Title
Annual Update on Water System
Body
The board has requested a system assessment on a different utility each quarter. This quarter, Clay Moseley, Deputy Utility Manager-GWS Services, will present an update on the water system. This year’s report is similar in scope and format to previous reports, including primary performance-measure dashboard data, with trends and comparisons to national standards and DPU goals (Conservation, Strategic Plan & Budget). Discussion including both the physical and financial condition of the water system sub-systems: Water Distribution (DW), Water Production (WP) and Non-Potable (NP) System as well as the overall Water Fund itself are reported. Also included are recent AMT (Asset Management Team) achievements and challenges and some significant planned near-term future O&M Goals, Action Items and Major Projects.
The physical condition of each sub-system (DW = FAIR, WP = FAIR & NP = GOOD) are all unchanged from last year’s report; although some areas are seeing major trends upward with both CIP and Operations contributing to system improvements. Described previously, current projects in both CIP and Operations contribute to improvements. Large systems require multiple years of CIP and O&M improvement projects before the entire system's condition can be revised significantly better. Additional revenue from the Profit Transfer return agreement and extremely low State loan program interest rates continue to enable DPU to maintain a more aggressive CIP program for the DW, WP, and NP systems. This year has seen many years’ worth of planning and design go into implementation with pipeline replacements, well and booster station upgrades, and the first phases of a blended scope SCADA Transition project. Many of the planned improvements have been implemented, with many more still in progress.
The Non-Potable Water System continues to see some significant upgrades on top of the ones that were accomplished the previous year. The DPU has been able to provide Class 1A effluent water to the golf course, North Mesa ball fields, and Overlook Park. The main booster from the Los Alamos WWTP is currently being completely overhauled after many years of continuous service, dating back to 1992. The entire Townsite system has seen consistent upgrades from the top of the system, all the way back down to the bottom, which is the Bayo NP Booster Station. It is scheduled to be completed in early spring.
DPU continues to pursue low interest loans and grant programs to fund the significant number of replacements and upgrade projects on the WP system. The recent projects to renovate the wells and boosters have vastly improved system reliability and functionality. The next phase of WP projects will focus on the replacement and renovation of the transmission pipelines, both in town, and on LANL grounds. The replacement of the transmission line along NM-4 and through critical areas of downtown has contributed greatly to increasing the overall condition assessment score of the system. The goal is to move the overall condition assessment score for WP from “FAIR” to either “GOOD,” or even “EXCELLENT” within the next 3-5 years.
The aggressive pursuit of the goal to improve the overall condition assessment score from “FAIR” to “GOOD” within the water distribution system (DW) continues this year with the completion of very important and complex projects such as the replacement of all the old Bathtub Row and Central Park Square infrastructure and the start of the Denver Steels DW infrastructure replacements. The project to replace the main distribution trunk on San Ildefonso (North Mesa) will also occur this year. These projects will significantly improve the overall condition assessment score of the DW system.
Projects for both DW and WP will focus on the most critical low-condition assessment scoring infrastructure. Currently, the Denver Steels area of town is being replaced due to its age and condition. For WP, projects to address transmission line issues and storage tank rehabilitation will be the primary focus over the next few years.
Attachments
A - Water Systems Annual Update 20260304