Rudenko, Anastasia

Anastasia Rudenko is an associate with GHD, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Anastasia specializes in watershed management planning, coastal resilience risk assessment and design, and wastewater infrastructure design. She holds a Bachelors and Masters in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. In her free time, Anastasia enjoys exploring the waters of Cape Cod by sailboat.

Titles from this speaker

Description: Adapting Collection System Infrastructure to Changing Flood Vulnerabilities - New...

Adapting Collection System Infrastructure to Changing Flood Vulnerabilities - New England Case Studies

Abstract

Collection systems and treatment facilities serve as an important environmental line of defense against wastewater contamination of groundwater and coastal embayments. With more intense and frequent storm events and rising sea levels, many communities are facing an increased risk to critical wastewater infrastructure from flooding and storm damage affecting critical wastewater infrastructure (Figure 1). This presentation will use case studies for collection system infrastructure along multiple types of waterbodies to discuss flood resilience measures being evaluated and implemented in Southeastern Massachusetts. The case studies discuss collection system infrastructure along: -Complex coastal estuarine shorelines -Open ocean -Tidally influenced coastal ponds -Inland river flood plains The presentation will also focus on how these communities are incorporating accommodations for projected changes in storm intensity and frequency into flood resilience evaluation, design and construction. A brief description of each case study is summarized below. Town of Wareham, MA (complex coastal estuarine shorelines) - The Town of Wareham is a coastal community with over 54 miles of coastline. Hydraulic constrictions caused by the complex coastal estuarine system results in high anticipated flood levels, up to 21 feet above mean sea level. The Town recently completed a 'Risk and Vulnerability Assessment', which provided them with a valuable tool to quantify the anticipated costs borne to the Town and its citizens if any vulnerable pump station failed during a 100-year storm event. The assessment provided the Town with a road map and prioritization strategy on which of its many competing coastal resilience wastewater infrastructure needs to address first. Building on the findings of the Assessment, the Town has proceeded with the design of coastal resilience mitigation measures for three pump stations which were among the highest priority stations because they serve critical infrastructure (a hospital, fire department and police department). Coastal resilience measures incorporated into the design include the use of flood planks, structural reinforcement of existing structures (Figure 2), sealing potential water entry points and installation of emergency bypass connections (Figure 3). The construction of pump station bypass connections has been completed and relocation and elevation of emergency generators is in progress. Additionally, following multiple Nor'easter storms in 2018 that exceeded the regional 40-year flood stage record, the Town conducted an evaluation of the impact of anticipated increased rainfall from more frequent and intense storms on the infiltration/inflow entering its collection system. The repetitive, consecutive nature of the 2018 storms elevated the groundwater table, producing more head pressure in the gravity collection system which dramatically increased infiltration rates entering the collection system and being conveyed to the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility. The Town has successfully constructed the retrofit measures recommended by the I/I projections evaluation (Figure 4). Town of Oak Bluffs, MA (infrastructure exposed to the open ocean) -The Town of Oak Bluffs is a coastal community on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Its three vulnerable stations serve over 90% of the Town's sewered population, including many residences and the Town's primary commercial district (Figure 5). The Town recently completed the construction of mitigation measures to increase the coastal resilience of the stations through installation of a new emergency generator on a raised platform (Figure 6) and relocation of critical pump station equipment outside of the flood zone. The Town is currently in final design of an elevated electrical building superstructure designed to withstand anticipated flood conditions, with accommodations for the impacts of climate change through its design life. Town of Chatham, MA (tidally influenced coastal pond) - The Town of Chatham is a coastal community on Cape Cod. One of the Town's wet pit/dry pit pumping stations (Mill Pond) is located at the base of a tidally influenced coastal pond; updated FEMA flood maps show that the location is vulnerable to storm surges and flood events. During the Mill Pond Pumping Station Upgrade design, multiple flood protection measures were incorporated to increase the coastal resilience of the station. These measures include the establishment of a design flood elevation for the project which incorporates anticipated effects of sea level rise, installation of hydrophilic water stops and a flood proof entry door with stop blocks to provide flood mitigation measures (Figure 7). Town of Uxbridge, MA (inland river flood plain) — The Town of Uxbridge is an inland community in Central Massachusetts. Since construction of its centralized collection system the Blackstone River flood plain maps been revised and recent storm events have indicated that the Town's largest pump station is now vulnerable to the 100 year flood storm. During one storm event water was observed entering the station's wet well through conduits and rising within a couple inches of the top of the entrance tube (Figure 8). Additionally, the existing generator room was flooded, rendering equipment in the room inoperable during the storm event. The Town has finished construction mitigation measures to increase the flood resilience of this critical infrastructure, including raising vulnerable infrastructure above flood levels (Figure 9).

