While NFIP requirements and CRS improvement represent typical municipal flood resilience drivers, a new driver gaining momentum comes from the municipal property insurance industry. Pinellas County recently selected their insurance provider for the South Cross Bayou WWTP. To reign in premiums and identify continuity of operations opportunities should the facility flood, the County completed a study covering both priorities & and then had the study's conclusions put to the test in back-to-back hurricanes in 2024. Drivers for flood resilience typically stem from specific regulatory requirements for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participation at the municipal level or additional NFIP programs, such as efforts to improve a Community Rating System point total. These drivers prioritize flood protection primarily for habitable, insured structures. However, communities across the nation also now recognize the value of flood resilience for critical community infrastructure. Depending on how communities insure that infrastructure, yet another flood resilience driver emerges - municipal property insurance. This presentation will walk participants through the flood resilience planning process undertaken by Pinellas County at the request of its insurance provider for the South Cross Bayou wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Both as an effort to maximize insurance premium efficiency and improve the WWTP's continuity of operations in a flood event, the plant engaged in its own flood resilience planning study. In this case study, we will discuss how the County's insurer evaluated the facility's flood risk and required the County to identify protection opportunities for its South Cross Bayou WWTP against the FEMA 500-year design storm. We will walk through insurer discussions and floodproofing requirements leading up to the study, the data collection and criticality analysis, the outcomes and best practices for this type of a study, along with grant funding opportunities to support resiliency improvements. The presenters will share a variety of identified flood risk reduction practices, both permanent and temporary. Notably, after the study was completed in spring of 2024, Pinellas County was directly impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With the two hurricanes just having hit in recent weeks after the study's completion, the County had not yet implemented any of the recommendations from the study, needing to incorporate the highest priorities into upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP) cycles. While Pinellas County assessed the widespread damage brought by each hurricane, fortunately no apparent flood damage occurred at the South Cross Bayou facility. However, the presenters will also include a brief synopsis of how the recommended flood resilience practices and efforts might have fared if either of the storms had caused the characterized flooding the study sought to assess and provide recommendations to mitigate.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and physical modeling are frequently used in tandem during the project design and evaluation to maximize confidence that the system will perform as designed. In some cases, this can facilitate a comparison of methods. This paper presents a comparative analysis of CFD and physical modeling for six proposed vortex drop shafts that are part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Drainage Tunnels project. The study aims to evaluate the reliability of CFD as a design tool by benchmarking its performance against physical models, with a focus on replicating hydraulic behaviors. Using the k-omega SST turbulence model, the research examines critical aspects such as flow patterns, air entrainment and detrainment processes, and overall hydraulic efficiency in these structures. The analysis delves into key parameters affecting CFD accuracy, including the impact of mesh resolution, turbulence schemes, outlet boundary conditions, and surface roughness. By investigating these factors, the paper highlights how precise numerical setups can influence the ability of CFD to reproduce physical model results effectively. The study focused on air entrainment and detrainment phenomena, which are essential for the proper functioning and safety of vortex drop shafts. However, these phenomena were excluded from the final simulations due to discrepancies caused by the bubble size in the air entrainment model. Further study by Flow Science has provided insights into refining the setup, suggesting that adjustments to bubble size in Flow-3D could improve alignment between CFD and physical model results. The paper also provides a detailed account of the design evolution of the drop structures, tracing the transition from initial conceptual ideas to finalized designs. This progression explores efforts to reduce swirling in the deaeration tunnel, a feature where physical models indicated it likely does not impact performance significantly. This progression showcases the iterative process of using CFD and physical modeling to refine hydraulic performance metrics and ensure optimal operational efficiency. The study evaluates these design changes by assessing their impact on hydraulic efficiency and structural performance, demonstrating the importance of integrating both modeling approaches for engineering success. Finally, the research seeks to address a fundamental question: Can CFD serve as a reliable and efficient alternative to physical modeling for drop structure design in industrial applications? While CFD performs effectively in the approach channel, vortex generator, and drop shaft, uncertainties remain in highly turbulent flow zones, such as at the bottom of the structure. However, in the deaeration tunnel, CFD seems reliable for bulk flow patterns. The findings suggest that CFD models should always be performed for vortex drops, with physical models added only where CFD blind spots-such as air entrainment and detrainment-are crucial. By synthesizing findings from numerical simulations and physical tests, the paper underscores the potential of CFD to complement or even replace traditional physical modeling in specific scenarios. The insights gained from this study emphasize the value of combining advanced simulation techniques with physical validation, offering a roadmap for future design and optimization of hydraulic structures.

