Miller, Ron

Ron Miller has approximately 20 years of experience as a water resources engineer. He is experienced in hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, and...

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About Miller, Ron

Ron Miller has approximately 20 years of experience as a water resources engineer. He is experienced in hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, and turbulent mixing. Using the ICM hydraulic modeling software package, he calibrates and analyzes the wastewater collection system to identify inefficiencies, optimize energy, and maintain regulatory requirements. The model results are subsequently used to develop capital improvement plans that outline the infrastructure improvements required to accommodate current and future operating conditions.

Miller, Ron

Titles from this speaker

Description: Alternate: Successful Collaboration between Operations and Engineering by Leveraging...

Alternate: Successful Collaboration between Operations and Engineering by Leveraging Countywide Hydraulic Model to Improve Collection System Performance and Increase Operational Efficiencies

Abstract

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (GCDWR) recently developed a comprehensive, countywide sanitary sewer model to facilitate a holistic evaluation of the current system operations in support of a viable capital improvement program. The new countywide hydraulic model provides enhanced functionality to understand regional and local system conditions at pump stations, flow diversions, and water reclamation facilities. Operations staff are a critical component of the model development process to accurately simulate field conditions given their first-hand knowledge of the system. An overview of GCDWR collection system service area is shown in Figure 1. Using two case studies, this paper demonstrates that hydraulic modeling provides a mutually beneficial outcome through the collaboration of operations and engineering teams. These studies show that successful collaboration yields a better understanding of operational needs and capacity deficiencies. In addition, these studies illustrate the importance of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and a flow monitoring program to accurately simulate the actual system conditions.

Case Study 1: Eastside Conveyance System -- The eastside conveyance system consists of a manifolded force main that conveys flow from three regional pump stations. The force main also contains two booster pump stations with variable frequency drives (VFDs). During large, countywide rainfall events, operations staff reported that the three regional pump stations could not simultaneously operate at firm capacity without forcing the Alcovy River Pump Station (shown in Figure 1) to operate beyond the allowable operating range. The engineering team used SCADA and flow monitoring data to confirm these observations and calibrate the hydraulic model. An example of the model vs. observed pump hydrographs are shown in Figure 2. Subsequent simulations conducted using the calibrated model isolated the issue and facilitated the evaluation of several solutions, which allowed engineering and operations staff to analyze several strategies increasing understanding and enabling collaboration prior to implementation.

Case Study 2: Crooked Creek WRF Service Area -- In the second case study, the operations group collaborated with the engineering team to evaluate the emergency storage needs as well as locations vulnerable to surcharge in the event that the North Chattahoochee Pump Station (shown in Figure 1) goes offline. The Countywide hydraulic model was used to analyze the emergency storage volume requirements, the estimated time to fill the storage volume and the estimated time to reach the high-level alarm at the pump station. This information helped the operations group better understand the response time to implement operational procedures at the upstream flow diversion structures in the event of an emergency. This case study summarizes the hydraulic modeling efforts used to make informed decisions and prepare an emergency plan of action.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems Conference, June 27-30, 2023.

SpeakerMiller, Ron

Presentation time

08:30:00

11:45:00

Session time

08:30:00

11:45:00

SessionSession 15: Optimization & Modelling

Session number15

Session locationKansas City Convention Center

TopicPressurized Systems, Integrated Planning, Intelligent/Smart Sewer Systems, Asset Management and CMOM, Wet Weather Management & Control (CSOs/SSOs)

Author(s)

Miller, Ron

Author(s)A. Loo1; R. Miller1; M. Tran1; R. Patel2; C. Chan2; M. Chelupati2, 3;

Author affiliation(s)Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources1; Stantec2;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825158871

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollections

Word count22

Description: Optimizing a Collection System to Address Future Uncertainty; Applying Real-Time...

Optimizing a Collection System to Address Future Uncertainty; Applying Real-Time Controls to Mitigate the Effects of Rapid and Unprecedented Growth

Abstract

Overview Over the last few years, Gwinnett County GA, has experienced significant population growth and by 2040, Gwinnett County is projected to become Georgia's most populous county with approximately 1.5 million residents, which represents more than a 50 percent increase from today. Future planning for the sanitary sewer system is challenging. To overcome these challenges, the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (GCDWR) developed a comprehensive, countywide sanitary sewer model database to facilitate a holistic system evaluation. Using the countywide model, GCDWR identified short- and long-term solutions that provide flexibility to meet future needs while offering strategies to address uncertainties in growth. The goals of this analysis are to provide flexibility to accommodate new development and redevelopment and maintain appropriate levels of service without the costly burden of unnecessary capital improvement projects. This paper examines the implementation of Real-Time Control (RTC) at existing flow diversion structures, which is a key strategy associated with the potential solutions. The RTC implementation facilitates an adaptive management approach to flow control. When necessary, flow diversion can be introduced during emergencies or maintenance activities. The RTCs allow GCDWR to maximize the use of existing infrastructure by actively balancing flow between water reclamation facilities (WRFs); thereby eliminating the need for increased conveyance and treatment capacity in the western part of the County. It also will allow for increased flexibility to adapt to the rate of population growth in the event that it differs from current projections. Approach, Results, and Current Status GCDWR's key tool for the strategic planning is a countywide hydraulic model of the sanitary sewer collection system. This countywide model allows GCDWR to evaluate the potential benefits of balancing flow between the existing WRFs. GCDWR conducted a comprehensive evaluation using the countywide model to determine a range of different improvement combinations and the sequencing of those improvements for the next 25 years. These improvements consist of WRF expansion, deep conveyance / storage tunnel, RTC to balance flow between two WRFs, upsizing interceptors, and pump station upgrades. Over 50 improvement combinations were evaluated and resulted in five recommended solutions for leadership consideration. Figure 1 shows an example roadmap of the solution alternatives and the corresponding phasing plan. This evaluation is completed, and GCDWR leadership has been using this framework to combat the uncertainties in growth. Benefits and lesson learned The benefits and lessons learned from this analysis include: 1.Collaboration among key personnel provides a holistic understanding and establishes a common vision regarding how the future demands can be met with different alternatives, while maintaining an acceptable level of service. 2.Flexible solutions are important during uncertain times and must be integrated into the management strategy to accommodate unforeseen situations and implement viable system upgrades as well as capital and operational projects. 3.RTCs can provide significant savings in capital investments as these controls can be used as a temporary solution to delay projects or as a long-term solution to eliminate future infrastructure needs. 4.Engineering and operations staff must be engaged during the planning stages as the implementation of preferred strategies requires buy-in from both groups. 5.Open communication and mutual understanding between the planning, financial, and operations teams is necessary to overcome challenges associated with competing demands and meet the overall organization goals. Conclusion A comprehensive strategic plan with multiple solution options and alternative paths is the key to navigate unpredictable conditions. Planning efforts to date have resulted in a flexible management framework for GCDWR to mitigate uncertainties regarding future growth.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems Conference, June 27-30, 2023.

SpeakerMiller, Ron

Presentation time

09:00:00

09:30:00

Session time

08:30:00

11:45:00

SessionSession 15: Optimization & Modelling

Session number15

Session locationKansas City Convention Center

TopicPressurized Systems, Integrated Planning, Intelligent/Smart Sewer Systems, Asset Management and CMOM, Wet Weather Management & Control (CSOs/SSOs)

Author(s)

Miller, Ron

Author(s)R. Miller1; R. Patel2; C. Chan2; M. Chelupati2;

Author affiliation(s)Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources1; Stantec2;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825158879

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollections

Word count21

Base text size -

Miller, Ron

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