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, April 9-12, 2024.

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

14:00:00

14:30:00

Session time

13:30:00

16:45:00

SessionLocal Case Studies

Session number23

Session locationConnecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut

TopicClimate Change Adaptation, Collection Systems, Combined Sewer Overflow, Combined Sewer System, Construction, Deep Sewer Tunnel, Design Storm, Infiltration/Inflow, Precipitation Frequency, Sewer Separation, SSO Reduction, Stormwater Case Study/Application, Surface Water, Utility Management, Water Quality

Author(s)

Rudenko, Anastasia

Author(s)A. Rudenko1, M. Drainville1

Author affiliation(s)GHD 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Apr 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159378

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count14

Description: Adapting Collection System Infrastructure to Changing Flood Vulnerabilities -...

Adapting Collection System Infrastructure to Changing Flood Vulnerabilities - Southeastern Massachusetts Case Studies

Abstract

Collection systems and treatment facilities serve as an important environmental line of defense against wastewater contamination of groundwater and coastal embayments. With more intense and frequent storm events and rising sea levels, many communities are facing an increased risk to critical wastewater infrastructure from flooding and storm damage affecting critical wastewater infrastructure (Figure 1). This presentation will use case studies for collection system infrastructure along multiple types of waterbodies to discuss flood resilience measures being evaluated and implemented in Southeastern Massachusetts. The case studies discuss collection system infrastructure along:
Complex coastal estuarine shorelines
Open ocean
Tidally influenced coastal ponds
Inland river flood plains
The presentation will also focus on how these communities are incorporating accommodations for projected changes in storm intensity and frequency into flood resilience evaluation, design and construction. A brief description of each case study is summarized below. Town of Wareham (complex coastal estuarine shorelines) - The Town of Wareham is a coastal community with over 54 miles of coastline. Hydraulic constrictions caused by the complex coastal estuarine system results in high anticipated flood levels, up to 21 feet above mean sea level. The Town recently completed a 'Risk and Vulnerability Assessment', which provided them with a valuable tool to quantify the anticipated costs borne to the Town and its citizens if any vulnerable pump station failed during a 100-year storm event. The assessment allowed the Town to prioritize which of its many competing coastal resilience wastewater infrastructure needs to address first. Building on the findings of the Assessment, the Town is proceeding with the design of coastal resilience mitigation measures for three pump stations which were among the highest priority stations because they serve critical infrastructure (a hospital, fire department and police department). Coastal resilience measures incorporated into the design include the use of flood planks, structural reinforcement of existing structures (Figure 2), sealing potential water entry points and installation of emergency bypass connections (Figure 3). Additionally, following multiple Nor'easter storms in 2018 that exceeded the regional 40-year flood stage record, the Town conducted an evaluation of the impact of anticipated increased rainfall from more frequent and intense storms on the infiltration/inflow entering its collection system. The repetitive, consecutive nature of the 2018 storms elevated the groundwater table, producing more head pressure in the gravity collection system and dramatically increasing infiltration rates entering the collection system and being conveyed to the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility. The Town is currently completing final design of retrofit measures recommended by the I/I projections evaluation (Figure 4). Town of Oak Bluffs (infrastructure exposed to the open ocean) -The Town of Oak Bluffs is a coastal community on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Its three vulnerable stations serve over 90% of the Town's sewered population, including many residences and the Town's primary commercial district (Figure 5). The Town recently completed the construction of mitigation measures to increase the coastal resilience of the stations through installation of a new emergency generator on a raised platform (Figure 6) and relocation of critical pump station equipment outside of the flood zone. Town of Chatham (tidally influenced coastal pond) - The Town of Chatham is a coastal community on Cape Cod. One of the Town's wet pit/dry pit pumping stations (Mill Pond) is located at the base of a tidally influenced coastal pond; updated FEMA flood maps show that the location is vulnerable to storm surges and flood events. During the Mill Pond Pumping Station Upgrade design, multiple flood protection measures were incorporated to increase the coastal resilience of the station. These measures include the establishment of a design flood elevation for the project which incorporates anticipated effects of sea level rise, installation of hydrophilic water stops and a flood proof entry door with stop blocks to provide flood mitigation measures (Figure 7). Town of Uxbridge (inland river flood plain). The Town of Uxbridge is an inland community in Central Massachusetts. Since construction of its centralized collection system the Blackstone River flood plain maps have changed and recent storm events have indicated that one of the Town's major pump stations is now vulnerable to the 100 year flood storm. During one storm event water was observed entering the station's wet well through conduits and rising within a couple inches of the top of the entrance tube (Figure 8). Additionally, the existing generator room was flooded, rendering equipment in the room inoperable during the storm event. The Town is currently constructing mitigation measures to increase the flood resilience of this equipment, including raising vulnerable infrastructure above flood levels.