Purpose: This paper will illustrate how one City used strategic planning tools to improve system redundancy and resilience through optimal use of existing infrastructure and strategic capital improvement investments. Benefits of Presentation: Attendees to this presentation will learn methods for integrating climate change and resilience into long-term planning. Attendees will also be able to describe the challenges associated with applying existing planning assumptions that have not been updated to reflect changes in construction practices and improved water conservation technologies. Finally, attendees will learn how the City is phasing the improvements to meet future growth and balance funding priorities. Abstract: The City of Daytona Beach's (City) wastewater collection system serves more than 80,000 customers on Florida's Atlantic coast. This system is now facing rapid growth and expansion in tandem with new development, particularly in the western portion of its service area where the flows are treated by the Westside Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WRWRF) (permitted capacity of 15 million gallons per day). Meanwhile, the eastern portion of the City, which is experiencing minimal growth and re-development, is primarily served by the 13 mgd Bethune Point Water Reclamation Facility (BPWRF). In the past, the City considered retiring the BPWRF because of its vulnerable coastal location and limited space for expansion, in combination with its renewal and replacement (R&R) needs. However, the City's 2020 Wastewater Master Plan raised concerns regarding the near-term treatment capacity of the WRWRF and redundancy/reliability for emergency situations. More specifically, the City's population was projected to increase by 93 percent through 2040, particularly within the WRWRF's fast-growing service area. At that rate, the City's wastewater flows are projected to more than double from 12.6 mgd to 26.1 mgd with most of this increase to be treated at the WRWRF. At the rate estimated within the master plan, the capacity of WRWRF would be exceeded by 2025. Meanwhile, wastewater flows to the BPWRF were projected to be less than 6 mgd through 2040. In other words, the BPWRF has excess permitted treatment capacity, as well as infrastructure, that could be utilized to also serve a portion of the WRWRF's service area if the City were to consider flow diversion. As it currently exists, the City's collection system is equipped with the operational flexibility to temporarily divert flows from the WRWRF to the BPWRF through existing piping and a master re-pump lift station. A permanent diversion requires replacing an existing 16-inch/24-inch force main with a 30-inch force main and significantly rehabilitating the BPWRF's assets; however, it will allow the City to shift approximately 5 mgd from the WRWRF to the BPWRF to maximize the use of the City's existing infrastructure and free up capacity at the WRWRF to reliably serve near-term growth. With this potential in mind, the City conducted a flow diversion study that examined the most cost-effective solution for the City's future capacity needs. This study centered around the evaluation of three potential scenarios, which accounted for different alternatives: - Scenario 1, No Change: Expand the WRWRF to address future growth while maintaining the BPWRF. - Scenario 2, Full Diversion to the WRWRF: Divert all flow from the BPWRF to the WRWRF, expand the WRWRF, and retire the BPWRF from service. - Scenario 3, Partial Diversion to the BPWRF: Divert selected lift stations from the WRWRF to the BPWRF and extend the WRWRF's operation to serve new growth while delaying expansion. After assessing each WRF's condition and limitations and completing hydraulic modeling of the collection system under the potential scenarios, Scenario 3 Partial Diversion was the most feasible alternative in optimizing the City's available treatment capacity, safeguarding flexibility for diversion between two plants during emergencies, and protecting historical capital investments made to the BPWRF, all at the lowest planning level comparative cost. With this study, the City developed renewed rehabilitation goals for the BPWRF, which focus on reinforcing its equipment and infrastructure's resiliency to elevated design standards to protect against sea-level rise and extreme wet weather events. Status of Completion: The Master Plan was completed in 2020. While development is occurring at the pace projected in the Master Plan, flows are lower due to better conservation practices and technologies in the new construction. However, the City is still anticipating the need for these facilities, and has been actively implementing strategies outlined in this plan. Design and construction of critical infrastructure to complete the diversion is underway, including rebuilding a pump station and upsizing a force main. Work will soon begin on improvements to the BPWRF so that it can receive and treat the additional flows. A This presentation reviews the process by which the City balanced the complex and often opposing needs of two WRFs at either end of an extensive wastewater collection system; one (the WRWRF) struggled to keep up with growth in a newer, sprawling suburban area while the other (BPWRF) had unused capacity but significant rehabilitation needs. The flow diversion study and its final recommendation exemplify how a single strategy can maximize the strengths and meet the needs of both WRFs while setting off a chain of clear-cut, prioritized capital projects that cohesively work towards overall system optimization, resiliency, and redundancy.

