side of the City. The existing WWTP is not located in the flood plain. Influent wastewater flows through a 12-inch and 15-inch diameter gravity mains to the main lift station where it is then pumped to the inlet control structure. The main lift station has two submersible pumps; The capacity of these pumps is believed to be 472 gpm. From the inlet structure flow is directed to Cell FNSI Page 2 City of Wellsburg CS1920923 01 1 and then flows to Cell 2. Both Cell 1 and Cell 2 are aerated. Flow from Cell 2 flows into the quiescent cell. Aeration is not provided in the quiescent zone to allow solids to settle. Both Cells 1 and 2 have a normal water depth of 10 feet and a volume of approximately 3.09 million gallons (MG) each. The quiescent cell has a normal water depth of 10 feet and a volume of approximately 0.479 MG. Appendix 3 shows a plan view of the existing WWTP. The treated effluent is discharged from the quiescent cell through a 15-inch diameter outfall line to an Unnamed Creek which then flows into another Unnamed Creek which then drains to South Beaver Creek and then ultimately drains into Beaver Creek near Parkersburg, Iowa. Each stream segment in Iowa has a specific designation to protect recreational use and aquatic life. (Wastewater System Facility Plan for the City of Wellsburg, IA, Fehr Graham (November, 2018)). The wastewater collection system primarily consists of 6”, 8”, 10”, 12” and 15” gravity sewer mains, 1 lift station, and 6-inch and 8-inch force mains. The lift station is in good condition and consists of a 9-foot diameter concrete wet well with 2 submersible pumps and a 5-foot diameter concrete valve vault that also includes an air release valve. Two 6” discharge pipes from the pumps discharge the wastewater into either a 6” or 8” force main. The force main is valved in such a manner that through gate valves, either pump can discharge to either the 6” or 8” force main. From here, wastewater travels to the wastewater treatment plant and discharges to the flow splitter structure. As is typical with most collection systems, some infiltration and inflow (I&I) enters the system, especially during wet periods. Infiltration is water other than wastewater (typically groundwater) that enters the collection system over an extended period of time. Examples of infiltration are defective pipe joints or broken pipes/mains, leaking manhole joints, leaky service lines, and illegal connections to the main such as tile around building footings. Inflow is water other than wastewater and infiltration (typically rainwater runoff) that enters the collection system during a rainfall event and usually lasts the length of the rainfall event and a short period after. Examples of inflow include roof drains or sump pumps connected directly to the collection system, cracked or leaky manhole covers, storm sewer drains connected directly to the collection system, and floor drains from leaky basements. The majority of these connections with the exception of floor drains are considered illegal connections. The city embarked on an I&I project in 2013 that consisted of removing and replacing approximately 2,817 linear feet of sewer main with 8-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and lined approximately 5,575 linear feet of sewer main with cured-in place sanitary sewer lining. Because of these improvements, only data from 2014 and on was used for flows so only current I&I was identified. The lowest monthly average wastewater flow was 0.0023 MGD which works out to 33 gallons per capita per day (gpcpd). The overall average flow is 0.099 MGD (143 gpcpd), and the highest monthly average flow was 0.237 MGD (342 gpcpd). The maximum daily flow was 0.917 MGD (1.323 gpcpd). A normal design value for wet weather flow in a new system is 100 gpcpd. 2 INVESTING IN IOWA’S WATER www.iowasrf.com FNSI Page 3 City of Wellsburg CS1920923 01 City staff have reported the need to bypass raw wastewater to a ditch to prevent basement backups. Overall, I&I is still an issue and needs to continue to put forth effort into eliminating sources of I&I. (Wastewater System Facility Plan for the City of Wellsburg, IA, Fehr Graham (November, 2018)) The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, to enhance their reliability, comply with the NPDES permit, increase capacity, and to safely and reliably operate the City of Wellsburg’s wastewater system for the next 20 years. The proposed project includes adding a submerged attached growth reactor (SAGR) system following the existing aerated lagoons to improve ammonia removal, upgrade of the existing lift station, and adding ultraviolet disinfection to meet E. Coli limits. The treated wastewater from the proposed facility will discharge to Unnamed Creek, tributary to South Beaver Creek. It has a use stream designation of A2, B(WW-2). A2 waters are those in which water recreation uses involve incidental or accidental contact with the water, where the probability of ingesting water is minimal, such as fishing and shoreline activities. Positive environmental effects will be improved treatment of the wastewater from the City of Wellsburg, compliance with effluent discharge permit limits including E. Coli and Ammonia, and improved water quality in the receiving stream. Positive environmental effects will be improved treatment of the wastewater from the City of Wellsburg, compliance with effluent discharge permit limits including E. Coli and Ammonia, and improved water quality in the receiving stream. The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of population. The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies. The project will not impact wetlands. The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats. If any State- or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies and/or mitigation may be required. The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or convert significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes. The project will not affect the 100-year flood plain provided the terms of the state flood plain development permit and local flood plain development permit are abided by. The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands, or areas of recognized scenic or recreational value. No Historic Properties will be adversely affected by the proposed project. However, if project activities uncover any item(s) that might be of archaeological, historical, or architectural interest, or if important new archaeological, historical, or architectural data should be encountered in the project APE, the applicant should make reasonable efforts to avoid further impacts to the property until an assessment can be made by an individual meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualifications standards (36 CFR Part 61). The project will 3 INVESTING IN IOWA’S WATER www.iowasrf.com FNSI Page 4 City of Wellsburg CS1920923 01 not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality provided the applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project (567 IAC 23.3(2)“c”). The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels, surface water quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply. No significant impact to surface water quality, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected provided that an NPDES General Permit Number 2 (for storm water discharge associated with construction activities) is obtained and the terms of which are abided by. Minimum separation distances will be maintained. Noise during construction will be maintained at tolerable levels through controls on construction activities. Any construction debris will be removed from the site for proper disposal. Adverse environmental effects from construction activities will be minimized with proper construction practices, inspection, prompt clean up and other appropriate measures.