The following conference paper was presented at Collection Systems 2021: A Virtual Event, March 23-25, 2021.

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

13:20:00

13:40:00

Session time

13:00:00

14:00:00

SessionFlooding Dynamics

Session number2

Session locationSimu-live

TopicClimate Change Adaptation, Design Storm, Emergency Preparedness And Response, Flow Management/Pumping, Great Lakes Issues, Infiltration/Inflow, Radar Rainfall, Risk Management, Wet Weather

Author(s)

A. RudenkoM. Drainville

Author(s)A. Rudenko1; M. Drainville2

Author affiliation(s)GHD1; GHD2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Mar 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825157907

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems Conference

Word count14

Boxed In: Wastewater Effluent Discharge Challenges in a Coastal Environment

Abstract

The coastline of southeastern Massachusetts is comprised of multiple estuarine systems. Nutrient enrichment, primarily associated with population growth and watershed land use changes, has exceeded these watersheds’ nitrogen assimilative capacities resulting in severe water quality degradation. Eutrophication is affecting environmental health, property values, and recreational opportunities. As communities evaluate options for nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) compliance, they must also navigate issues related to returning treated effluent nitrogen load to impaired watersheds, groundwater mounding impacts on surface water systems, phosphorus load impacts to freshwater systems, and contaminants of emerging concern issues to public water supplies.

The coastline of Massachusetts is comprised of multiple estuarine systems experiencing degrading water quality due to nutrient enrichment. As communities evaluate options for nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) compliance, they must navigate issues related to returning treated effluent nitrogen load to impaired watersheds, groundwater mounding impacts on surface water systems, phosphorus impacts to freshwater systems, and contaminants of emerging concern issues to public water supplies.

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

14:10:00

14:30:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionFrom Fish Passage Design to Ocean Discharges: Going Coastal

Session locationRoom S402a - Level 4

TopicIntermediate Level, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Rudenko, Anastasia

Author(s)A. Rudenko 1; M. Drainville 1 ; A. Rudenko 1;

Author affiliation(s)GHD 1; GHD 1 ; GHD 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159221

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count11

Description: Implementing A Water Quality Restoration Program Through An Adaptive Management...

Implementing A Water Quality Restoration Program Through An Adaptive Management Approach: Falmouth, MA Case Study

