Prince and Oracle Sewer Improvement Project Wins 2021 AZ Water Award
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APRIL • 2021
Prince and Oracle Sewer Improvement
Project Wins 2021 AZ Water Award
by Lilian von Rago
Every year, the AZ Water
Association recognizes the
outstanding engineering design
and construction accomplishments
of its members. This year, it selected
the Prince and Oracle Road Sewer
Improvement Project as Wastewater
Large System Project of the Year.
The Prince/Oracle intersection has
an interesting past-which makes the
project’s completion a real victory
for RWRD.
In 1990, a 27-inch diameter
concrete sewer pipe failed
under one of Tucson’s busiest
intersections, the intersection
of Prince and Oracle Roads. This
created a sinkhole, an emergency Above: Aerial view of the intersection
situation in which a new 27-inch of Prince and Oracle.
pipe was needed immediately. Left: Installation of a PVC pipe at night
Unfortunately, the only size pipe during the Prince and Oracle project.
readily available was a 24-inch PVC
pipe. The emergency solution was RWRD began receiving odor
to construct two new manholes, complaints from neighborhoods
and lay 430 linear feet of 24-inch surrounding the intersection. In
diameter pipe to replace the failed 2017, a charter (a project outline
section of 27-inch pipe under the a number of trunk sewer lines, including scope, budget, risks, etc.)
road. The PVC sewer pipe was and conveys the wastewater to a was written to address capacity
intended to be a temporary repair treatment plant). and odor issues. Feasibility studies
and needed to be replaced with a The emergency fix was working were conducted, and the RWRD CIP
27-inch pipe to reinstate the original well, and there were no capacity team began exploring solutions.
capacity of the interceptor sewer issues until northeast Tucson There were stumbling blocks
(an interceptor sewer is a major continued to grow—which, over along the way which delayed this
sewer line that receives flows from time, created a capacity bottleneck. See “IMPROVEMENT” Page 6
SANTA CRUZ RIVER CLEAN-UP TRES RÍOS BIOGAS PROJECT
EVENTS CHOSEN AS A FINALIST
PAGE • 4 PAGE • 5
DIRECTOR’S VIEW by Jackson Jenkins
Last April, my • Flattening the curve Wellness Programs web page.
“Director’s View” • Contactless delivery Stay healthy, and as always, I
article focused on • Shutting down/opening up the appreciate your efforts on behalf
the emerging virus economy of the Department every day. You
first seen in Wuhan, • COVID nose and COVID toes play a vital role in delivering vital
China (in January 2020) known as • Working from home/(School) services to our community. Hang
the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, learning at home in there just a little longer…we’ll
an extremely contagious respiratory • Prescription and grocery get through this together, and the
illness that is transmissible from delivery light at the end of the tunnel gets
person to person. The virus had • The “New Normal” brighter every day.
spread from China and was leaving News reports documented the
people all over the world very, horrible effects of COVID-19 on the SAFETY SHARE
very sick; many were dying. The body, the terror of not being able
medical directive, at the time, was to breathe, isolation, and the fear of
“wash your hands often, wipe down death. We learned about grieving
surfaces and do not touch your families and how one life has an
face.” We know that advice was impact on so many others.
sound, but now we know much We also learned about recovery
more. We know what it means to be from illness, gratitude, and
in a “state of emergency,” and about appreciation of what we have:
executive orders such as Executive family, a home, a job, income. Pima April is National Distracted
Order 2020-18 issued on March 30 County wants all of its employees Driving Awareness Month
30, 2020, by Governor Doug Ducey to stay healthy, and is expanding The hands-free law, enacted on
entitled “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, current vaccine eligibility January 1, 2021, bans the use of
Stay Connected.” We learned about throughout the County to Frontline any type of electronic handheld
many other things too: Essential Workers (state and local device while driving. A driver
• PPE government workers) and people may only use their cellphone
• Social distancing ages 55 and older. Because we know to report illegal activity, call for
• Contact tracing that getting a vaccine appointment help (while parked), or at a red
• Gig workers can be challenging, employees light. Drivers breaking the law
• The concept of “Wash, wear, may take up to 90 minutes of work will be fined between $75 and
wait” time to get vaccinated, and, if you $149 for a first
• Masking/masking directives are vaccinated between March violation, and
• Super-spreader events 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, between $150
• Quarantine pods (and you may be eligible to receive 50 and $250 for
quarantine hair) Healthy Lifestyle Activity points each following
• Herd immunity toward the 2022/23 Discount #2 violation.
