HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-01-H03 SRF Environmental Info_ASR Well_PHCITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: June 1, 2020
AGENDA ITEM:On a State Revolving Fund (SRF) Environmental Information Document
for the City of Waukee Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well Project
FORMAT:Public Hearing
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The project includes the re-purposing of an existing
Jordan Aquifer source water well into an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well (ASR). The
existing well will be require re-casing and in addition a new well house building is to be
constructed along with the installation of a new pump, site piping, controls system, surface
restoration and miscellaneous associated work.
As a part of the environmental review process the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is
conducting, holding a public hearing on this proposed project is required since the City intends to
apply for funding through the State of Iowa’s State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF). An
environmental information document is attached with the project description, purpose, proposed
improvements, alternatives considered, reasons for selection of the proposed alternative and
measures taken to assess the impact of the proposed improvement.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION: Hold the Public Hearing.
ATTACHMENTS: I. Public Hearing Notice
II. Environmental Information Document
PREPARED BY:Beth Richardson
REVIEWED BY: Rudy Koester RK
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
AGENDA ITEM: H3
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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Waukee will be holding a Public Hearing to review an application for a State Revolving
Fund (SRF) loan and to make available to the public the contents of an environmental information
document and the City’s project plan. These documents include design and environmental information
related to the proposed improvements to the City’s drinking water infrastructure.
The proposed project includes re-purposing of an existing well into an Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Well. The existing well will be re-cased. A new wellhouse building is to be constructed along with
installation of a new pump, site piping, controls system, surface restoration and miscellaneous associated
work.
The purpose of this Public Hearing is to inform area residents of the community of Waukee of this
proposed action, discuss the actual cost and user fees associated with this project, and to address citizen’s
concerns, if any, with the plan.
The Public Hearing location and time are as follows*:
June 1, 2020 – 5:30 p.m.
Waukee City Hall, West Conference Room
230 W. Hickman Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
*Due to public health concerns and guidance, in accordance with Iowa Code Sections 21.4(1)(b) and
21.8, this meeting will be conducted electronically as holding the meeting in person is impossible or
impractical. However, the public is encouraged to access the meeting electronically in the manner
specified below.
The meeting shall be conducted via Zoom at the following link or phone numbers:
https://zoom.us/j/352651371
Meeting ID: 352-651-371
Or by phone:
+1 646-558-8656 or
+1 312-626-6799 or
+1 301-715-8592
All interested persons are encouraged to attend this hearing. Written comments on this proposal may
also be submitted prior to the hearing. Questions regarding this hearing or the availability of
documentation may be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at 515-978-7904.
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Why You Should Read This: The document below reviews the environmental impact likely
from a project. This project is planned to be federally funded through your tax dollars;
therefore, you are entitled to take part in its review. If you have concerns about the
environmental impact of this project, raise them now. We encourage public input in this
decision making process.
IOWA STATE REVOLVING FUND
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Applicant: City of Waukee SRF Number: FS-25-21-DWSRF-004
County: Dallas Iowa DNR Project Number: W2020-0260
State: Iowa
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION
Location: The City of Waukee is located in Dallas County, Iowa approximately is
approximately 5 miles west of Des Moines, IA.
Population: The population of Waukee according to the 2010 US Census was 13,790. The
design population equivalent for the year 2040 is 48,600.
Current Source of Water: The City of Waukee does not own or operate a water treatment
plant. Water is purchased from Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) and enters the city at
one of three locations from DMWW’s perimeter pipe network.
The first connection is at the booster station adjacent to Boone Drive just north of
University Avenue. Two 1200 gpm booster pumps are used to pump water from the
DMWW LP Moon Storage Facility into the system.
The second connection is adjacent to Waco Place, just south of University Avenue and
downstream from a water tower shared with West Des Moines and Clive. This connects
into the DMWW perimeter pipe network and flow into the Waukee system is controlled
with a flow control valve.
The final connection is near the intersection of Hickman Road and T Avenue, west of the
City. This connection was recently made onto a Xenia Rural Water District main running
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from the DMWW LP Moon Storage Facility west to the Xenia RWD system. This connection
is also controlled with a flow control valve. (Preliminary Engineering Report for ASR Well,
Waukee, Iowa, February 2020, Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.)