Abstract

Introduction
The Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts has almost 70 miles of shoreline which forms fifteen coastal estuaries along Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Like many similar estuarine systems along the East Coast, nutrient enrichment, primarily associated with population growth and water-shed land use changes, has exceeded these watersheds' assimilative capacity and resulted in water quality degradation. Documented impacts include aesthetic degradation, disruption to benthic communities and loss of native eelgrass beds.
Background
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) has been operating a water quality monitoring program in Falmouth's southern estuaries since 1989. This data has documented declining water quality in Falmouth's coastal estuaries and was used as the basis of the multiple Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) nitrogen limits established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Falmouth's watersheds. Figure 1 summarizes the nitrogen removal requirements for each coastal estuary in Falmouth needed to meet TMDL and watershed restoration goals. Figure 2 shows the estimated percent of septic system nitrogen that needs to be removed from each of Falmouth's South Coast Estuaries to meet TMDL goals.
Methodology
The Town of Falmouth has been tackling this daunting nitrogen management challenge on a watershed by watershed basis, starting with the Little Pond Watershed. As demonstrated in Figure 1, the Little Pond Watershed is one of the most severely impacted watersheds in Falmouth. The TWMP outlined the need to remove 100 percent of controllable nitrogen sources in Little Ponds lower watersheds. The watershed is one of the most densely developed areas in Falmouth, resulting in sewering being identified as the most cost effective option to manage nitrogen in the watershed. In 2014, the Town of Falmouth received approval of their first Targeted Watershed Management Plan (TWMP) for the Little Pond Watershed. An estimated eighty-eight percent of nitrogen inputs into Little Pond watershed were removed through sewer extensions to this peninsula in 2017.
The Town is concurrently evaluating the water quality impacts of sewering in this watershed (to remove septic nitrogen load) and assessing the feasibility of implementing non-sewering nitrogen management strategies to address the remaining twelve percent of nitrogen that needs to be removed from the watershed to achieve TMDL goals.
1. Evaluating Water Quality Impacts of Replacing Septic Systems with Sewering The Town is partnering with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to use the Little Pond sewering project as a case study to evaluate the effects of septic to sewer conversion on groundwater quality in a densely-developed coastal neighborhood. In this study wastewater impacts are being tracked based on elevated levels of nitrates, boron, fluoride, contaminants of emerging concern, low pH and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. A monitoring network comprised of fifteen monitoring wells throughout the peninsula is being used to evaluate the flushing rate of the existing septic groundwater plume. This will provide a valuable comparison to initial estimates. Sampling was initially implemented in 2016, prior to sewer connections being available in this area and is continuing post-sewering. This presentation will discuss preliminary findings of this monitoring program.
2. Assessing the Feasibility of Non-Sewering Nitrogen Management Approaches As the Town continues its nitrogen management planning for less densely developed areas along its South Coast Estuaries, it has developed a TMDL Compliance Approach for each watershed that incorporates both sewering and non-sewering approaches. The Town is actively pursuing pilot and demonstration projects for the non-sewering approaches to assess their feasibility. Data collected in each demonstration project will be used to assess the feasibility of implementing these technologies in other coastal watersheds. Nitrogen reduction strategies being evaluated include permeable reactive barriers, fertilizer management; stormwater management; shellfish aquaculture for nitrogen polishing; inlet widening to enhance tidal flushing and the use of enhanced innovative and alternative on-site treatment systems. The Town is collaborating with SMAST to implement a baseline monitoring program for the coastal estuaries, which will be used to assess performance of both sewering and non-sewering alternatives. The Town is currently partnering with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to install and monitor a pilot permeable reactive barrier in one of its nitrogen-impaired watersheds. The pilot utilizes injected emulsified vegetable oil to provide a carbon source in the soil to convert groundwater nitrates to nitrogen gas through denitrification. Data collected through the pilot is being used to evaluate optimal carbon loading rates and to validate the assumptions that a full-scale installation (120 feet in length and 20 feet depth) at this site would be capable of removing a nitrogen load equivalent to sewering 130 homes in the watershed.
The Town is also undertaking a 3-year pilot aquaculture project to evaluate potential nitrogen removal rates from oyster harvesting. The Town piloted a novel shellfish management process in the Eel River to propagate oysters at three locations through a partnership with private aquaculture growers. Eel River was selected based on site specific characteristics, including water depth, bottom type and its designation as an approved shellfish growing area. The private aquaculture growers are responsible for purchasing seed, growing and harvesting the oysters in the chosen locations. Additionally, the growers are required to report the harvest weight of harvested oysters and to provide samples to the Town for independent analysis of nitrogen content from the removed animals. The pilot project goals are to assess the feasibility of utilizing commercial growers to implement a water quality nitrogen polishing program and to verify initial assumptions on how much nitrogen is removed from the waterbody through aquaculture cultivation and harvest.
Results and Benefits
The Town of Falmouth has developed a planning strategy which utilizes baseline water quality monitoring data to assess environmental impacts of both sewering and non-sewering nitrogen management strategies. As the Town continues its watershed by watershed nitrogen management planning approach, non-traditional demonstration projects that prove to be feasible and cost effective will be added to the Plan through a Notice of Project Change in accordance with the (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act) (MEPA) review and approval process. Utilizing non-sewering nitrogen management strategies in less densely developed portions of the Town is anticipated to result in a more cost-effective nitrogen management program and to provide the Plan with flexibility to incorporate newer technologies into the Plan as anticipated performance of these systems is assessed and documented through pilot testing.