• Vaccine eligibility (and Pfizer- (which is active July 2022). For
Do you have a Safety Share to share?
BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & more information, visit the Pima Email pipeline@pima.gov
Johnson) County Human Resources Employee
The Pipeline, an Award-Winning Publication
CONTRIBUTORS: MISSION STATEMENT BE A CONTRIBUTOR
Our mission is to protect the public health, Is there something happening in your Division?
Ken Coultas Patsy Padilla safety, and the environment by providing On your team? In your office? We want to read
Justyn Dillingham Michelle Varner quality service, environmental stewardship, about it! Share it with us by emailing
Jackson Jenkins Lilian von Rago and renewable resources. pipeline@pima.gov or call 724-6721.
Jenette Lee
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Please submit your stories for the May issue
EDITOR:
to pipeline@pima.gov by Monday, April 17.
Lilian von Rago
If you will be submitting a photo, please send
as a separate high-res JPEG attachment.
2 THE PIPELINE • April 2021
HEALTH & SAFETY CORNER by Ken Coultas
RWRD Safety and Security Relationship
During Annual Safety Training, we related training. We discuss it in all security. Both have formal and
always say that we are all the eyes of our meetings, tailgate trainings, informal audits designed to protect
and ears of the Department. Safety safety shares, and during other employees. Both can have internal
and security depend on us to look discussions and communications. and external threats. All members
out for each other, understand and Security focuses on mostly external of the organization should keep
be knowledgeable of the tasks we threats. Our Security Program starts their eyes open for something that
conduct, and be familiar with the with the physical means to keep is out of place, and protect their
area that we work in. We can always unauthorized persons from entering coworkers. Anything placing a safety
show a close relationship between our critical infrastructure such as or security risk should be reported
safety and security, even though they fences, gates, key-card access, and to their supervisor or manager
come from different locations. Let’s policies. The goal is to eliminate or through reporting procedures. The
take a quick look at both. reduce the likelihood of persons with organization as a whole takes these
Safety focuses mostly on nefarious intentions gaining access reports seriously, investigates them,
internal hazards and threats to our or control to any location within and determines causal factors and
well-being. Our Safety Program our organization, including through prevention strategies. Safety and
builds itself from the core values electronic means. There is no doubt security never go away and always
received from training, teamwork, that with robust security, employees need to be a focus. When either
and experience. It is critical that are safer from physical harm. In this one of them are relaxed, there is a
everyone is aware of circumstances short year, we have experienced risk of something tragic happening.
and processes that have a high an arrow shot into a building, a cut Everyone within this organization is
likelihood of causing injury. The goal fence, and a couple of incidents of literally the eyes and ears to a safer
is always to reduce the potential graffiti. While none of these caused workplace, whether those threats
of injury through various means an injury, they certainly make and hazards come from within or
including policies and the Hierarchy employees feel vulnerable to such outside the organization. Thank you
of Controls. We conduct extensive criminal acts. for doing your part in protecting each
safety training during onboarding, It’s easy to see the close other and making our Department a
annual safety training, and task - relationship between safety and safe place to work.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS by Jenette Lee
Preparing for Power Outages
The recent winter storm events need that rely on electricity. Plan
that rocked a large swath of the for batteries and other alternative
nation in February resulted in power sources to meet your needs
blackouts for over 9 million people when the power goes out, such as guidance for any medications that
in the U.S. and Mexico. The extensive a portable charger or power bank. are critical for life.
power outages and damage to Have flashlights for every household Food Storage
life and property seen across the member. Determine whether your Have enough nonperishable
country during this single event home phone will work in a power food and water. Keep freezers and
highlights the need to prepare for a outage and how long battery refrigerators closed. The refrigerator
power outage - while the lights are backup will last. will keep food cold for about four
still on. Know Your Medical Needs hours. A full freezer will keep the
We tend to take the power grid Talk to your medical provider temperature for about 48 hours. Use
for granted, until it fails us. There are about a power outage plan coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor
several things you can do to prepare for medical devices powered temperatures with a thermometer.
yourself and your family for a power by electricity and refrigerated Throw out food if the temperature is
outage. medicines. Find out how long 40 degrees or higher.