Background: York Region, Ontario, Canada located north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is one of the fastest growing Regional municipalities in Canada. Rapid growth along with aging infrastructure required the Region to develop a unique solution continue to service the population and provide redundancy in its sewage system. York Region retained GHD to develop a sustainable and innovative solution to provide the new force main through a highly urbanized city with environmentally sensitive areas. The new sewer force mains (FM's) would connect three Regional pump stations and would provide redundancy in the system which currently has only a single force main nearing 37 years of age. The system is at great risk since it has no standby FM and extremely limited maintenance access to significant portions located within the East Holland River floodplain. Rapid growth has also created significant utility congestion and interferences. Furthermore, additional hardships exist with the environmental restrictions placed on FM's construction alongside the Bailey Ecological Park. To address these challenges the design team undertook a detailed risk assessment and analyzed the impact of multiple construction methods. Multiple design scenarios were produced to evaluate costs, property impacts and limitations of trenchless technologies. The analysis demonstrated that the use of trenchless technologies would have the least social and environmental impact. After rigorous analysis, the design team concluded that micro tunneling 5.6 km (3.36miles) would be the most technically viable and cost-effective solution. Solution: York Region embarked on one of the longest sewage Micro tunnel (MT) projects in Canada's history. This project incorporates construction of a 1050mm (42') diameter sewage FM to be constructed within a precast concrete tunnel liner that traverses 5.6 kms (3.48 miles) across highly urbanized development and environmentally sensitive lands (refer to figure 1). Trenchless technology became imperative due to significant community fatigue associated with the recent construction of a new transit system and the need to construct along the sensitive Bailey Ecological Park and multiple crossing of the east Holland River. The designed tunneled portions included ten (10) shafts with several tunneled sections featuring compound curves with drive lengths up to 830 metres (2730 ft.). Following the tender process, the contractor Ward and Burke Microtunnelling Ltd. proposed even longer drive lengths up to 1132 meters (3715 ft.) in eight (8) shafts. With the project objective and challenges in mind, the Region's Capital Delivery Group requested a team of innovative thinkers from environmental planning, engineering infrastructure and the water construction industry to develop a sustainable and viable solution for the community. The preferred solution involved connecting three large sewage pump stations within the Town of Newmarket. Industry leading design and state of the art micro tunnelling methodology would need to be married together to maximize the spacing of work compounds and their respective tunnel shafts. During the design, the Region assembled a technical expert panel from the tunnelling industry to validate, enhance the design solution as well as provide confidence to proceed with long MT drive lengths under various geotechnical conditions. This collaborative effort successfully built confidence in the design of long curved tunnel drives, compact shaft compounds, need for an effective Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) and optimization of the Region's capital cost estimate. Each of the project tunnel drives exceeded the minimum 320 meters (1050 ft.) in length with the longest drive in excess of 830 metres (2730 ft.). The allowable tunnel size ranged in diameter between 2.25 metres (7.4 ft.) to 2.50 metres (8.2 ft.) internal diameter to construction of the new 1050 mm (42') FM and to allow for construction industry flexibility with machine availability. The geotechnical conditions would require new or newly refurbished microtunnel boring machines (MTBMs) with hardened cutting tools, hardened face, advanced survey technology and interjack segmental pipe thrusting system. Additionally, the tunneling machine was specified to include the ability to perform compressed air intervention at the face to change tooling. The project began construction in summer of 2019 and is expected to reach completion by 2021. The community participated in the design process and are satisfied with the reduced construction disruption. The local Conservation Authority guidelines and environmental protection requirements to construct within a critical river floodplain were satisfied. Conclusions: The project was tendered in spring 2019 resulting in the award to Ward and Burke Microtunnelling Ltd. in the amount of $110M CAD ($73.4M USD). The use of MTs for large diameter FMs with extended drive lengths is a feasible solution to minimize community and utility disruption while offering both schedule and cost advantages. Collaboration with the construction industry by conducting effective technical expert panel sessions during the design phase led to a more reliable design and more accurately assessed capital costs.

Designing for resiliency can be challenging for any project due to factors like additional cost and complexity, but can be especially challenging when the existing system is stressed. The entirety of the City of Boulder's wastewater is conveyed to the City's Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) by three pipelines: a 42-inch interceptor from the west, an 18-inch inverted siphon crossing beneath Boulder Creek adjacent to the WRRF from the north, and an 18-inch aerial crossing over Boulder Creek to the WRRF from the north. The WRRF is surrounded by a FEMA-certified levee to protect it from flooding during major storm events, such as the 2013 flood. The existing interceptor was built in 1968 and follows Boulder Creek. The year following its installation, a flood caused the creek to jump it's banks and washed portions of the interceptor out, rendering a brand new wastewater facility inoperable for several weeks. This nearly happened again in the flood of 2013, when the line was exposed (Figure 1), but remained intact after crews diverted the creek back into its banks. These pipelines are known to be in poor, corroded condition, and