The Town of Falmouth has almost 70 miles of shoreline forming fifteen coastal estuaries along Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Nitrogen enrichment has exceeded these watersheds' assimilative capacity and resulted in water quality degradation. The Town is implementing a nitrogen management planning strategy that incorporates both traditional and non-traditional nitrogen management approaches and is designed with flexibility to incorporate newer technologies as anticipated performance of these sys

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

16:25:00

16:40:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

TopicIntermediate Level, Nutrients, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Rudenko, Anastasia

Author(s)Anastasia Rudenko1; Marc Drainville2

Author affiliation(s)GHD, Hyannis, MA1; GHD, Hyannis, MA2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158730

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count16

Description: Increasing the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Wastewater Infrastructure in...

Increasing the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Wastewater Infrastructure in Southeastern Massachusetts to the impacts of Sea Level Rise

Abstract

Introduction Recently the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) redefined Base floodplains (more commonly known as 100 year floodplains) in Southeastern Massachusetts. In many coastal communities wastewater infrastructure that was previously considered to be outside the extent of the Base Flood is now shown to be vulnerable to this event. In addition, projections for sea level rise are expected to exacerbate flood risk in future years. One particularly vulnerable area is the low-lying coastal Town of Wareham, Massachusetts. The Town is nestled around Buzzards Bay, which creates several throttling points where catastrophic waves are anticipated to develop from Atlantic Ocean storms. As shown in Table 1, the Town has experienced several near 1% Flood events in the past 100 years. The Town's wastewater infrastructure, which is typically at the lowest elevations, is especially vulnerable to the newly established Base Flood. Background With the significant changes that have been made of late to the FEMA flood elevations, the State of Massachusetts has encouraged its coastal communities to shore up their coastal infrastructure. Through the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the State has provided funding to communities for projects that support proactive efforts to reduce a vulnerability to coastal flooding with consideration to changing environmental conditions. One proactive effort would be the shoring up of vulnerable, existing coastal wastewater infrastructure. In order to investigate the status of this infrastructure, one first needs to consider what elevation is a safe one for this infrastructure or what is the Design Flood Elevation (DFE). The DFE consists of a number of factors including the base flood elevation, a required minimum freeboard, and other factors the local community deems relevant such as sea level rise. A unique aspect of this project is that CZM requires that communities consider sea level rise when they establish a DFE. Although there are a number of projections for sea level rise, building codes do not yet require this to be considered. CZM requested an allowance be provided to demonstrate consideration for sea level rise. Figure 1 shows one sea level rise projection. Methodology The Town of Wareham (Town) is a coastal community in Southeastern Massachusetts with a year round population of approximately 20,000. The Town operates a wastewater system that serves approximately sixty percent of the Town. The system consists of 92 km (57 miles) of gravity sewer and force mains, 43 pump stations, and a Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). The collection system has significant environmental and economic importance to the Town. It serves the most populated portion of the Town as well as the Town's large seasonal summer population and day-trippers. The majority of the Town's pump stations are in vulnerable areas with respect to the Base Flood (especially considering subsequent anticipated