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Town of Kennebunk

REPORT OF THE KENNEBUNK SEWER DISTRICT

You may download the 2010 Audit Report by following this link.

The Kennebunk Sewer District is a quasi-municipal entity that was incorporated by an act of the Maine State Legislature in 1955. Office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The District is governed by an elected Board of Trustees serving staggered three year terms. The Board meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the District offices located at 71 Water Street in Kennebunk. For more information on the District, please visit our website at www.ksdistrict.org .

The following report briefly summarizes several areas of the District's operational and administrative accomplishments over the past year based on information collected over the course of 2010. For some of these categories, the goals and projections for the year 2011 and beyond are included.
ADMINISTRATION

Billing
For the four quarters in 2010, the following amounts were billed to the customers of the KSD:

Quarter Billed Collected % Collected
1st Quarter $530,810 $554,597 104%
2nd Quarter $536,847 $517,561 96%
3rd Quarter $537,692 $523,925 97% 4th Quarter $537,864 $540,100 100%
Totals $2,143,213 $2,136,183 99.67%

Liens
Liens for a total of $48,472.84 were filed for delinquent customers on their 2009 charges. The number of delinquent accounts with 2008 and prior liens presently stands at 11 ($6,067.20) with a total outstanding balance of all liens at $31,739.91.

Equity Buy In Fees & Impact Fees
On April 1, 2010 Equity Buy In Fees were phased in and Facility Impact Fees were phased out. As of December 31, 2010, 7 impact fees and 21 Equity Buy In Fees were collected in 2010 by KSD for a total of $10,405.78 and $69,666.85 respectively. This compares with 29 impact fees collected in 2009 for a total of $133,785.69. The total that the District has in the impact fee and Equity Buy In Fee account is currently $1,239,441.74. Below is a summary of impact fees collected over the past 10 years.

Year # Impact Fees Total Collected
2010 28 $ 80,072.63
2009 29 $ 133,785.69
2008 18 $ 42,168.05
2007 45 $ 241,635.93
2006 32 $ 127,332.33
2005 33 $ 122,294.08
2004 30 $ 79,051.16
2003 46 $ 225,412.51
2002 37 $ 100,092.32
2001 33 $ 127,714.40

10 Year Totals: 331 $ 1,279,559.10

Capital Reserve Account - balance as of 12/31/10 = $788,810.62
Equity Buy In Fee Account – balance as of 12/31/10 = $69,666.85

Sewer Permits and New Customers
In 2010, 21 sewer connection permits were issued and 22 accounts added to the customer base. This compares with 25 and 72 respectively for the same period in 2009.

2011 Sewer User Fees, Equity Buy In Fees, Collection System Impact Fees & Budget

The Board of Trustees plans to hold a Rate Hearing on March 1, 2011 to set 2011 rates and fees. An adjustment to the current user fees is being considered for 2011. As proposed, an average user with 6,000 ft3 of water used will see a decrease of approximately 3%. The projected budget for 2011 is $2,130,961, slightly down from the 2010 budget of $2,179,687.

As is the case yearly, the Board is also proposing to increase the base Collection System Impact Fee charge by 3.6% to match the increase in the Construction Cost Index as published by the Engineering News Record. In 2006 and 2007, the Board of Trustees established Collection System Impact Fees that are collected from new and expanded uses in certain drainage areas throughout the District’s service area. Monies are placed in separate accounts and will be dedicated towards improvements in each specific collection system necessitated by growth. Currently there are Collection System Impact Fees set for the Turnpike Industrial Zone, Route 1 North, and Route 1 South areas. In 2010, they were $1,985, $72 and $109 per equivalent unit respectively. An increase of 3.6% will be considered and, if adopted, those Collection System Impact Fees would increase to $2,056, $75 and $113 per equivalent unit respectively.

In the fall of 2008, the Board hired Wright Pierce Engineers to review the existing rate structure of the Treatment Facility Impact Fee and to explore alternative approaches to help provide for the District’s future capital needs. As discussions developed the Equity Buy-In Fee (EBIF) method was chosen to replace the existing Facility Impact Fee. The idea behind the fee is based on the fact that the District’s customers have been paying for the capital cost of unused capacity in the system for many years, and that new users should “buy into” the equity that has been developed in the District’s system and paid for by existing users.

