Agenda Item 8BAQENDA ITEM # 89
JANUARY 28, 2013
AGENDA ITEM NO.
DATE;
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM; Contract for Mixing Zone Assessment of Total Capper and Cyanide at the
St. Johns River Outfall
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Kaluzniak, Utility Directo ( "`
DATE. January 18, 2013
STRATEGIC PLAN LINK: NIA
BACKGROUND: In 2004, the City Commission authorized the engineering firm of Camp,
Dresser & McKee (C'DM), currently named CDM Smith, to conduct a study and modeling in
order to obtain an effluent copper mixing Lane from the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP). This mixing zone allowed the three beach (Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach
and Jacksonville Beach) cities to discharge a higher concentration level of capper than typically
permitted in the combined effluents based on the results of the study. The mixing zone was
approved by FDEP and included in the wastewater permits for the three beach cities.
When the FDEP wastewater permits were renewed for the three beach cities in 2009, the section
of the St. Johns River where our combined effluent discharges was listed as impaired by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for copper and the cities could no longer use the
mixing zone.
As a result, all three beach cities were placed under an Administrative Order for bath copper and
cyanide (a new limit). These limitations are very stringent, much more so than drinking water
regulations. The copper limit is 3.7 parts per billion (ppb) in the effluent (vs. 1,300 ppb allowed
in drinking water) and cyanide limit is I part per billion (vs. 200 ppb allowed in drinking water).
Wastewater treatment plants are not capable of removing these extremely low levels of copper
and cyanide.
FDEP informed the cities it was likely the river impairment would be de- listed, and the,rlixing,
zone would be acceptable at some point prior to our next permit renewals. At a recent rnecting,
FDEP informed the beach cities that the de- listing, of the St. Johns River has been informally
approved by EPA and that a formal de- listing is imminent.
FDEP noted that the cities will not be able to use the previously approved mixing zone until
updated sampling, data analysis and modeling are completed for copper and cyanide. Therefore
an updated sampling plan, data analysis and modeling project must be completed and submitted
to FDEP for approval of the mixing zone for copper and cyanide prior to each city's next permit
renewal application, the earliest of which is due in August, 2013.
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
JANUARY 28, 2013
in order to accomplish the required sampling, testing, and modeling by the application deadline,
this work must begin immediately.
Due to the time - sensitive nature of the project and the fact that CDM Smith had done the
previous mixing zone model, the three cities requested a proposal from CDM Smith to update the
existing model and mixing zone study. CDM Smith has expertise in conducting this work and
did an excellent job of working with FDEP to obtain approval for the previously permitted
mixing zone.
CDM Smith is also working on mixing zone assessments for JEA. JEA will be conducting the
river sampling as part of their assessment, and has agreed to perform the river sampling for the
beach cities in conjunction with their own work.
CDM Smith's price for completing the Mixing Zone Assessment is $27,760 and JEA's cost of
$1,200 for the additional river sampling will be charged to the 3 cities for a total cost of $28,960.
BUDGET: Because staff at the three beach cities believed the previously approved mixing zone
would be usable, funds were not budgeted in FY 2013.
However, funds are available for the Effluent Copper and Cyanide Mixing Zones from other
projects that came in under budget. The project will be funded by all three beach cities as
follows, with Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach reimbursing Atlantic Beach. Funding is
based on the percentage of capacity in the combined effluent force main:
Treatment Plant
Combined force
Percent of Total of All
Total Cost for the
main capacity,
3 Treatment Plants
Effluent Copper and
MGD
Cyanide Mixing Zones
(Total = 10.9)
Study.