wave action). With anticipated sea level rise due to climate change, many of the town's pump stations are in a very precarious position. Twenty nine of the Town's 43 pump stations are located within the Special Flood Hazard Area as shown in Figure 2. Additionally, infrastructure and multiple pump stations outside of flood zones rely on these stations to convey wastewater to the wastewater treatment facility. Figure 3 shows the interdependence of the Towns pump stations and critical infrastructure served by the stations. The evaluation of the twenty nine vulnerable stations included the development of a DFE which considered the base flood elevation, freeboard per the ASCE 24-14 — Flood Resistant Design and Construction reference and an allowance for sea level rise. This elevation was then projected onto each of the pump stations to assess the station's vulnerability (see Figure 4). CZM also required that the Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model be considered (see Figure 5). Anticipated impact from the Base Flood ranges from minimal damage to inundation of the station rendering the station inoperable.. With so many pump stations in vulnerable positions, a prioritization methodology needed to be developed. A Risk and Vulnerability Assessment was conducted using the risk and consequence approach outlined in 'Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP) Standard for Risk and Resilience Management for Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems Using the ASTM-ITI RAMCAP Plus Methodology, 1st Edition (ANSI/AWWA J100- 10(R13))', a document commonly referred to as 'J100'. This document provides a methodology for communities, such as the Town of Wareham, to identify vulnerabilities within their system (as related to coastal flooding and climate change) and the risk associated with these vulnerabilities. Although The Hazards United States (HAZUS) model developed by FEMA to estimate potential losses in disasters was considered for use, the model was not able to converge with the complex coastline in Wareham. As a result, a Benefit Cost Analysis was developed using the FEMA software program BCA 5.1. This software analyzes proposed project costs and benefits, and produces a benefit-cost ratio (BCR). This model considered many factors including the local environment, critical facilities served and interdependency of pump stations. RESULTS Annual flood risks calculated for each station using the BCA methodology are shown in Table 2. Flood risk is the summation of the costs borne by the Town and its citizens. Costs to the Town include replacement of damaged or destroyed equipment and loss of essential services while the station is inoperable (such as hospital, police station, or fire department services). Costs to citizens include impact to natural resources, relocation costs during the period that their house has no sewer service and volunteer costs for clean-up efforts. Infrastructure with a higher annual flood risk typically serves many users, may serve critical infrastructure, and may have many pump stations that rely upon its proper functioning. Infrastructure with a lower annual flood risk typically serves less critical infrastructure and may have no pump stations that rely upon its operation. Conducting a 'Risk and Vulnerability Assessment' allowed the Town to prioritize which of its many competing coastal resilience wastewater infrastructure issues to address first. The Town has now initiated design work on three of its most vulnerable stations (Figure 6) which all serve critical infrastructure (a hospital, police station and fire department). Coastal resilience improvements to the pump stations include: relocating penetrations, installation of structural steel to shore up walls (Figure 7), and the use of carbon fiber to enhance reinforced masonry, raising elevations of generators, reinforcing or replacing walls and relocating portions of the infrastructure. The Town now has a plan and has begun to implement the plan that shall serve as a road map to shore up its most vulnerable wastewater infrastructure to make it more resilient to the impacts of tidal and sea level rise.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, April 9-12, 2024.