Like Impact Fees, Equity Buy-In Fees are one time charges for new construction or changes of use that result in more wastewater discharged to the public sewer. Funds collected will be used to help defray the costs of future upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility and collection systems. In 2010 the Board of Trustees set the base rate of the Equity Buy-In Fee at $2,816. In 2011 the Board hired Wright-Pierce Engineers to recalculate the EBIF based on the most recent KSD audit information. Based on this calculation, the EBIF for 2011 will increase by 4.6%, from $2,816 to $2,947 for the base charge. From the base Equity Buy-In Fee charge all other Equity Buy-In Fees for various classifications are determined.

For more detailed information regarding the 2010 Financial Statements of the Kennebunk Sewer District, please visit our website: www.ksdistrict.org.

OPERATIONS

Biosolids Production and Disposal
In 2010, the Kennebunk Sewer District produced approximately 900yds3 of de-watered biosolids. Commencing June 1, 2007, KSD began a new 5 year contract with Soil Preparation Inc. (SPI) for the handling of all KSD biosolids. KSD and a group of six other communities and districts made a request for proposals, reviewed the proposals, and negotiated with SPI for biosolids services at considerable savings. In 2011, the KSD expects to produce between 1,000 and 1,100 yds3 of sludge.

I&I Program
For more than 15 years, the District has focused on removing as much clean water that enters its collection system as is economically feasible. Technically known as infiltration and inflow or I&I, this excess clean water robs capacity from the collection systems and treatment facility. KSD each year targets areas within its collection system that will be repaired or replaced to remove additional I&I.

The results have paid off over the years by significantly reducing the number of bypass events at the treatment facilities. In 2010, KSD used its stormwater clarifier 19 times to treat storm water. The high number was due to receiving nearly 25 inches of rainfall over a 5 week period spanning from late February to April 1, 2010. Below is a table of KSD stormwater clarifier activity over the past ten years. Overall, our records indicate that rainfall for 2010 has been well above average at 64.46 inches, while the yearly average rainfall for Portland is 46 inches.

Year Number of Events
2010 19
2009 0
2008 6
2007 5
2006 6
2005 20
2004 1
2003 0
2002 0
2001 18

Treatment Plant
Overall, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, KSD treated 281 million gallons of water for a daily average of .760 million gallons per day (mgd) compared to 300.9 million gallons of water for a daily average of .810 million gallons per day (mgd) for the same time period in 2009. Looking at this strictly as an average and the design of the plant being 1.31 mgd, the plant ran at 58% of its hydraulic capacity on an average day in 2010. In addition, the plant was designed to treat 2,576 pounds per day BOD. Below are the average hydraulic and organic loadings for each year going back to 2001.

Year Ave. Flow % Cap BOD Loading % Design
2010 .760 mgd 58% 1,238 lbs/day 48%
2009 .810 mgd 62% 1,499 lbs./day 58%
2008 .860 mgd 66% 1,399 lbs./day 54%
2007 .770 mgd 59% 1,458 lbs./day 57%
2006 1.00 mgd 76% 1,459 lbs./day 57%
2005 1.00 mgd 76% 1,284 lbs./day 50%
2004 .777 mgd 59% 1,321 lbs./day 51%
2003 .810 mgd 62% 1,392 lbs./day 54%
2002 .720 mgd 55% 1,425 lbs./day 55%
2001 .710 mgd 54% 1,346 lbs./day 52%

Design Review and Inspection Monitoring of Developments
The Kennebunk Sewer District customer base growth has decreased during 2010 to less than 1%. This rate is down from the historical 2% average per year. In light of the economic downturn and using a realistic outlook for 2011, a 1% growth for rate is expected. Large scale commercial development and multiple housing projects that have already begun are continuing but future planning and construction of multiple housing projects, such as affordable housing, special needs apartments and condominiums have taken a sharp downturn. Those developments/projects reviewed and/or inspected in 2010 were:

