The Hatcher Avenue Force Main has had three sewer line breaks within the past thirteen months.  During the most recent repair response, members of the maintenance team cut out a section of the pipe for analysis  (see Attachment 1, photos of the pipe section removed).  From the sample cut it was determined that the concrete lining in the pipe had begun to deteriorate.  In an effort to promptly remediate the situation, Staff recommends that the Hatcher Avenue force main be resin lined. The estimated cost of the work to install the lining is $325,000.

Staff recommends the transfer of funds from Wastewater Reserves into the Operational Budget.  Please refer to the Attachment 2, BA 23-015 for details.

The 6-inch sanitary sewer force main in Hatcher Avenue conveys wastewater from the Valley Industrial Pump Station to a gravity sewer manhole on Hatcher Avenue, just south of Main Street.  This pump station and force main convey wastewater from several residential subdivisions (Mayfair residential, Purcellville Green, Branbury Glen, and Catoctin Meadows), industrial parks (Valley Industrial, Mayfair Industrial, Browning Court) and Woodgrove High School and Mountain View Elementary School. 

Over the past thirteen months, the Town has incurred sewer line breaks near 220 North Hatcher Avenue on three separate occasions: on October 25, 2021, March 30, 2022 and April 2, 2022.  Although the Maintenance Department was able to isolate and fix the leak in each instance, during each break an estimated 2,500-3,000 gallons of sewage reached the nearby storm drain and eventually the receiving stream (South Fork of Catoctin Creek).  There was no evidence of debris or affects to the stream and each time staff collected samples for analytical testing.  The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was notified of this line break within 24 hours of each occurrence.   We believe the force main was installed in the late 1980’s, and samples of the pipe show that the concrete lining in the ductile iron pipe has deteriorated.  

Because of the harsh environment associated with the wastewater, staff recommends lining the existing force main with a resin lining, which is resistant to wastewater gasses (which ultimately can produce acid that causes the deterioration).  Staff has obtained an estimate to line the force main, and has considered other costs associated with the lining project, such as flagging operations, pump and haul costs during the lining, etc.  We have estimated a cost of $325,000.  Because of potential delays in obtaining the lining material, we are requesting the approval of the attached budget amendment at this meeting. 

With the age and state of degradation to the pipe there is a risk of additional line breaks to the force main. With each line break sewage has the potential to be introduced into the receiving stream leading to additional warning letters being issued to the Town by DEQ.  These warning letters are accompanied by points being added against the Town in DEQ’s Compliance Auditing System (Attachment #3, warning letters).  In addition, each break requires staff time and often overtime to repair the break, as well as costs to restore the curb and gutter and pavement that are removed during the repair. 

Staff is requesting to transfer $325,000 from Wastewater Reserves in to the operations budget to cover the cost of lining the force main (Attachment #1).  The requested amount cover the cost for the materials and the work to be done to line the force main.  This project is proposed to be fully funded from Wastewater Reserves. According to fiscal policy analysis included in the FY23 budget document, the wastewater fund cash in excess of policy is $1.6 million. 

Staff will be applying for reimbursement of the project cost through DEQ ARPA funding in the Sewer Collection System (SCS) program, although award of this funding is not guaranteed.  Since SCS funding recipients are not expected to be selected until March 2023, Staff is requesting the following Budget Amendment in order to begin the force main remediation.  If the Town is awarded funding, expenses incurred within the 24 months prior to award are reimbursable. 

“I move the Town Council approve BA23-015 to appropriate $325,000 for the Hatcher Ave Force Main Relining Capital Improvement Project by use of Wastewater Fund Reserves in FY23.”