Successes of a $82M, Federally Funded Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation Program

Introduction. In 2020, Tohopekaliga Water Authority ('TOHO') initiated a significant effort to rehabilitate its aging sanitary gravity collection system. Through a series of acquisitions of surrounding utilities in the growing Central Florida area, TOHO inherited infrastructure nearing, and in many cases exceeding, its functional life resulting in increased frequency of emergency repair situations. TOHO initiated a comprehensive gravity sewer collection system rehabilitation program (Program) to address the issues it was facing. This presentation describes how TOHO worked with the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to help fund improvements to these acquired systems. Objective. Information related to TOHO's WIFIA application and adhering to loan conditions for the improvements of approximately 110,000 linear feet of gravity sewer mains, replacement and rehabilitation of approximately 1,200 manholes, and 200+ point repairs will be explained during this session. Status. As of January 2024, TOHO has completed approximately 95% of the improvements. This includes the gravity sewer mains ranging in size from 6- to 24-inch diameter, replacement and rehabilitation of manholes, and point repairs with much of the work at depths of up to 25-40 feet. The schedule looking ahead includes construction completion of the projects underway and closeout items necessary document the work performed and confirm owner and regulatory compliance. Methodology. To get ahead of increasing costs, regulatory considerations, and customer dissatisfaction associated with the challenges of maintaining an aging collection system, TOHO embarked on a comprehensive program to review the existing gravity collection system and prioritize projects for meaningful impact. This effort included assessment of existing records and collection of new data through. The new data was collected utilizing industry standards to prioritize assets based on criticality which included high consequence gravity interceptors, gravity mains within primary roadways, and mains within known high infiltration areas of the system. Once the critical nature of the effort was understood, TOHO developed an action plan and budget to begin addressing the major issues and pursued funding through WIFIA. TOHO engaged in the application process and in 2020 was awarded a loan for an approximately $82M program with a 49/51 percentage split. This provided TOHO with the ability to accelerate the rehabilitation program with a goal of completion within 5 years from initiation of the loan. Additionally, WIFIA documentation was collected and submitted to meet loan conditions. WIFIA loans are federally funded and, at the time required adherence to regulations such as the American Iron and Steel Act (AIS) and the Davis-Bacon Act. Compliance with all regulations was strongly monitored throughout the loan duration. The Program also included the need to address unforeseen emergencies within the gravity collection system. For these emergencies, a stage-gate process was utilized to facilitate proper decision-making and logical completion of the work utilizing available resources undertaking the critical work within the Program. Communication between TOHO, the engineer-of-record, nearly ten contractors, stakeholders and residents throughout the Program was paramount for its successful completion, which set the stage for continuation of the rehabilitation beyond the performance period of the initial WIFIA program. TOHO's efforts and rapid implementation of this program throughout this 5-year performance period included the establishment of a Program Management Office (PMO) to facilitate and track the design, bidding, and construction. Findings and Significance. To date, TOHO has completed nearly 40 projects, resulting in successful rehabilitation and replacement of over 110,000 linear feet of gravity sewer mains ranging in size from 6- to 24-inch diameter, replacement and rehabilitation of approximately 1,200 manholes, and 200+ point repairs with much of the work at depths of up to 25-40 feet. The ability to leverage and comply with WIFIA funding were significant pieces to TOHO's program.