IA DNR Report Wastewater Plant
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Fields of Opportunities
STATE OF IOWA
THOMAS J. VILSACK, GOVERNOR
SALLY J. PEOERSON, LT. GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
JEFFREY R. VONK, DIRECTOR
CERTIFIED MAIL
December 15, 2005
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Sl.
Dubuque, IA 52001
ATTN: Honorable Mayor & City Council
RE: City of Dubuque Wastewater Collection System Inspection
NPDES Permit #: 3126001
Dear Honorable Mayor & City Council:
Enclosed is the report of the recent inspection of the above facility conducted by Sue Miller of
the Field Office #1 staff.
We believe you will find the report self-explanatory and strongly encourage you to take action on
all the requirements listed at the end of the report. We are especially concerned about the
capacity of the sanitary sewer collection system upstream of the Key Way area. Within 30 days,
the City must submit a report of an evaluation as to whether the problem with the. Key Way
sanitary sewer system can be corrected by III reduction alone. If it cannot, then the City must
submit a plan of action for increasing the capacity of the sanitary sewer system upstream of the
Key Way location.
If you have any questions about the inspection or report, please contact Sue Miller or myself at
this office.
Sincerely,
!Yl~ LJcA
Mike Wade
Environmental Specialist
cc: Courtney Cswercko, IDNR Wastewater Sec. (w/encl.)
Michael Van Milligan, City Manager, City of Dubuque (w/encl.)
Jon Brown, City of Dubuque Wastewater Supl. (w/encl.)
John Klosterman, City of Dubuque Public Works Supl. (w/encl.)
FIELD OFFICE #1 / 909 West Main Suite 4 / Manchester, IA 502057
563-927-2640 / FAX 563-927-2075
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
WASTEWATER TREATMENT COLLECTION SYSTEM INSPECTION
NPDES Permit #: 3126001
FACILITY INFORMATION
FACILITY PLANT GRADE:
IV
RESPONSIBLE
OPERATOR
DESIGN
CAPACITY
NOW
TREATING
RECEIVING
STREAM
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION:
INSPECTION
PERSONS
INTERVIEWED
INSPECTOR:
REVIEWER:
INSPECTlONINFORMATION
DATE THIS INSPECTION: DATE LAST INSPECTION:
10/18/05 OS/20/02
NAME:
Jon Brown
John Klosterman
CITY:
Dubu ue
GRADE:
IV
STATE:
Iowa
ZIP: PHONE:
52001 563/589-
CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
1671
AVERAGE MGD:
17.32
AVERAGE MGD:
MAXIMUM MGD:
23.24
MAXIMUM MGD
POUNDS BOD/DAY:
24400
POUNDS CBOD/DAY:
PE (BOD):
146108
PE (BOD):
PERIOD REVIEWED:
1/1/02-10/0/05
POPULATION SERVED:
52,895
PURPOSE:
Routine Com
Mississippi River A, B(WW)
Activated sludge
AUTHENTICATION
ental Specialist
TITLE:
Wastewater Superintendent
Public Works Su erintendent
* Explain in Comments and Recommendations Section
DATE:
I;) /5 OS
DATE:
I,). -J ~ -0 r
Dubuqu!l Wastewater Collection System Inspection
NPDES Permit #: 3126001
Inspection Date: 10/18/05
Page 2
FACILITY EVALUATION:
COLLECTION SYSTEM
Operation & Maintenance - All combined sewer overflows have been eliminated except one, which is
located on Reeder Street. (See map.)
Physical Condition - The City televises the sanitary sewers during all new and reconstruction street
projects. Problem areas are identified in a written maintenance plan.
Reeder St. Storm/sanitary sewer - Mr. Klosterman made us aware that there is a potential for a sanitary
to crossover to storm water discharge in a sewer located along Reeder Street near Mercy Hospital. The
sewer pipe is divided, carrying storm water on one side and sanitary waste on the other. The potential
exists for sanitary waste to enter the storm water side in a manhole. If this happens it would be considered
an illegal discharge.
