Legal Notices

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The City of Sullivan is seeking a Public Works Director.

Job Description and Application Information

Notice of Intent to Issue a Categorical Exclusion

Project Identification

City of Sullivan
2 West Harrison Street
Sullivan, IL 61951

Moultrie County

Summary

In accordance with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Loan Rules, Title 35, Subtitle F, Chapter II, Part 662.520 (State Environmental Review), the IEPA has determined that the City of Sullivan project conforms to the criteria for a Categorical Exclusion and can be excluded from a detailed environmental impacts review and a Public Hearing.  The project consists of the addition of a clear well and associated pumps at the City’s water treatment plant (WTP), as well as replacing the carbon dioxide (CO2) tank.  All construction will occur at the existing WTP and this type of project conforms to the criteria for Categorical Exclusion.

Existing Situation and Project Justification

The City of Sullivan has a population of 4,346 and is located in central Moultrie County along Illinois Route 121.  The City owns and operates a potable water system consisting of six wells rated from 250 to 500 gallons per minute (gpm), a lime softening treatment plant, two elevated tanks, and distribution mains.

The City’s treatment plant was last expanded in 1990, when an additional aerator, softener, CO2 tank (which has reached its useful life and is in need of replacement), recarbonation tanks, filters, and control building were constructed.  The plant’s existing softener, filters, and clear well were maintained during this expansion.  The current water supply capacity of the plant is 1,800 gpm.  The plant’s water supply control system allows for automatic start if the City’s two elevated water storage tanks require filling, however if the clear well requires filling, the startup process is manual-only.  The plant’s treatment process has automatic shut-down capability, however startup is manual-only in order to insure that all critical treatment equipment is operating.  The current automatic/manual operating setup of the plant creates two problems concerning water demand and continual operation.  Limited personnel will cause the clear well to reach a low level, which requires manual restart, creating a loss during periods of high usage.  Additionally, if the clearwell empties, the high service pumps will shut off causing low pressure in the system.

The City of Sullivan’s average daily water usage is approximately 953,000 gallons per day (gpd), with a peak daily demand of approximately 1,429,500 gpd.  The City’s two elevated tanks and clear well currently have a total storage capacity of 957,00 gallons.  Given the system’s design year maximum daily demand, the treatment plant’s requirements, and ideal storage guidelines, it would be further beneficial to increase the City’s water storage capacity to 1,957,000 in order to provide uninterrupted service to the system’s customers.
Proposed Project

In order to address the automation and continual water supply/storage of City’s treatment plant, the proposed project consists of the addition of a 1.0 million gallon aboveground clear well and three new 1,200 gpm high service transfer pumps and associated controls.  The existing clear well and high service pumps will be kept in service.  The existing clear well will feed the new clear well prior to water being pumped to the elevated tanks.  The existing pumps will be converted to transfer pumps.  The new pumps will be provided with variable frequency drives for flow matching, and will provide the maximum rated flow from the plant (1,800 gpm) with one pump out of service.

The existing carbon dioxide tank has exceeded its useful life and will be removed and replaced.  The carbon dioxide tank aids the recarbonation tank in adjusting the pH of the water leaving the softener units.  The recarbonation tanks will not function properly without a carbon dioxide tank.

All proposed work, including the new clear well, will take place on the water treatment plant’s property (see attached map).  Sign-offs on the proposed construction have been received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  From the information provided, no impacts are expected on rare or endangered species, historical or cultural resources, stream crossing, floodplains or wetlands.

Project Implementation and Cost

Project design is complete and once construction begins it will take approximately nine (9) months to complete. Estimated costs are listed below.

Construction                             $1,212,800
                        Contingency                                  $24,256
                        Design Engineering                         $91,300
                        Construction Engineering                $86,594
                                                Total Costs       $1,414,950

Financial Impacts

A loan eligibility determination will be made based upon final plans and specifications, along with the loan application documentation.  The City of Sullivan plans to finance a portion of the estimated project costs with a loan from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP).  The City has funds on hand and only wishes to borrow $774,209.  Annual repayments on a PWSLP Loan of $774,209 at the current interest rate of 1.93% for 20 years are $46,692.  The City plans to finance repayment of the loan with proceeds from its gross water revenue.  The existing rate structure for the City’s customers is $19.00 minimum for the first 2,000 gallons, and $4.05 per 1,000 gallons in excess of the initial 2,000 gallons, resulting in an average customer bill of $31.15 per month for 5,000 gallons of water usage.  The projected gross water revenue received from water user charges, reconnection fees, tap fees, late fees, and TIF funds is $1,322,263.  After subtracting operating and non-operating expenses, the difference is $499,760 annually, which will adequately pay the required annual principal and interest payments without an increase in the current user rates.   Based upon the City of Sullivan’s Median Household Income of $38,630, the current rates are within the IEPA’s affordability standard of 2%, therefore the proposed project has no significant financial impact. 

Public Participation

Public comments are invited on the proposed project.  For further information contact:

Gary W. Bingenheimer
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section
Bureau of Water
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
Telephone Number:      217/782-2027
Fax Number:                217/785-1225