are at risk of hydraulic overloads due to inflow and infiltration caused by extreme rainfall events. This case study reviews how the project team prioritized system resiliency when developing a long-term program to improve the City's critical wastewater pipelines, and lessons learned during the construction of these improvements. First, the team completed a condition assessment of the existing aerial crossing of Boulder Creek, then conducted a risk management assessment to identify the overall risk of maintaining the existing crossing with respect to potential system shocks such as flooding and wildfire. This led to the project team identifying an inverted siphon alignment that provides the City with the flexibility to retire the aerial crossing in the future to mitigate the risk of a catastrophic failure. Furthermore, after completion of the scour analysis of Boulder Creek to inform the siphon design, the City incorporated bank armoring improvements into the project that have the dual benefit of protecting the replacement siphon while addressing needed improvements identified in the stormwater master plan. Second, the team assessed multiple design alternatives before determining that the cost of rehabilitating the existing interceptor was justified by the significant benefits in added wastewater volume conveyance and system redundancy. This led to the design of a flow junction and diversion structure at the beginning of the new interceptor, which also will allow the City to safely complete maintenance activities to either pipeline while flow is diverted to the other pipeline. In effect, the program constructed 2.5 miles of nearly fully redundant pipeline geographically separated from the existing main, so the impacts of severe flooding can be mitigated. The City then phased the project as shown in Table 1 and Figure 2. Third, the design of the new 54-inch interceptor necessitated improvements to an earthen embankment dam. This was achieved by raising the crest of the dam and with special design features for the new pipeline to accommodate the shallow depth of cover. Furthermore, the junction of all three pipelines within the WRRF was designed to limit risk of pipeline surcharge, accommodate the shallow headworks elevation, comply with the existing FEMA-certified levee, and to accommodate the existing yard piping. A unique component of this project involves construction of a new interceptor segment adjacent to a rural community whose water supply is served by individual shallow drinking water wells. Hydrogeologic modeling showed a risk of construction dewatering impacting their water supply. A long drive (1,480 foot) microtunnel was incorporated into the design that could be installed without dewatering and was completed without any impacts to that community. Finally, working with the contractor during construction of the project, additional opportunities were identified to improve the resiliency of the pipelines, including additional embankment armoring of the new interceptor as it passed near ponds within the critical wetland area. Improvements to the constructability of the design were also identified including the dam, shallow pipeline, and siphon encasement beneath Boulder Creek. Through a thoughtful approach focused on long-term resiliency, the project team successfully prioritized, designed, and constructed infrastructure that improved the hardiness of the City's entire pipeline system entering the WRRF.

The rural communities and small towns of Virginia's Eastern Shore have traditionally utilized septic systems for their wastewater treatment needs. With the regions notoriously high water tables and corrosive soil conditions, these systems can often leak and fail over time. To limit groundwater contamination and improve the regions wastewater treatment systems, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) has recently completed a regional small community collection system on the Eastern Shore. This extensive design-build construction project included the installation of over 30 miles of 4-inch through 12-inch sewer force mains, over 50 horizontal directional drills (HDD), complex hydraulic modeling, construction of 5 new pump stations, modifications to 3 other stations and complex environmental / historical permitting and research. This project conveys sewer flows from numerous small towns to the regional HRSD Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the water will be properly treated with modern technology before being discharged to coastal waters. Through this project and other local efforts, the picturesque towns of Wachapreague, Onancock and Exmore have been updating their sewer systems from old septic tank technology to modern collection systems including hundreds of grinder pumps and low-pressure force mains. As most of the region still utilizes well water for their drinking water supply, this project not only will improve each resident's sewer treatment, it will improve drinking water quality by eliminating the risks and impacts of leaking septic systems. By improving coastal groundwaters and improving sewer treatment effluent, the project will have regional and even national impact through its positive effects to the regional coastal aquaculture and most importantly the world-famous Chesapeake Bay crab, oyster and clam populations. The coastal nature of this broad project made for some challenging engineering and construction. The water table was essentially at the ground surface which complicated excavation and pump station wet well designs. The regions narrow roadways are maintained by the Virgina Department of Transportation (VDOT) which required the collection system piping to be primarily installed via HDD. The area is also subject to regular hurricane and nor-easter flooding, which required significant flood protections and storm hardening for the new infrastructure. These new Eastern Shore facilities will greatly benefit the regions residents, tourists, farmers, fisherman and anyone in the County who enjoys its world-famous Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, steamed clams or oysters on the half shell. This presentation will be of great interest to all small communities, Coastal communities, rural Counties, utility owners of any size and any contractor or engineer interested in the design-build process and the complex coordination between stakeholders that such projects require.