Infiltration/Inflow - 1/1 continues to be a problem in the Key Way area. The City has done flow monitoring
and door-to-door inspections for illegal connections in this part of town, but the problem remains. The result
is that the line that serves the Key Way area and the west part of town experiences frequent bypasses
during rain events. The following is a list of reported bypasses since the last compliance inspection.
Date Est. Quantity Location Cause
8/18/05 50-100 gallons W. Locust 2" rainfall and partially blocked
line
4/04/05 unknown quantity 2325 Coates & 742 Peru Rd vandalism blocked manhole
6/30/04 1,000 qallons 4792 Camelot Drive blocked line
5/30/04 30,000-40,000 Key Way Drive 2" rainfall
qallons
5/12/04 unknown quantity 3212 Pennsylvania Ave. blocked pipe
11/23/04 2,000 qallons Key Way Drive 3" rainfall
11/03/03 50,000-70,000 Key Way Drive 3"-4" rainfall
qallons
4/30/03 (6" pump ran for 5 Key Way Drive 3"-4" rainfall
hours
1/06/03 Quantity not N. Grandview and 32"0 plugged line
reported,
6/04/02 (6" pump ran for Key Way Drive heavy rainfall in 2 days
23.5 hours)
6/04/02 6" pump ran for 10 Key Way Drive heavy rainfall in 2 days
hours
Bypasses as the result of a precipitation event with an intensity or duration greater than that of a storm with
a return period of two years (see Appendix A) should not occur. Rainfall data from Iowa State University
indicates that the rainfall events associated with the Key Way bypasses occurred during rainfall events with
intensity and duration that are more frequent than a two-year return period. Rainfall data can be accessed
at the following website: http://wepP.mesonet.aqron.iastate.edu/
The City conducted a sanitary sewer study in 1999, the results of which were submitted to this office.
Significant 1/1 removal was accomplished at that time. An update was submitted in 2001 that outlined more
plans for 1/1 removal. A 1994 memo, from Michael Koch to Michael Van Milligan, contained in the 1999
study states that the capacity of the sanitary sewer upstream of the Kensington and Key Way area is "only
1.61 million gallons per day." There has been significant growth in the west end of the City of Dubuque
since 1994. The City must evaluate whether the problem with this line can be corrected by 1/1 reduction
alone. If it cannot, then the City must submit a plan of action for increasing the capacity of the sanitary
sewer system upstream of the Key Way location.
Dubuque Wastewater Collection System Inspection
NPDES Permit #: 3126001
Inspection Date: 10/18/05
Page 3
LIFT STATION(S)
Operation and Maintenance- The City of Dubuque maintains the following 11 lift stations:
1. Kerper Boulevard- This lift station is located in a building in the median of Kerper Blvd. The pumps
were being replaced in this lift station the day of this inspection. The two pumps are 15 hp turbines.
The lift station has no high level alarm and is not connected to the SCADA system at the treatment
plant. There is an overflow at this lift station identified on the NPDES permit as Outfall 005.
2. Dog Track- This lift station is located south of the US 151 bridge near the marina. The pumps and
controls at this lift station are located below ground. There is an overflow at this lift station that
is not listed as an outfall on the facility NPDES permit. We also noted that a water hydrant is
located near the lift station. A hose connected to this hydrant was in the wet well. The lift station
has no high level alarm and is not connected to the SCADA system at the treatment plant.
3. Cedar Street- This lift station contains 3-350 hp turbine, flow-variable pumps. The speed of the
pumps is regulated by a liquid rheostat. Mr. Brown reported that the Cedar St. lift station is
scheduled to be refurbished by next fall. The lift station has no high level alarm and is not
connected to the SCADA system at the treatment plant. There is an overflow at this lift station
identified on the NPDES permit as Outfall 002.
4. Terminal Street- This lift station contains 3-350 hp turbine, flow-variable pumps. The speed of the
pumps is regulated by a liquid rheostat. The lift station has no high level alarm and is not
connected to the SCADA system at the treatment plant. There is an overflow at this lift station
identified on the NPDES permit as Outfall 003.