Preparing for a Power Outage medication can be stored at higher Using Appliances During Power
Take an inventory of the items you temperatures and get specific See “POWER” Page 6
THE PIPELINE • April 2021 3Santa Cruz River Clean-up Events by Lilian von Rago RWRD staff joined forces this year with the Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, the Sonoran Institute, Tucson Water, Paragon Space Development Corporation, Tortolita Area Alliance, and Boy Scout Troop 122 to host its annual Santa Cruz River clean-up. Because of Covid-19, there were new rules: social distance and wear a mask or two. RWRD held its employee- only event at the Water Campus on Friday, March 5, 2021. This represents the sixth year that RWRD has been involved with the Above: Outfall area prior to the Santa Cruz River clean-up effort. clean-up effort, the brainchild of Below: Outfall area after the clean-up. Permit Regulatory Compliance Officer, Jason Grodman. Jason modeled the event after the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) Adopt a Highway Program. He thought the idea could be replicated on the Santa Cruz River and felt that RWRD had a responsibility to the river since it released millions of gallons of effluent from the outfall. The section of the river that RWRD cleaned was from the outfall to RWRD’s solar fields at the end of the property - which could be described as RWRD’s back yard. This year, RWRD staff pulled 1,000 Orduna, Mike Silva, and Tom can help keep the Santa Cruz pounds of trash out of the river Tomchak. River clean by taking personal at the outfall site. Crews came RWRD’s partners hosted responsibility. He suggested that prepared…they used the winch on community participation river everyone should think about their 4x4 pick-up trucks to help pull clean-up events at four different their own property, and what out big items like shopping carts drop-in points from Ina Road to is on it that could be washed and mattresses. the north to just south of Silverlake into the Santa Cruz during a rain A BIG thank you to RWRD Road on Sunday, March 7, 2021. event. Illegal dumping is also volunteers: Laura Arnold, This event marks the first time that a contributor to the trash and Kimberly Baeza, Irene Castillo, RWRD has collaborated with other debris found in and around the Max DiSante, DeAnn Drottz, Juan agencies for clean-up efforts. The river. If illegal dumping is seen, Echanove, Jason Grodman, Jenny collaboration was fruitful, with 138 Pima County’s Department of Hanson, Ava Hopkinson, Jessie volunteers gathering 197 bags Environmental Quality should Jones, Courtney Kaufman, Lea of garbage from the four drop-in be notified. Projects like these Liburdi, Mike Manchester, Kent points. help RWRD promote a healthy McRae, Steve Mitchell, Fernando According to Jason, everyone environment. 4 THE PIPELINE • April 2021
SUSTAINABILITY CORNER by Lilian von Rago
Tres Ríos Biogas Project Chosen as a Finalist
RWRD was chosen as a finalist by
the Metropolitan Pima Alliance for its
2021 Common Ground Award. This
annual award recognizes community
leaders, projects, and events
demonstrating collaboration to the
overall benefit of the community.
Common Ground Award finalists
endured a multi-step vetting process
that included a panel interview
that weighed the complexity and
uniqueness of the collaboration.
RWRD’s submission was for the
Tres Ríos WRF Biogas Cleaning and
Utilization Project which represents
the first renewable natural gas (RNG)
production facility in southern
Arizona to partner with Southwest Aerial photo of the biogas pipeline from the digesters to the gas cleaning facility.
Gas for distribution of a sustainable
fuel source. compressed, the facility pipeline will the sale of renewable fuel credits
The gas cleaning facility is located deliver the cleaned biogas to the will benefit sewer users by offsetting
on the Tres Ríos WRF property. This Southwest Gas pipeline near the Tres operational costs-----and postpone
facility will receive all the biogas from Ríos WRF in order to be delivered to future rate increases. The top finalists
anaerobic digesters. It will process a biogas buyer who will, in turn, pay and winners will be celebrated at the
the biogas to remove moisture and RWRD for the biogas purchased. Common Ground Awards Ceremony
impurities and compress the cleaned The completion of this project will on May 14, 2021 at the JW Marriott
biogas to the proper pressure. Once reduce reliance on imported oil, and Starr Pass Resort.