Purpose: This presentation will be on the modeling lifecycle whether stormwater or collection system. From having no model to building your first hydraulic model all the way to having a model maintenance program. This will be done by looking at the four main phases of the process including example on how those phases can be used to deliver stormwater improvements. Benefit: Many presentations on hydraulic modeling whether sanitary, stormwater or combined system show the completed model and the work that was involved in developing the model. Some even show the outcomes and uses of those models. However, few show the solutions available to a municipality to resolve issues when they have no model and how that can set them up for modeling in the future. In addition, committing to building a model can be challenging and getting buy-in even harder so this presentation will show an example of dipping your toes in through a pilot project. Finally, on top of all this the presentation will show a models greatest benefits, and that if a model can be kept alive through model maintenance it can be used for the years to come increasing its cost benefit ratio the more often and longer it gets used. Phase 1: Known issues but no model. Determining long term goals and prioritization criteria So, you have issues in your community, how do you prioritize projects? Many communities don't have a model and only have GIS information to use to determine which projects to prioritize. AtkinsRéalis (then Atkins) was hired to develop a prioritization strategy for the Henrico County's selected drainage improvement projects based on GIS data. (Project Completed) We aided them in determining long-term goals and identified and filled data gaps. Based on these we developed a Microsoft Excel-based tool shown in Figure 1 and an approach to aid in prioritizing their drainage improvement projects. This tool and approach to prioritizing projects has been rolled out to multiple municipalities across the country. Using this information these municipalities prioritized their projects and are getting them to the design phase. Critically, this phase is necessary towards making the most out of a model to determine long term goals and assessing what data a municipality wants out of a model to prioritize with. Phase 2: Building a model. Benefits and easing in with a Pilot Model. Now if you have your long-term goals and can prioritize projects based on GIS and public outreach why would you create a model? The benefit of a model is that instead of just knowing where there are issues a model lets you know why, when, and how those issues are happening. Often those are some of the most important criteria you want to prioritize with. Even then it can be hard to commit to modeling, but it is possible to get a taste by running a pilot project. Case Study: City of Baltimore, Maryland (Completion Spring 2025) The City of Baltimore (City) hired AtkinsRealis, as part of a joint venture, for a pilot project to develop stormwater models for three of the city's watersheds. The project involves: - Writing a modeling handbook for future modeling -Defining flooding criteria based on local regulations - Determining flooding issues based on criteria - Developing, testing, and cost estimating solutions to these issues Phase 3: Model completed and in use. How can you use it for your long-term goals and future issues? You now have a working and accurate model. Great what can you use it for? Here's an example: Case Study: City of Baltimore, Maryland The City and community on Wyndurst Avenue, believed the flooding was due to insufficient culvert capacity. However, the model showed that although the culvert was under capacity so was the stream upstream of the culvert. Thankfully, the model has allowed the City to weigh numerous options shown in Figure 2 and determine a path forward. Phase 4: Model getting old. How can you keep using it long-term You've been loving your model. Now the question comes up is it good forever or does it have a 'Best if used by' date? Models do get outdated as CIPs are implemented, communities grow or shrink, and the climate changes. To keep using a model a model maintenance plan will need to be implemented to keep the model accurate. Case Study: Scottish Water, United Kingdom (Completed) Scottish Water tasked AtkinsRealis, as part of a quinquennial framework, to update the Inverclyde Council's combined sewer model into a 1D-2D integrated model. This was one of numerous model updates that has occurred throughout the past few decades. Each iteration of the model has helped Scottish Water target issues more precisely as well as keep up with the population and impermeable surface growth throughout the years. The model has allowed the utility to pre-empt climate change and development issues. In 2024, Scottish Water completed construction of a Combined Sewer Overflow on the main road resolving years of flooding and spilling issues as shown in Figure 3. Conclusion: It might seem daunting to get into modeling but a model can truly benefit your community and help you reach your long-term goals. So really the question is can you afford to not have a model? It's good to fix flooding and spilling issues but how much better is it if you can know that you will be fixing the issue correctly the first time. Modeling is cheaper than digging.

Summary: The City of Austin hired K Friese & Associates (KFA) to optimize the Northwest Area regional collection system by redistributing flows among four lift stations. This effort involved expanding two lift stations, rerouting and reversing force mains, and decommissioning one lift station. Abstract: Austin Water operates 143 lift stations and 2,927 miles of wastewater pipelines. In 2018, the City of Austin selected KFA to modernize the Northwest Area's lift station network through the 'Rock Harbour Area Improvements' project. This included flow conveyance upgrades between the Boulder Lane (BL), Rock Harbour (RH), Four Points #1 (FP #1), and Four Points #2 (FP #2) lift stations. The project addressed increasing flows at BL and RH stations, planned service area growth, and outdated infrastructure. It also reduced inefficiencies by decommissioning FP #2 and reconfiguring the force mains. Initially, FP #1 and FP #2 were oversized due to early planning assumptions of high-density development. However, environmental constraints like the establishment of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve led to limited growth. Meanwhile, flows to RH and BL increased, necessitating system improvements. Previously, BL flows were pumped to RH, which received additional gravity flows from its service area before discharging to FP #2 via FP #1. This overly complex flow pattern contributed to inefficiencies. The improvements streamlined this system by expanding BL and RH lift stations, bypassing FP #2, and rerouting and reversing flows. These upgrades were implemented in phases, each designed with future projects in mind. The RH station was first expanded with pumps capable of handling interim flows and later adapted for increased capacity using a larger-diameter force main. Subsequent projects included rerouting the RH force main (RH FM), reversing an existing force main to accommodate FP #1 flows, and decommissioning FP #2. BL station upgrades were completed independently, ensuring compatibility with increased flows downstream. Key Improvements: 1. Expansion of RH lift station. 