Getting the Public, City Staff, and Elected Officials to Understand - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Getting the Public, City Staff, and Elected Officials to Understand An overview of MS4 related issues within Duluth Erick Fronden and Ryan Granlund Utility Resources Specialists

Sediment Impacts • Utility Infrastructure • Utility Maintenance • Water Quality • Aquatic Life

Public Perception  Sediment control isn’t something most people think about  Builders typically will try to work without control measures to save cost  Track out is one of the only effective complaints  Public is becoming more aware

Discussion  Discussion with homeowners goes a long way  Builders will begin to know what is expected  Discussion at permit process

City of Duluth Utility Operations Water  Water Breaks  Valve and Hydrant Replacements  New Construction  Pipebursting  Gas  Leaks  New Construction  Regulator Stations  Sanitary  Breaks  Collapses  Cleaning  I&I reduction  Storm  Ditching  Infrastructure Repair  Ponds  BMP Maintenance 

Goals Don’t Always Include Clean Water  Water Main breaks require immediate response  City Staff is in emergency mode to restore lost utility service  Average of 141 main breaks per year in 2000-2010  2010-2020 main breaks slightly less  Large amount of sediment loss during a main break  City Staff now required to carry sediment control devices in service trucks to keep de-watering clean

BMP Maintenance  City Staff needs to juggle infrastructure failures and other tasks  BMP Maintenance can fall behind when infrastructure is failing

Improvements  Better Communication of maintenance priorities  Document and track inspection  Organization  Coordinate directly with construction staff

Elected Officials  Elected officials rarely come from utility background  Budget constraints can put increased pressure on staff needed for inspections  It can help if higher level groups can physically see the impact of rate increases and the need for improvements in stormwater management and improvements

Communication  Communication is everything  Building a relationship with the public and builders  Displaying with challenges with transparency