1997 09 17 BAWA Minutes•
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BAYTOWN AREA WATER AUTHORITY
September 17, 1997
The Board of Directors of the Baytown Area Water Authority, Harris County,
Texas, met in regular session on Wednesday, September 17, 1997, at 7425 Thompson
Road, in the BAWA Conference Room with the following in attendance:
Robert L. Gillette, President
Dan Mundinger, Vice President
Knox Beavers, Board Member
Roy L. Fuller, Board Member
Absent: Peter R. Buenz, Secretary
The meeting opened with a quorum present, and the following business was
conducted.
Consider Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on August 20, 1997
Board Member Fuller moved for approval of the minutes for the regular meeting
held on August 20, 1997. Board Member Beavers seconded the motion. The vote
follows:
Ayes:
Nays:
Board Members Beavers, Fuller, Gillette and Mundinger
None
970917-2
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Minutes of the BAWA Meeting — September 17, 1997
Consider Plans and Specifications for the Rehabilitation of Six Water Filters and
Authorize Advertising for Bids
Last spring an inspector from Leopold, the manufacturer of the filters at the plant,
performed a thorough inspection of the filters. The filters have been in use for 16 years.
The report indicated certain deficiencies in the filters because of age, changes in
technology and changes in regulations. Leopold submitted a proposal on complete
rehabilitation of the filters. All 18 inches of the anthracite coal must be removed, as well
as the entire 12 inches of sand. Underneath that there are four different sized layers of
gravel that must be removed in order to get to the Leopold blocks which are small
ceramic tiles that contain holes on top smaller than the gravel. The filtered water
travels through to an under drain to the transfer station. When Leopold was at the plant
in May, they were unable to get to the ceramic tiles, but on the surface, when looking at
the support sand, there are large pits which suggest that the tiles need attention. Once
all the media and gravel have been removed, an inspector will determine the repairs
needed to the ceramic tiles. After those repairs are effected, new gravel will be placed.
This gravel cannot be shoveled in, it must be placed by hand. Once the gravel is
placed, the sand and antracite will be poured and the filter will be placed in service.
Leopold has suggested that one filter at a time be rehabilitated which will take about a
week for each filter.
In response to Board inquiry, Tony Brown, Plant Superintendent, responded that
the water travels through the filters from the top down. When back washing the filters,
water then travels in the reverse in order to avoid disruption of the gravel. Back
washing is done at a rate to preserve the sand and anthracite.
The surface wash agitators also need rehabilitation after 16 years of use. These
are buried 6 inches in the anthracite with an arm that circulates in the sand. The
agitators are very important because once the anthracite and sand are fluidized, they
make a circle and spray water to break out any debris that the sand and anthracite
have trapped. Many of the agitators are inoperable. The cost estimate for the entire
project is $150,000. The staff is familiar with three companies in this business.
BAWA plans to place individual meters on each filter to measure turbidity. After
the filters are rehabilitated, new meters will be installed to meet the individual
monitoring that will be required by TNRCC effective November, 1998.
After this rehabilitation project, the plant should experience improved water
quality and less back washing. Presently, back washing is required twice a week. As
the winter months approach, more back washing will be required because of the colder
temperature of the water.
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Minutes of the BAWA Meeting — September 17, 1997
Mr. Brown noted that replacement of ceramic tiles is not included in the $150,000
cost estimate. This will be an unknown until the tiles are uncovered.
Board Member Fuller moved to approve the plans and specifications and
authorize advertisement for bids. Board Member Beavers seconded the motion. The
vote follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Fuller, Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
Manager's Report
Water Sales — August water sales were up to 11.62 mgd but the average for the
year is 10.5 mgd. The budget is based on 11 mgd. September has been averaging
11.6 mgd.
Adjourn
There being no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned.
L4.4,74..
Dan Mundinger
Vice President
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