SpeakerDrainville, Marc

Presentation time

15:45:00

16:15:00

Session time

15:45:00

16:45:00

SessionTidal and Sea Level Rise Impact

Session number11

Session locationConnecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut

TopicClimate Change Adaptation, Design Storm, Lift Station, Modeling, Resiliency, Sea Level Rise, Stormwater Case Study/Application, Stormwater Management Design And Analysis, Tsunami, Wet Weather

Author(s)

Drainville, Marc

Author(s)M. Drainville1, A. Rudenko1

Author affiliation(s)GHD, Inc. 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Apr 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159346

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count19

Description: Integrated Approaches to Nutrient Management Planning: Southeastern Massachusetts...

Integrated Approaches to Nutrient Management Planning: Southeastern Massachusetts Case Studies

Abstract

Background The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have implemented non-point-source, watershed-based nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits for multiple small coastal estuaries in southeastern Massachusetts. Southeastern Massachusetts towns have approached this nitrogen contamination problem — primarily caused by overuse of septic systems as populations grew - in very different ways. Methodology Although almost all communities in the Study Area have explored growth neutral land use controls and solutions such as stormwater management and fertilizer reduction, some towns have taken a primarily traditional approach to solving the problem while others have explored alternative technologies. Some towns place an emphasis on traditional solutions such as sewering with an enhanced nitrogen removal process centralized wastewater treatment facility. Others have explored innovative non-traditional technologies such as shellfish aquaculture, permeable reactive barriers, inlet widening to improve tidal flushing, decentralized treatment facilities, and nitrogen reducing onsite septic systems. Many communities are developing a hybrid approach where traditional sewering is targeted for the highest density neighborhoods with non-traditional strategies being implemented in more less densely developed areas. Results Communities with TMDLs have initiated comprehensive wastewater management plans (CWMP) to develop methodologies to reduce nitrogen impacts. Representative case studies illustrate the unique solutions adopted by two of these communities; these both provide lessons learned to any community facing similar challenges. The communities of Oak Bluffs, MA and Chatham, MA each approached the CWMP process differently. Although the solutions were different, both communities faced a significant challenge- as a result of significant long term project costs — which has resulted in a robust public education effort. Case Study #1: Chatham's Septic to Sewer Strategy The Town of Chatham, MA has a severe nitrogen contamination problem. As shown in Figure 1, one third of the watersheds within the Town require 100% removal of wastewater nitrogen and almost three quarters require more than 50% removal of wastewater nitrogen to meet the Town's TMDL goals. The solution to this problem was estimated to cost over $300 million for a community with a year round population of just over 6000. In order to solve this problem, the Town developed a phased implementation approach. This approach primarily consists of planned implementation of traditional sewering technologies with limited non-traditional technologies for targeted areas. In the first phase of the plan the Town's existing Water Pollution Control Facility was upgraded to a limit of technology nitrogen removal process and its flow capacity was increased (Figure 3). The Town has been implementing septic to sewer conversion projects that account for approximately 15-20% of its TMDL compliance requirements every three years (Figure 2). Now almost 40% complete with its TMDL compliance plan, over 700 properties have been removed to date from septic systems, providing a potential future nitrogen load reduction of about 3,000 kg/y for this initial part of a larger long-term implementation program. In addition, the Town has completed an inlet widening project (Figure 4) as well as implemented a fertilizer management plan, the only two non-traditional nitrogen reduction options that were feasible to help address the significant contamination issues in this town. Overall, the Town plans to achieve its nitrogen TMDL goals within a 20-year timeframe. Case Study #2: Oak Bluffs Hybrid Nitrogen Management Approach The Town of Oak Bluffs is a small community with a year-round population of less than 5,000 people. The majority of the Town lies within one of four nitrogen sensitive coastal watersheds (Figure 5). Every summer, the Town sees a substantial population increase from tourism, which has contributed to the nutrient impacts observed in the Town's water resources. The Town has a small centralized wastewater treatment system, with limited options for treated effluent recharge expansion, which drove the Town to evaluate multiple non-traditional nitrogen management technologies as part of its comprehensive wastewater management plan (CWMP). In order to meet its nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load limit goals, the Town has developed a hybrid Recommended Plan, which integrates multiple nitrogen management strategies for each watershed including centralized sewering, an enhanced nitrogen removal on-site septic system program, and permeable reactive barriers. The Recommended Plan includes the implementation of an adaptive management process to incorporate cost-effective pilot technologies into the plan once they demonstrate feasibility. The adaptive management process will involve ongoing water quality monitoring to monitor and respond to the results of the implementation. This adaptive management approach will enable the Recommended Plan to be adjusted based on the monitoring results of the environmental and economic impacts associated with the construction of sewers and implementation of pilot projects in Oak Bluffs. Benefits and Next Steps The complex wastewater nitrogen contamination challenges in southeastern Massachusetts require significant investments to reverse years of environmental degradation. This problem is being addressed by the small communities in Southeastern Massachusetts with innovative solutions that seek to manage high costs by balancing traditional and non-traditional wastewater management solutions. The solutions outlined above are allowing for the recovery of degraded coastal waterways using fiscal sustainable approaches. However, as the problem took many years to develop, so will the solutions with many of these comprehensive wastewater management plans having a schedule of 20, 30 and even 40 years to implement, making the results more of a long term goal.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, April 9-12, 2024.