1. Lexington Court - KSD reviewed the design and inspected the construction of this 22-condominium subdivision on Cat Mousam Road. Brex Corporation did the site work for the subdivision including storm drainage and sanitary sewer installation. As part of the project, Brex replaced a manhole on Cat Mousam Road where the new development ties into KSD’s system.
2. Park Street School – KSD has reviewed the revised design for this renovation project. Similar to the Cousens School project in 2008, the Park Street School is slated for conversion into condominiums.
3. Scotsmans Brook/Nason Court Sewer Main – This Town project was inspired by the floods experienced during the Patriots Day Storm in 2007. The Town hired Brex Corporation to install a 5-foot diameter pipe through the downtown area to reroute the brook. The contractor resumed installation in the spring starting at the Village Pharmacy. From there, Brex installed the new pipe to Nason Court, across Main Street and along Bourne Street up to Scotsmans Brook. During this phase of the project, the contractor installed a new sanitary sewer line for KSD along Nason Court. This new line also crossed Route 1 to the existing sewer main in front of Xtra Mart. The new sewer line redirected the flow from Main Street so that KSD could abandon the 100-year old pipe at the corner of Bourne and Main Streets. KSD’s project helped the Town and the contractor by removing a utility that was in conflict with the new 5-foot concrete pipe.
4. Sea Grass Lane – This sewer extension is a bit unique because it will extend to an existing neighborhood. The sewer line will allow the neighbors to expand these homes which are located at the mouth of Gooch Creek and the Kennebunk River. Some innovations of the project included construction of more dunes to augment the dune system at the shore. KSD continued to inspect the project which carried over from 2009.

2010 CAPITAL PROJECTS

The following is a list and short summary of the capital improvement projects that were started and/or completed in 2010.

1. Bourne Street Sewer Replacement – KSD hired Foglio, Inc. to replace part of the Bourne Street sewer line in anticipation of the Town’s Scotsmans Brook project. The Bourne Street sewer was made of clay and installed 100 years ago. A portion of the pipe was lined in the 1990s as part of the Park Square expansion project. KSD was concerned about the integrity of the unlined sections of pipe with the new 5-foot diameter Scotsmans Brook pipe getting installed next to the sewer line. Therefore, KSD replaced the section by the KKWWD driveway, past the brook to the next manhole. KSD also abandoned a section from the Xtra Mart driveway to the corner of Main Street as part of the Scotsmans Brook project.
2. Clarifier Coating – KSD’s treatment system includes four clarifiers, two primary and two are secondary units. These 50-foot diameter tanks allow time for the solids to settle out of the wastewater and clarify the water. These solids become sludge and the clarified wastewater continues to flow to the next part of the process. This year, KSD hired Marston Industrial Group to coat the interior metal parts and launders of two of the clarifiers. Marston also coated the exterior of all four clarifiers and the exterior of the Control Building. Next year, KSD will coat the interior of the other two clarifiers.
3. HVAC Upgrade – KSD is currently undergoing an upgrade of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The project team includes KSD personnel, Curt Bartram, PE (HVAC Engineer), Results Engineering, Inc. for controls, CGH Electric, W.H. Demmons for mechanical work, and Harriman Associates for testing, balancing and commissioning the new system. This project includes replacing four air handling units with industrial-grade energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). The ERVs are larger and more efficient units that will provide the necessary ventilation to various parts of the treatment facility. KSD will also upgrade the HVAC controls system so that it will be fully integrated with the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
4. The PDF Mitigation Project - This project was undertaken with help from FEMA to prevent KSD’s plant from getting flooded during future events similar in size to Patriots Day Flood. The project consisted of constructing a protective earthen berm around the entire treatment plant. For the protection to be complete, the project also included raising the level of Water Street outside the gate. KSD hired Brown Industrial Group (BIG) to build the berm. BIG was also tasked with constructing two storm water pump stations. These pump stations are required because the berm will actually contain rain water that falls directly into the plant. The plant would become a bowl filling with water if the pump stations were not built. KSD benefited from the berm’s protection at the end of February and in March 2010. During this 35-day period, Kennebunk experienced three major rain storms (100-year and 500-year events) that would have flooded KSD if the berm were not there. BIG completed the berm construction in December 2009 and continued project activities in 2010. These activities included plantings and final pavement of Water Street and KSD’s parking lot.

2011 PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The following table lists capital improvements proposed for 2011.