Jacksonville Beach
4.5
41.3%
$11,960
Neptune Beach
1.5
13.7%
$3,968
Atlantic Beach (2)
4.9
45.0%
$13,032
RECOMMENDATION: Award the contract for Mixing Zone Assessment of Total Copper and
Cyanide at the St. Johns River Outfall to CDM Smith in the amount of $27,760, and authorize
the City Manager to sign the contract. Authorize payment for additional river sampling to JEA in
the amount of $1,200.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Statement of Work and proposal from CDM Smith dated January
18, 2013
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
AGENDA ITEM # 813
JANUARY 28, 2013
Statement of Work
Permitting Assistance, Mixing Zone Assessment of Total Copper and Cyanide at the St. Johns
River Outfall
January 18, 2013
1. Background
In October 2004, CDM Smith Inc. (CDM Smith) assisted the City of Atlantic Beach (CITY) to
establish a mixing zone with approval by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) through a permit modification. A mixing zone is defined as the volume or area required
to mix the point- source pollutant of concern to an acceptable concentration. FDEP requires that
the outer delineation of a mixing zone exhibits a 100:1 downstream (and upstream) dilution
ratio (Gilbert, 2002).
For continuous discharge of copper- enriched effluents, CDM Smith utilized a mathematical flow
and transport model (CORMIX) to determine and optimize the extent of the mixing zone at the
St. Johns River outfall. A report summarizing the model and data was presented to the CITY in
October 2004. This report detailed the proposed mixing zone for the CITY's wastewater effluent
into the St. John's River at the outfall. The permits that were issued to the Beaches facilities as a
result of the 2004 study included provisions for monitoring effluent copper concentration, as
well as upstream and downstream ambient concentrations. For the following study outlined is
this scope of work, the data collected in the previous permit cycle for effluent and ambient
concentrations will be used to update the CORMIX modeling. No additional sampling will be
required for copper. In addition to copper, a mixing zone analysis will be prepared for cyanide.
The cyanide data collected during the previous permit cycle was based on a method detection
limit that exceeds the water quality standard. As such, a new data set will be collected and
analyzed to a lower detection limit to provide more usable data for the CORMIX modeling effort.
2. Purpose
Pursuant to the regulatory requirements, the three wastewater facilities of Atlantic Beach 1,
Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach are obligated to comply through a modification of their
current effluent discharge permit to the St. Johns River for total recoverable copper and
cyanide. In agreement with the guidelines and regulations of FDEP, this scope focuses on
providing further permitting assistance for the modification of the respective permits for each
facility by updating a previously developed a mathematical model for the mixing zone area in
the St. John's River.
3. Task Identification
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AGENDA ITEM # 813
JANUARY 28, 2013
Task 3.1: Data Collection and Analysis
CDM Smith will prepare a brief sampling protocol for submittal to and approval by FDEP prior to
conducting the sampling events. CDM Smith will utilize existing copper data for the CORMIX
modeling effort. The Beaches facilities will partner with JEA for the collection of ambient
samples upstream and downstream of the outfall for cyanide, as well as 3 additional locations in
the vicinity of the outfall (to be determined by FDEP. Beaches staff will collect effluent cyanide
samples at each of the three WWTP's on the same day as the river sampling for each of events.
FDEP has requested four monthly sampling events to be conducted in February, March, April
and May of 2013. A high tide and low tide sample will be collected during each event for
ambient concentrations; one corresponding sample will be collected at each WWTP per event.
CDM Smith will contract with Columbia Analytical Services to perform cyanide analysis of the
samples collected. The analysis will be performed with a method detection limit that is
approved by FDEP. For each of the four monthly sampling events, 5 samples will be collected at
high tide, 5 samples will be collected at low tide, 3 effluent samples will be collected, 1 trip
blank and 1 equipment blank will be collected, for a total of 15 samples per event. Over the four
month sampling program, this will result in a total data pool of 60 sampling results.