Current Distribution System: The majority of the water distribution system has been
constructed in the last 20 years as the City has expanded. The water mains are well looped
and have been constructed to modern standards. These include a minimum 8-inch pipe
diameter and appropriately spaced isolation valves and fire hydrants.
The City’s original water distribution system was constructed with small diameter,
generally 4-inch, pipes with minimal looping and with less than a desirable number of
isolation valves and hydrants. The majority of this original system was located in the older
parts of town and has since been replaced with minimum 8-inch diameter pipe. There are
ongoing projects to replace all remaining original 4-inch pipe within the next several years.
Water storage in the City of Waukee is provided by two water towers – the City of Waukee
water tower and a tower shared with West Des Moines and Clive. The City of Waukee
water tower is located adjacent to the intersection of R22 and University Avenue in the
western part of the City. The water tower has a capacity of 500,000 gallons and operates at
an overflow elevation of 1184 feet.
The water tower shared with West Des Moines and Clive is located along Waco Place just
south of University Avenue. This tower has a capacity of 2,500,000 gallons and operates at
an overflow elevation of 1191 feet. Water flowing from this tower first passes through a
control valve which lowers the water pressure to match the City of Waukee tower’s
overflow elevation. (Preliminary Engineering Report for ASR Well, Waukee, Iowa, February
2020, Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to increase drinking water availability during the
high use summer months and to safely and reliably operate the City of Waukee’s
drinking water system for the next 20 years.
Proposed Improvements:The proposed project includes re-purposing of an existing
well into an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well. The existing well will be re-cased. A new
wellhouse building is to be constructed along with installation of a new pump, site
piping, controls system, surface restoration and miscellaneous associated work.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Alternatives Considered: Multiple alternatives were evaluated for the purpose of
increasing drinking water availability to the City of Waukee. One alternative would
involve increasing the flow capacity of the existing connections to the DMWW system.
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Increasing the flow capacity of these connections would necessitate improving the
DMWW perimeter network to facilitate the higher required flows. These improvements
would range from the construction of larger water mains to possibly even water
treatment plant capacity improvements. Under this alternative, the City of Waukee
would also need to secure extra purchase capacity from DMWW.
Another alternative is to drill a new well for use as an ASR Well, as opposed to
repurposing the existing Jordan aquifer well as is recommended. This alternative would
also necessitate land acquisition by the City. The time for well drilling in this option
would most likely push the initial date of ASR water recovery back one year. This is not
ideal due to the City needing the additional water capacity as soon as possible. The total
estimated cost for this option is $5.0 million. (Preliminary Engineering Report for ASR
Well, Waukee, Iowa, February 2020, Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.)
Reasons for Selection of Proposed Alternative: The No-Action alternative is not viable
due to the need for additional capacity, especially during the high demand summer
months. The ASR Well will pump down and store drinking water underground within the
Jordan Aquifer during the winter months when daily water demand is low. This water will
then be re-chlorinated and pumped back into the water system during the summer
months when peak usage days are expected. The Jordan Aquifer is approximately 50 feet
thick and composed of fine-grained sandstone.
The project site was selected for the availability of land (it is already City-owned),
proximity to existing infrastructure, engineering criteria, operating considerations, capital
and operating costs, as well as minimization of the impacts to the environment.
MEASURES TAKEN TO ASSESS IMPACT
Coordination and Documentation with Other Agencies and Special Interest Groups:
The following Federal, state and local agencies were asked to comment on the proposed
project to better assess the potential impact to the environment:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
State Historical Society of Iowa (State Historical Preservation Office)
Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division
Iowa DNR Water Resources Section
Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe
Flandreau Santee Sioux
Ho-Chunk Nation
Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas
Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
Lower Sioux Indian Community Council
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Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Omaha Tribal Council
Osage Tribal Council
Otoe-Missouria Tribe
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Prairie Island Indian Community
Sac & Fox Nation of Mississippi in Iowa
Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri
Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Santee Sioux Nation
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
Spirit Lake Tribal Council
Three Affiliated Tribes Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nations
Upper Sioux Tribe
Winnebago Tribal Council
Yankton Sioux Tribal Business and Claims Committee
Dallas County Conservation
Conditions placed on the applicant by the above agencies in order to assure no
significant impact are included in the Summary of Reasons for Concluding No Significant
Impact section.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY
Construction: Traffic patterns within the community may be disrupted and above
normal noise levels in the vicinity of the construction equipment can be anticipated
during construction and should be a temporary problem. Adverse environmental
impacts on noise quality will be handled by limited hours of contractor work time during
the day. Other adverse environmental effects from construction activities will be
minimized by proper construction practices, inspection, prompt cleanup, and other
appropriate measures. Areas temporarily disturbed by the construction will be restored.