2. Construction of a new 18' RH FM to bypass FP #2. 3. Connection of FP #1 to the reversed 12' RH FM. 4. Decommissioning FP #2. 5. Expansion of BL lift station. Project Execution: The design and construction of the projects required detailed sequencing to minimize operational disruptions and construction complexities. The RH FM reroute involved three interdependent designs: the new 18' FM to bypass FP #2, reversal of the existing 12' RH FM, and rerouted connections to FP #1. The RH lift station was expanded to accommodate these changes, with its design incorporating flexibility for future system curves. To decommission FP #2, FP #1 flows were redirected via the reversed 12' RH FM to the expanded RH lift station. Pre-design efforts ensured seamless integration of phased improvements while maintaining system functionality. Coordination between these interconnected projects was essential to avoid service disruptions and optimize efficiency. Challenges and Solutions: Several challenges emerged during the planning and execution phases, offering critical lessons: 1. Strategic Foresight: Early planning ensured the initial projects could accommodate subsequent improvements. This minimized costs and disruptions while simplifying future construction. 2. Phased Execution: Careful sequencing of the RH FM reroute project (comprising three of the five improvements) ensured prerequisite components were in place before proceeding with later phases. 3. Staffing Continuity: Staffing transitions posed risks to institutional knowledge. KFA retained the same project manager and lead engineer throughout the program, ensuring consistency. A diverse client team from Austin Water (AW), Development Services Department (DSD), and others supported continuity despite turnover. 4. Site Constraints: Limited workspace at the RH and BL stations required innovative approaches, such as phased construction, unique storage solutions, and close coordination with facility operators. 5. Infrastructure Retrofitting: Existing infrastructure was repurposed to reduce costs and timelines but introduced uncertainties due to unknown underground conditions. Record drawings and coordination with city operators helped mitigate risks. 6. Material Delays: Extended lead times for equipment like generators disrupted schedules. Lessons from the RH station informed bid evaluations for BL, including pre-purchasing and timeline adjustments. Early engagement with suppliers proved essential. Lessons Learned: The iterative nature of the project allowed the team to address issues proactively in later phases. Design refinements incorporated feedback from earlier projects, addressing material changes, site access, and installation challenges. The project also highlighted the importance of anticipating supply chain disruptions and planning buffer periods to accommodate delays. Conclusion: The integrated improvements program streamlined flow conveyance in Austin's Northwest Area, addressing current inefficiencies and planning for future growth. The project involved lift station expansions, force main rerouting, flow reversal, and decommissioning outdated infrastructure. Key achievements included strategic planning, phased execution, and adaptive design. These efforts reduced costs, improved system reliability, and provided valuable insights for managing complex wastewater improvement programs. The approach exemplifies innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions that balance operational needs, environmental constraints, and long-term development.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to gain momentum in the wastewater industry. With continued development in AI technology, the use of AI in automated defect recognition and coding of sewer lines and manholes could potentially change the way sewer collection systems are managed and maintained in the future. With more than three years into the City of Houston's use of AI in detecting and coding defects in sewer lines, this presentation looks to highlight the challenges and lessons learned. The City of Houston, TX is currently under a consent decree to televise and inspect all the sewer lines in the City over a ten (10) year period, develop a plan to address any major defects found during the inspection and execute the plan. The volume of the lines involved require innovative ways to expedite the inspection and defect coding and subsequently speed up the process of evaluating cost effective and appropriate rehabilitation/repair methods to address the identified major defects. To help achieve this goal, the City of Houston has deployed the use of AI in detecting and coding defects in sewer lines following an evaluation of multiple AI platforms to determine accuracy and consistency of results as well as efficiency (turnaround time). Following the evaluation, one platform was selected for implementation. This presentation presents the challenges and lessons learned from the implementation and use of the selected AI platform over a period of a year and half, and the integration of the results into the City's sewer rehabilitation and management as well as Consent Decree reporting. With the drive for newer, quicker, cheaper and efficient ways to accurately detect and code defects in sewer collection systems, this presentation will provide collection system operators with a quick overview of AI technologies currently available on the market and provide a basis for discussion with their staff on possible use with the management as well as operation and maintenance of their respective sewer systems.