Task 3.2: Model Update
CDM Smith will be responsible for reviewing and updating the mathematical model, CORMIX, at
the outfall pipe in the St. Johns River. The existing model will be updated to version 8.0. Using
the best available sources, CDM Smith will review existing data and update the river model if
necessary, including river depth, ambient current velocity profile, ambient salinity and
temperature, background pollutant concentration, decay rate, far -field dispersion rate, port
diameter, port elevation, port orientation (vertical and horizontal), effluent flow rate, effluent
salinity and temperature, and effluent pollutant concentration. CDM Smith believes minimal
updates will be required for the model configuration. CDM Smith has included this task in the
scope and fee to ensure accuracy when reporting to the FDEP. CDM Smith will purchase the
required CORMIX license to be used for both the Beaches and JEA facilities, and has included the
portion of the license fee attributed to the Beaches outfall in the project budget (1/8 of total
license purchase price). The CITY and FDEP shall assist the CDM Smith in providing the effluent
discharge permit of each wastewater treatment facility as these have been updated since the
previous model was completed. The St. Johns River Water Management District EFDC model for
the St Johns River will be used to update the current and velocity data in the CORMIX model.
Task 3.2.1: Model Re- Calibration and Comparisons with Observed Values
CDM Smith shall utilize data from previously selected sampling locations 30 feet upstream
(SJR_3) from the outfall discharge as the suitable re- calibration point. Water velocity and
background concentration of total recoverable copper and cyanide will be calibrated with a
relative error of 20 percent. The model outputs of velocity and total recoverable copper and
cyanide concentrations will be compared against the new field measurements. Existing copper
data will be used for the CORMIX model update; new cyanide data will be collected by JEA staff
(per agreement between JEA and the Beaches) in conjunction with routine monthly river
sampling that is already performed by JEA (February through May).
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AGENDA ITEM # 813
JANUARY 28, 2013
CDM Smith shall provide appropriate statistical analysis on the match between predicted and
measured values of velocity and concentrations, including mass balance and plots.
Task 3.2.2: Simulations of Current Conditions and Determination of Mixing Zone
Once the model is satisfactorily updated and re- calibrated, CDM Smith shall determine the
extent of the mixing zone downstream of the outfall pipe, including the 100:1 dilution line, and
the centerline dilution. CDM Smith will predict the attainable dilution ratio for the total
recoverable copper and cyanide discharge as a function of distance downstream of the common
outfall discharge pipe.
Task 3.3: Reporting
CDM Smith shall submit of the following reports: (1) a final draft report for review at the
completion of the modeling effort, and (2) a final report at the completion of the project
addressing comments arising from the review of the draft.
CDM Smith shall draft a final report that includes project description, collection and evaluation
of data, calibration procedure, assumptions and limitations of the model calibrations,
determination of the mixing zone, and summary and recommendations. Plots of total
recoverable copper and cyanide concentrations, comparison between predicted and measured
velocity and total recoverable copper cyanide concentration shall be included in the final report.
CDM Smith shall submit the final draft report to the CITY and FDEP for review in six bound
copies. The draft shall be reviewed by CITY and FDEP staff within three weeks of submittal and
returned to CDM Smith with review comments for final editing. Within three weeks of receipt of
CITY's final comments, CDM Smith shall submit:
1. The final version of the report in nine bound copies; and
2. A documented CD -ROM or DVD of the project report as a pdf file, and model input
and output files of the project area.
4. Time Frames and Deliverables
Overall the project time shall not exceed 6 months from receipt of a Notice -to Proceed with the
following milestones:
1. Draft final report delivered within 4 weeks of receipt of the second sampling event
results;
2. The CITY will review and provide comments within 2 weeks of submittal of the draft
report using CDM Smith standard review template; and
3. Submittal of revised final report and model input /output files within 2 weeks of the
receipt of the CITY's comments.
5. Budget /Cost Schedule
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AGENDA ITEM # 813
JANUARY 28, 2013
CDM Smith shall provide the professional services described in this scope of work for a lump
sum of $27,760. CDM Smith shall invoice every month based on estimated percent of
completion. The cost breakdown is described in Table 5 -1.
Table 5 -1 Cost Breakdown of Mixing Zone Project
Task
Description
$
1
Data Collection and Analysis
2,440
2
Model Update
16,720
3
Report ing
5,500
Outside Professionals
Laboratory Services — Cyanide Only
2,260
Other Direct Costs
Model Purchase, Mileage, Postage, etc.
840
Total
27,760
Submitted By: Date:
CDM Smith Inc.
Accepted By:
City of Atlantic Beach
Date:
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