Project Location Cost
Office and Lab Improvements Water Street Office $3,000
GIS Mapping & SCADA System Improvements System Mapping and Process Control $33,500
Vehicle Replacement Fleet $22,000
Manhole, Pipe Replacement & Relining Replacement of section Boothby Rd Forcemain $172,000
Collection System Investigation Various Locations $10,000
Doanes Wharf Generator Doanes Wharf $30,000
Plant Improvements Water Street Plant $144,000
Pump Station Improvements Various Stations $179,000
TOTAL $593,000

ON-GOING ISSUES/PROJECTS

Patriots’ Day Flood
On April 16, 2007, the Kennebunk Sewer District's wastewater treatment facility was flooded by the Northeaster that struck the southern Maine coast. Astronomically high tides, wind and rainfall combined to push water levels over the banks of the Mousam River. At the height of the storm there was more than 4 feet of water in the District’s yard and nine of the eleven buildings that make up the Water Street facility were flooded by the overflowing Mousam River. Much of the equipment in those buildings was damaged, some severely.

It took several months and numerous meetings with FEMA, State and local officials to develop and agree on a plan for the reconstruction and mitigation for the wastewater facility. Submission of the application was difficult and time consuming, but in early October of 2007, the plan was finalized and sent to Washington, D.C. for FEMA approval. Senator Susan Collins’ office was a driving force during this process, seeing it through to its successful conclusion. In early December 2007, word was received that the reconstruction and mitigation projects had received final FEMA approval.

It is with great pleasure that KSD can report that after more than three and one half years that all the reconstruction and mitigation projects have been completed. FEMA officially closed out the project in November 2010. The Board extends special thanks to the Kennebunk Land Trust, Town of Kennebunk, Kennebunk Light & Power District, KKWWD, York County Emergency Management Agency and the Staff of Senator Susan Collins for their assistance to make the District’s flood recovery possible.

Emerging Issue – Disposable wipes
The Kennebunk Sewer District (KSD) is requesting assistance from its customers to prevent blockages in sewage infrastructure (pipes and pump stations) resulting from improper disposal of consumer products. Preventing blockages by disposing of these products properly will prevent inconvenience to users of the system (caused by backups), minimize additional work for our staff, and avoid an increased cost of maintenance operations (and future upgrades to the infrastructure).

Examples of the consumer materials that can cause sewer blockages when disposed of in sewers include the following:

- Baby/disinfecting wipes
- Disposable toilet cleaning pads
- Moist towelettes
- Makeup removal pads
- Disposable mop heads
- Dental floss
- Surface cleaning wipes
- Disposable diapers/underwear

While many of these products are marketed as “flushable”, several studies (and the experience of utilities across the country) have shown that they do not break down after disposal like common toilet tissue. The synthetic fibers that make the wipes and other products strong and effective can cause them to form clumps that easily entangle in pumps without ripping. Sewage can back up behind these clogs, sometimes causing wastewater to discharge into homeowner basements or from sewer structures into surface waters. These products should be disposed of in the trash. The wastewater treatment industry is working with the manufacturers of these products to provide more accurate labeling, to define the term “flushable”, and to ensure that products are disposed of in a responsible way.

Additional consumer items that may be labeled as “disposable”- such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, bladder control undergarments, plastic bags, and fabric cloths- should never be flushed.

Your cooperation in disposing of these wastes properly will protect not only your local surface waters but also your bottom line by reducing the need for rate increases to fund expanding maintenance requirements.

Conclusion
2010 has been quite a year for the Kennebunk Sewer District. As the three year recovery efforts related to the 2007 Patriots Day flood were winding down, the reconstruction of the HVAC systems was ramping up. In addition there were several construction projects such as the Town’s Scotsman Brook (Bourne Street sewer replacement), MDOT’s Mousam River Bridge replacement (Storer to Water St crossing), and facility projects that kept KSD quite busy.

The plans for 2011 are ambitious. In addition to the list of Capital Improvements that was previously provided in this report, there will be a separate project that will focus on improving the aeration capability for the secondary or biological treatment portion of the treatment facility. A study is now underway which will provide the best direction for KSD to proceed. The intent is to have this modification to the treatment facility online and functioning by June 1, 2011 to meet the District’s seasonal discharge license limits.

Finally, the Board wishes to acknowledge the dedicated service of District employees for their outstanding efforts to best serve the customers of the Kennebunk Sewer District. The Board is also grateful for the cooperation and assistance provided by the Kennebunk Land Trust, the local utilities and the Town during 2010.

Respectfully submitted,

Board of Trustees of the Kennebunk Sewer District
James A. Oppert, P.E., Chair
John E. Price III, Vice Chair
Robert J. DiCarlo, Treasurer
Mark K. Allenwood, Clerk
Nicholas C. Branchina, Trustee