The Dugway Brook stream restoration study set out to determine the feasibility of creating habitat and reducing flooding in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland. The study focused on creating conceptual designs for resilient stormwater infrastructure, using nature-based solutions that reflected the desires of the community. Engaging the Glenville community was a cornerstone of the feasibility study, as the focus area was Glenview Park, centrally located within the neighborhood and heavily trafficked by residents of all ages. Collaboration with residents and stakeholders was essential to understand the community's identity and needs. Engagement events intended to foster a sense of ownership by community members and ensured that solutions reflected their aspirations. The Glenville neighborhood is a historically disadvantaged area, and it is no secret that underserved communities bear the burden of insufficient and outdated infrastructure. The project aimed to use habitat creation and improved flood conditions to address the disproportionate impacts of stormwater issues on underserved communities. Equitable stormwater solutions proposed in the study included: - Nature-Based Approaches: The project incorporated nature-based solutions, such as stream restoration, wetland creation, and green infrastructure to manage stormwater in a sustainable and equitable manner, while promoting habitat creation in an urban area. - Inclusive Design: The project design reflects the input received from various community groups, ensuring that the final proposed plans meet the diverse needs of the residents and reflect the community's identity. - Accessibility: Enhancements to Glenview Park, such as improved walkways, seating, signage, and lighting, are designed to be accessible to residents of all ages, including those with disabilities. Two alternatives were studied to determine their feasibility technically (to create habitat and reduce stormwater flooding), financially, (can they be afforded and funded), and socially (meeting the community's needs). Proposed solutions were vetted to ensure that the proposed elements benefit the community, including: - Habitat Creation: The improvements will create new habitats for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity and ecological health. - Flood Risk Reduction: The project aims to reduce flood risk in the Glenville neighborhood, which has historically been impacted by flooding during wet weather events. - Enhanced Public Spaces: The improvements to Glenview Park will provide residents with a safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible public space. - Community Resilience: The project fosters a true sense of ownership and promotes community resilience. Purpose This presentation will share our approach to community engagement in a feasibility study, discussing strategies implemented, themes revealed, how solutions can reflect a community, and challenges and lessons learned throughout the process. Various engagement strategies were executed to promote partnership with the public: - Workshops and Dialogues: Workshops and dialogues were conducted with various community groups, including students, senior citizens, park users, and residents. Sessions were approached through a two-way lens: to educate residents about their local infrastructure and to hear their insights, concerns, and desires. Partnerships with local council people were leveraged to diversify the information sharing approach, utilizing newsletters, emails, and web pages. - Onsite Engagement: Project team members engaged directly with residents in Glenview Park to discuss the study and gather real-time feedback. These conversations were not pre-planned and were meant to foster more organic conversations with regular park users. - Public Meetings: Public meetings were held to present the proposed plans and gather additional feedback. These served as a forum for addressing concerns and discussing the project's benefits. Meetings were coordinated with project partners, like community development corporations (CDCs), council people, and the local utility to maximize community gatherings already scheduled. - Online Survey: An online survey was used to reach a broader audience and gather feedback from residents unable to attend in-person events. Although the intention was to increase accessibility, responses were minimal. The abovementioned strategies proved more successful and engaging. The community engagement efforts revealed several themes: - The need for basic amenities, like restrooms, lighting, benches, trees, trash receptacles, and additional walking paths. - A desire for the park to reflect the community's identity and promote equitable access & prioritizing the creation of a dedicated sports field for junior football. - An interest in restoring Dugway Brook and creating stream and wetland features & provided the enhancements do not occupy the entirety of the park and create opportunities for users to interact with the water and other natural assets. Benefits of this Presentation The Dugway Brook stream restoration project offers an example of how to approach community engagement to ensure equitable design of resilient infrastructure. Lessons learned and best practices will be shared with the greater water community through this presentation, including: - Scalable Solutions: The project's use of nature-based stormwater management techniques provides a model that can be scaled and adapted to other urban areas facing similar challenges. This presentation will discuss the challenge of identifying scalable solutions within a physically limited space that reflect the community. - Community Engagement Best Practices: The project's comprehensive community engagement strategy serves as a valuable case study for involving the public in infrastructure projects and ensuring that solutions are equitable and community focused. This presentation will discuss the challenges that accompanied engaging project partners, stakeholders, and residents, and best practices for ensuring participation and accountability. Status of the Study At the time of this submittal, the Feasibility Study Report and supporting conceptual designs for the Dugway Brook stream restoration project have been completed. Community and stakeholder keenness, as well as funding procurement, will drive the decision to move the study forward to a detailed design. Concluding Thoughts The Dugway Brook stream restoration project provides a model for how community engagement can drive the successful planning and future implementation of resilient and equitable stormwater solutions. This study was successful not only because of identifying technically feasible stormwater solutions in Glenview Park, but also because those solutions reflected the voices of the community. This approach to infrastructure design creates more resilient and equitable communities, where access to quality infrastructure is prioritized and community identity is reflected. This presentation will provide valuable insight and best practices for the water industry, highlighting the importance of inclusive and sustainable infrastructure development that creates a future of equitable communities.

Purpose: Riverside Memorial Park cemetery, owned and maintained by the City of Norfolk (Virginia), is located along the Elizabeth River and was built in the early 1900s. Over the years large marine vessels passing through combined with storms have caused severe erosion and undercut the riverbank threatening several gravesites close to the steep side slopes. Working with the City, a concept for a nature-based solution was developed to stabilize the tidal shoreline and promote habitat restoration. Through permitting agency meetings and detailed design, close to an acre of tidal wetlands will be constructed. A rock sill will protect this site from future wave action and account for sea level rise. In total, approximately 1,300 linear feet of shoreline will be enhanced with this living shoreline and provide opportunities for marsh vegetation to thrive. Benefits of Presentation: This presentation will focus on nature-based solutions specifically living shorelines which provide effective solutions to support resilient communities in lieu of traditional bulkheads. For this project location, the living shoreline will reduce wave energy created by fetch and marine vessels, reduce erosion, and promote aquatic life habitat. The marsh will provide nursery habitat for aquatic invertebrates, turtles, and fish. Marsh will provide cover for animals that use the waterway, including muskrats and river otters. Marsh will also support an increase in life that inhabits the intertidal zone and is dependent on marsh vegetation, which increases the food supply for the fish, turtles, and birds. This project site and adjacent waterways will see an improvement in water quality benefits include vegetation intercepting sediments, nutrients, and contaminants in water and reducing the volume of each that reaches the open water area. A benefit of this presentation will focus on how the engineer considered site accessibility and construction methodologies to create attractive bidding documents. Status of Completion: The project was advertised for construction bid in summer 2024 and awarded in fall 2024. Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in late spring 2025 with plantings. This is far in advance of the engineer's estimated construction duration. Conclusion: A major goal of this project was to not only protect the cemetery but make design decisions that upon construction would be sustainable for the foreseeable future. This presentation will walk through the complexities of designing and constructing a living shoreline while keeping the integrity of the tombstones and gravesites fully intact. The perspective of construction access and sequencing will be discussed from both the engineer bid documents and the awarded contractor.