Solid wastes resulting from the construction project will be regularly cleared away with
substantial efforts made to minimize inconvenience to area residents.
Temporary air quality degradation may occur due to dust and fumes from construction
equipment. The applicant shall take reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of
visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the
proposed project (567 Iowa Administrative Code IAC 23.3(2)“c”).
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Historical/Archaeological: The State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO), the Certified
Local Government, and various Native American tribes with an interest in the area were
provided information regarding the project. The DNR has determined that this
undertaking will result in “no historic properties affected” based on the scope of the
project, the prior use of the project area, and the findings of the Phase I Archaeological
Survey conducted on the project property. The project is currently under review at the
SHPO and will only proceed as planned if a determination of either “no historic
properties affected” or “no adverse effect on historic properties” can be appropriately
reached with or without mitigation. If project activities uncover any item(s) that might
be of archaeological, historical, or architectural interest, or if important new
archaeological, historical, or architectural data should be encountered in the project
APE, the applicant should make reasonable efforts to avoid further impacts to the
property until an assessment can be made by an individual meeting the Secretary of the
Interior’s professional qualifications standards (36 CFR Part 61).
Environmental: According to the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division, the
proposed project will not interfere with any State-owned parks, recreational areas or
open spaces. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concurs that the project will not impact
wetlands. The project will not impact any wild and scenic rivers as none exist within the
State of Iowa. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Section 7 Technical Assistance website
consultation determined, and Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division agree,
that the project will not impact threatened or endangered species or their habitats.
However, if any State- or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or
communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies
and/or mitigation may be required. According to the Iowa DNR Water Resources
Section, this project will not impact the 100-year floodplain. No adverse impacts are
expected to result from this project, such as those to surface water quantity, or
groundwater quality or quantity. No significant impact to surface water quality, fish,
shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected.
Land Use and Trends: The project will not displace population nor will it alter the
character of existing residential areas. The proposed project is within the present
corporate limits of Waukee in areas zoned residential, commercial, or industrial. No
significant farmlands will be impacted. This project should not impact population trends
as the presence or absence of existing water/sewer infrastructure is unlikely to induce
significant alterations in the population growth or distribution given the myriad of
factors that influence development in this region. Similarly, this project is unlikely to
induce significant alterations in the pattern and type of land use.
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources: Fuels, materials, and various
forms of energy will be utilized during construction.
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT
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Positive environmental effects will be maintained water quality for the citizens of
Waukee. Continued growth in the City of Waukee has created the need for increased
capacity, especially during peak demand.
SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial,
commercial, agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of
population.
The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies.
The project will not impact wetlands.
The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats. If
any State- or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or communities are
found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies and/or
mitigation may be required.
The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential
areas, or convert significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes.
The project will not affect the 100-year flood plain.
The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands, or areas
of recognized scenic or recreational value.
The DNR has determined that this undertaking will result in “no historic properties
affected”. The project is currently under review at the SHPO and will only proceed as
planned if a determination of either “no historic properties affected” or “no adverse
effect on historic properties” can be appropriately reached with or without
mitigation. If project activities uncover any item(s) that might be of archaeological,
historical, or architectural interest, or if important new archaeological, historical, or
architectural data should be encountered in the project APE, the applicant should
make reasonable efforts to avoid further impacts to the property until an
assessment can be made by an individual meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s
professional qualifications standards (36 CFR Part 61).
The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality
provided the applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of
visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the
proposed project (567 IAC 23.3(2)“c”).
The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels,
surface water quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply.
The project will not have a significant impact to surface water quality, fish, shellfish,
wildlife, or their natural habitats.
The project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed above are
accurate and complete to the best to my knowledge.
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Signature of the Mayor, City of Waukee Date
Printed Name of the Mayor, City of Waukee