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

15:45:00

16:15:00

Session time

15:45:00

16:45:00

SessionIntegrated Planning

Session number09

Session locationConnecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut

TopicFlooding, Hydrology & Hydraulics, Machine Learning, Septic to Sewer, TMDLs, Water Quality, Watershed Management

Author(s)

Rudenko, Anastasia

Author(s)A. Rudenko1, M. Drainville1

Author affiliation(s)GHD, 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Apr 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159387

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count11

Integrated Approaches to Reversing the Impacts of Nitrogen Eutrophication in Coastal Estuaries: Southeastern Massachusetts Case Studies

Abstract

Background Federal and State regulatory agencies have implemented watershed-based nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits for multiple coastal estuaries in Southeastern Massachusetts. Affected communities are developing strategies to restore these waterbodies in very different ways. Methodology Communities are exploring multiple options to reverse the impacts of nitrogen eutrophication in coastal estuaries. Traditional approaches rely primarily on centralized collection and enhanced nitrogen removal wastewater treatment. Innovative non-traditional technologies currently being piloted include shellfish aquaculture, permeable reactive barriers, tidal flushing improvements, and nitrogen reducing onsite septic system programs. Many communities are developing a hybrid approach where sewering is targeted for high density neighborhoods with non-traditional strategies being implemented in less densely developed areas. Results Communities with TMDLs have initiated watershed management plans (WMP) to outline strategies for watershed restoration. The communities of Oak Bluffs, MA and Chatham, MA each approached the watershed management planning process differently. Although their solutions were different, both communities faced a significant challenge- as a result of significant long term project costs — which has resulted in a robust public education effort. Case Study #1: Chatham's Septic to Sewer Strategy The Town of Chatham, MA has a severe nitrogen contamination problem. As shown in Figure 1, one third of the watersheds within the Town require 100% removal of wastewater nitrogen to meet the Town's TMDL goals. The solution to this problem was estimated to cost over $300 million for a community with a year-round population of just over 6,000. In order to solve this problem, the Town developed a phased implementation approach. This approach primarily consists of planned implementation of traditional sewering technologies with limited non-traditional technologies for targeted areas. In the first phase of the plan the Town's existing Water Pollution Control Facility was upgraded to a limit of technology nitrogen removal process and its flow capacity was increased (Figure 2). The Town has been implementing septic to sewer conversion projects that account for approximately 15-20% of its TMDL compliance requirements every three years (Figure 3). Now almost 40% complete with its TMDL compliance plan, over 700 properties have been removed to date from septic systems, providing a potential future nitrogen load reduction of about 3,000 kg/y for this initial part of a larger long-term implementation program. In addition, the Town has completed an inlet widening project (Figure 4) as well as implemented a fertilizer management plan, the only two non-traditional nitrogen reduction options that were feasible to help address the significant contamination issues in this town. Overall, the Town plans to achieve its nitrogen TMDL goals within a 20-year timeframe. Case Study #2: Oak Bluffs Hybrid Nitrogen Management Approach The Town of Oak Bluffs is a small community with a year-round population of less than 5,000 people. The majority of the Town lies within one of four nitrogen sensitive coastal watersheds (Figure 5). Every summer, the Town sees a substantial population increase from tourism, which has contributed to the nutrient impacts observed in the Town's water resources. The Town has a small centralized wastewater treatment system, with limited options for treated effluent recharge expansion, which has driven the Town to evaluate multiple non-traditional nitrogen management technologies as part of its comprehensive wastewater management plan (CWMP). In order to meet its nitrogen TMDL goals, the Town has developed a hybrid Recommended Plan, which integrates multiple nitrogen management strategies for each watershed including centralized sewering, an enhanced nitrogen removal on-site septic system program, inlet widening and permeable reactive barriers. The Recommended Plan includes the implementation of an adaptive management process to incorporate cost-effective pilot technologies into the plan once they demonstrate feasibility. The adaptive management process will involve ongoing water quality monitoring to track the results of implemented projects, and to adjust the plan going forward. Benefits and Next Steps The complex wastewater nitrogen contamination challenges in southeastern Massachusetts require significant investments to reverse years of environmental degradation. This problem is being addressed by the small communities in Southeastern Massachusetts with innovative solutions that seek to manage high costs by balancing traditional and non-traditional wastewater management solutions. The solutions outlined above are allowing for the recovery of degraded coastal waterways using fiscal sustainable approaches.

Communities in Southeastern Massachusetts are exploring options to reverse the impacts of nitrogen eutrophication and meet nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits. Many communities are developing a hybrid approach where sewering is targeted for high-density neighbourhoods with non-traditional strategies being implemented in less densely developed areas.

SpeakerRudenko, Anastasia

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:20:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionNutrient Management: GET OUT (The Nutrients)!

Session number234

Session locationRoom 343

TopicIntermediate Level, Nutrients, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)