Climate change has been a subject of intense discussion for many years, and the effect on wet-weather events is of particular interest. EPA notes that in the U.S., nine of the top 10 years for extreme one-day precipitation events have occurred since 1996, and the occurrence of abnormally high annual precipitation totals has also increased. (https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heavy-precipitation). This is clearly an issue of water quantity and not quality. It is important to note that wet weather discharges result from many different activities: runoff from municipal surfaces, industrial sources and also from development activities. It is also important to note that wet weather discharges are often cited as a cause of (or contribution to) water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. Non-agricultural wet weather discharges are point sources and require permits to discharge. Flow is generally not regulated in permits and not considered when these water quality assessments are made. This may be due to the fact that flow is not considered to be a pollutant. Flow as a pollutant was at the center of the litigation related to the total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Accotink Creek in Virginia (see 2013 ruling Virginia Dep't of Transp. v. U.S. Envtl. Protection Agency). The court stated, 'The language of 1313(d)(1)(C) is clear. EPA is authorized to set TMDLs to regulate pollutants, and pollutants are carefully defined. Stormwater runoff is not a pollutant, so EPA is not authorized to regulate it via TMDL. Claiming that the stormwater maximum load is a surrogate for sediment, which is a pollutant and therefore regulable, does not bring stormwater within the ambit of EPA's TMDL authority. Whatever reason EPA has for thinking that a stormwater flow rate TMDL is a better way of limiting sediment load than a sediment load TMDL, EPA cannot be allowed to exceed its clearly limited statutory authority'. In a regulatory context, it seems clear that water quantity and water quality will be addressed differently given the fact the Clean Water Act in the context of TMDLs and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits focuses on regulating pollutants and flow (quantity) is not a pollutant. This seems clear based upon the Accotink decision however there are differing views. US EPA Region 1 in the 2021 Fact Sheet and Supplemental information for the draft NPDES General Permit for Small Wastewater Treatment Plants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire (MAG580000 and NHG580000) states, '2.3 Effluent Flow Requirements Sewage treatment plant discharge is encompassed within the definition of 'pollutant' and is subject to regulation under the CWA. The CWA defines 'pollutant' to mean, inter alia, 'municipal...waste' and 'sewage discharged into water.' 33 U.S.C. 1362(6). Generally, EPA uses effluent flow both to determine whether an NPDES permit needs certain effluent limitations and to calculate the limitations themselves. EPA practice is to use effluent flow as a reasonable and important worst-case condition in EPA's reasonable potential and WQBEL calculations to ensure compliance with WQSs under 301(b)(1)(C). . . . Regulating the quantity of pollutants in the discharge through a restriction on the quantity of wastewater effluent is consistent with the overall structure and purposes of the CWA'. The Fact Sheet also notes, 'EPA's regulations regarding 'reasonable potential' require EPA to consider 'where appropriate, the dilution of the effluent in the receiving water,' id 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1)(ii). Both the effluent flow and receiving water flow may be considered when assessing reasonable potential. In re Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement Dist., 14 E.A.D. 577. 599 (EAB 2010). EPA guidance directs that this 'reasonable potential: analysis be based on 'worst case' conditions. See In re Washington Aquaduct Water Supply Sys. 11 E.A.D. 565, 584 (EAB 2004)'. This would seem to indicate that EPA believes flow (quantity) can be regulated but maybe not directly. This approach of addressing flow but not directly is seen in water quality trading in Iowa. Many groups in Iowa are looking for a solution to nutrient enrichment and have noted that controlling flow is a key and this flow control will also address another serious problem, flooding. Flow plays an important role in water quality, regardless of how it is addressed in the Clean Water Act. The presentation and manuscript will discuss similar but different approaches that can be applied to control the quantity of flow and mass of pollutants and to improve water quality. The presentation will also discuss the need to address both runoff and instream impacts that deliver pollutant loads into the downstream waters. It is important to note that controlling the quantity of water also provides opportunities to address flooding concerns, which are not a driver in most CWA regulatory programs. This brings us to the approach or integrated planning. The presentation will discuss how integrating the different CWA regulatory programs (e.g., NPDES permits, 404 mitigation, TMDLs, water quality standards assessments) might provide more efficiency and improve the water quality.