5. Granger Creek- This lift station serves the area south of the City including the Technology Park.
Wastewater from the Granger Creek lift station.
6. Catfish Creek- This lift station pumps wastewater that is collected from the entire west end of the
City from Grandview Avenue to the new industrial park on Seippel Road. Field Office records show
that this lift station was rebuilt in 2000. The lift station is equipped with three, 2,500 gpm
submersible pumps. There is an overflow at this lift station identified on the NPDES permit as
Outfall 004.
The following stations were not inspected during this visit:
7. Bradley Street- This lift station is located in a residential yard. It has no alarm, but is checked
weekly by City personnel. There is an overflow at this lift station identified on the NPDES permit as
Outfall 006.
8. Perry Street- This lift station is located in a residential yard. It has no alarm, but is checked weekly
by City personnel. There is an overflow at this lift station identified on the NPDES permit as Outfall
007.
9. Asbury Plaza- This lift station, which is equipped with two, 215 gpm submersible pumps, was
constructed in 2002. The lift station has an audio-visual alarm.
10. Arboretum Drive- This lift station, which is equipped with two, 325 gpm submersible pumps,was
constructed in 2001. The lift station has an audio-visual alarm.
11. Cedar Cross Road- This lift station is located in a commercial area. The lift station has an audio-
visual alarm.
The City must notify the Department of ill! outfalls on any applications submitted. If there are other outfalls
that exist but are not listed on the facility NPDES, the City must submit a list that includes the locations of
each outfall to Courtney Cswercko, DNR Wastewater NPDES Permits Section.
Dubuque Wastewater Collection System Inspection
NPDES Permit #: 3126001
Inspection Date: 10/18/05
pageA
SUMMARY OF REQUIRMENTS
1. Within 30 davs, the City must submit a report of an evaluation as to whether the problem with the Key
Way sanitary sewer system can be corrected by III reduction alone. If it cannot, then the City must
submit a plan of action for increasing the capacity of the sanitary sewer system upstream of the Key
Way location.
2. The City must notify the Department of.ill! outfalls on any applications submitted. If there are other
outfalls that exist but are not listed on the facility NPDES, within 30 davs the City must submit a list that
includes the locations of each outfall to Courtney Cswercko, DNR Wastewater NPDES Permits Section,
502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0034.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Department strongly recommends that the Reeder Street dual storm/sanitary sewer piping be
eliminated to prevent the potential for illegal discharges.
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Environmental Protection[567]
Ch 64, p.25
RAINFALL INTENSITY - DURATION - FREQUENCY CURVES
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Fields of Opportunities
STATE OF IOWA
THOMAS J. VILSACK, GOVERNOR
SALLY J. PEDERSON, LT. GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
JEFFREY R. VONK, DIRECTOR
CERTIFIED MAIL
December 16, 2005
City of Dubuque
50 W 131h Sl.
Dubuque, IA 52001
ATTENTION: Mayor and City Council
RE: NOTICE OF VIOLATION of NPDES Permit Limits
NPDES Permit No. 5307001
After reviewing the monthly operation reports for your wastewater facility, several effluent
violations were noted since January 1, 2002. Please refer to your facility NPDES permit for
permit limits.
The following permit violations were noted for fecal coliform in 2005:
REPORTED VALUE
September
October
2,200 organisms/1 OOml
410 organisms/1 OOml
The following violations were noted for fecal coliform in 2004:
REPORTED VALUE
October
3000 organisms/1 OOml
The following violations were noted for fecal coliform in 2003:
REPORTED VALUE
June 240 organisms/1 OOml
Field Office 1, 909 West Main Suite 4, Manchester, IA 52057
563/927-2640 FAX 563/927-2075
Dubuque WWTF NOV
December 16, 2005
Page 2 of 4
The following violations were noted for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in 2005:
REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE
7- Day Avq. 30-Day Avq. 7- Day Avq.
Concentration Concentration Mass
February 134 mg/l 56 mg/l 9925 #/day
September 153 mg/l 47 mg/l 11790 #/day
October 75 mg/l 37 mg/l NA
November 242 mg/l 67 mg/l 14951 #/day
The following violations were noted for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in 2004:
REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE
7- Day Avq. 30-Day Avq. 7- Day Avq.
Concentration Concentration Mass
March 97 mg/l 40 mg/l 9741 #/day
December 93 mg/l 36 mg/l NA
The following concentration violations were noted for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in 2003:
REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE
7- Day Avq. 30-Day Avq, 7- Day Avq.
Concentration Concentration Mass
April 77 mg/l 44 mg/l NA
May 47 mg/l NA NA
September 70 mg/l NA NA
November 55 mg/l NA 8220 #/day
The following concentration violations were noted for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in 2002:
REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE REPORTED VALUE
7- Day Avq, 30-Day Avq. 7- Day Avq,
Concentration Concentration Mass
January 132 mg/l 44mg/l 7320 #/day
June 126 mg/l 35 mg/l NA
August 88 mg/l NA 9903 #/day
Dubuque WWTF NOV
December 16, 2005
Page 3 of 4
The following concentration violations were noted for 5-Day Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen
Demand (CBODs) for 2005:
February
September
November
REPORTED VALUE
7- Dav AV\l.
Concentration
44 mg/I
45 mg/I
82 mg/I
REPORTED VALUE
30- Dav AV\I.
Concentration
NA
NA
26 mg/I
The following concentration violations were noted for CBODs for 2003:
September
REPORTED VALUE
7- Dav AVQ.
Concentration
61 mg/I
The following concentration violations were noted for CBODs for 2002:
June
REPORTED VALUE
7- Dav AVQ.
Concentration
49 mg/I
The following concentration violations were noted for Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) for 2005:
April
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Concentration
0.45 mg/I
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Mass
28 #/day
The following concentration violations were noted for TRC for 2004:
May
June
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Concentration
0.48 mg/I
0.48 mg/I
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Mass
46 #/day
28.01 #/day
The following concentration violations were noted for TRC for 2003:
July
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Concentration
0.39 mg/I
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Mass
29 #/day
Dubuque WWTF NOV
December 16, 2005
Page 4 of 4
The following concentration violations were noted for TRC for 2002:
June
REPORTED VALUE
Dailv Maximum
Mass
32 #/day
In addition to the above listed violations, annual effluent toxicity tests results were not
conducted for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2004.
It has also been brought to our attention that the City has not submitted the total dissolved
solids (TDS) and chloride tests required by our permitting section to complete the renewal of the
NPDES permit for the Dubuque wastewater plant. Please submit these test results as soon as
possible to Courtney Cswercko, DNR Wastewater Section, 502 E. 91h St., Des Moines, IA
50319-0034.
Within 90 davs, the City must submit a Plan of Action that includes a schedule for facility repair,
replacement, or rehabilitation needed in order to meet the facility permit limits for fecal bacteria,
total suspended solids, CBOD5, and total residual chlorine. In the meantime, the City must begin
a program of 5 fecal bacteria samples collected each month sampling during the disinfecting
season until consistent compliance with fecal coliform permit limits can be demonstrated. The
fecal limit of 200 org/1 00 ml will be based on a geometric mean of the 5 samples, not a 30-day
average. Whenever the facility is out of compliance with the effluent fecal coliform limit, the City
must notify this office immediately.
This notice does not preclude the DNR from pursuing additional enforcement action regarding
these or arlY other violations.
Sincerely,
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
/VJ ~ k/O--6Ll
Mike Wade
Environmental Specialist Senior
c: Courtney Cswercko, DNR - Wastewater Section - Des Moines
Jon Brown, Wastewater Superintendent, City of Dubuque
Michael Van Milligan, City Manager, City of Dubuque
File: WW/Dubuque
eFile: 31 WW Dubuque 101605 nltr sjm