RWRAC UPDATE by Justyn Dillingham
The Pima County Regional recent sanitary sewer overflow, and named to take Matthewson’s place
Wastewater Reclamation Advisory a new antenna at the Salida Del Sol as Chair of the CIP Subcommittee.
Committee (RWRAC) held its pump station. He also explained Matthewson said that there has been
monthly meeting virtually on March current RWRD policies regarding no CIP activity in the past month.
25, 2021. delinquent user fees and Sewer FRMD Administration Support
Deputy County Administrator for Outreach Subsidy accounts during Services Manager Mandy Armenta
Public Works Carmine DeBonis Jr. the pandemic. Finally, he provided provided an expense and revenue
gave an update on some recently updates on the struvite recovery summary for Period 8 of the fiscal
passed state legislation that might program, the biogas project, and year 2020/21. Finally, Alison Jones
affect RWRD, including bills about the vaccination status of RWRD of the Citizens Water Advisory
occupational safety and water employees. Committee provided a summary
quality. He said that finding a more Finance and Risk Management of the committee’s most recent
efficient method for billing and Department (FRMD) Director meeting, which focused on
collection of wastewater reclamation Michelle Campagne reviewed a differential rates.
fees is one of Pima County’s draft of the 2021 Financial Plan, The RWRAC will hold its next
legislative priorities. including operating costs, new meeting on Thursday, April 22.
RWRD Director Jackson Jenkins debt, and debt service payments. The meeting will once again be
discussed a number of topics, Matt Matthewson was named held virtually. To view the agendas,
including concerns about the the new Vice-Chair of the Financial minutes, and videos of previous
current supply of plastic pipes, a Subcommittee, and Asia Philbin was meetings, click here.
THE PIPELINE • April 2021 5“POWER” FROM PAGE 3
Outages
Install carbon monoxide detectors
with battery backup in central
locations on every level of your
home. Avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning. Generators, camp stoves
or charcoal grills should always be
used outdoors and at least 20 feet
away from windows. Never use a gas
stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Turn off or disconnect appliances,
equipment, or electronics. Power
may return with momentary surges
RWRD Conveyance staff show off their Irish spirit on St. Patrick’s Day. or spikes that can cause damage.
FEMA has created a great flier, Be
COMINGS AND GOINGS by Patsy Padilla Prepared for a Power Outage, that
contains a lot of useful information.
NEW HIRES – None! RETIREMENTS – Good-bye!
Jimmy Berndt Power Outage Tips
PROMOTIONS – Congratulations! WW O&M Maintenance Technician • Keep freezers and refrigerators
Ricardo Gonzales Treatment Division closed.
WWTP Mechanical - Lead
• Use a generator, but ONLY
Treatment Division outdoors and away from
windows.
“IMPROVEMENT” FROM PAGE 1 removing old piping and installing
new 27-inch diameter piping at
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to
heat your home.
project: Oracle Road lies within a cost of $1.1M was ultimately
the jurisdiction of the Arizona selected. This method involved • Disconnect appliances and
Department of Transportation, excavating down to, and exposing electronics to avoid damage
from electrical surges.
and Prince Road lies within the the existing pipe so that it could be
jurisdiction of the City of Tucson. repaired or replaced. Limiting traffic • Have alternate plans for
Each jurisdiction needed to agree disturbances was the goal, so one refrigerating medicines or using
to work with RWRD on construction of the major requirements was that power-dependent medical
operations, traffic control, and flow the bulk of the work be performed devices.
management bypass operations as nights and weekends. Crews • Check with local officials about
construction would involve closures encountered “sugar sand” (hard- heating and cooling locations
of multiple lanes of traffic, detours, to-compact soil), drunk drivers and open near you.
and lane shifts. intoxicated pedestrians, and a few
The original proposal was to design changes along the way,
perform a jack and bore operation but the project was successfully H A P PY
under this busy intersection. Jack completed significantly under
and bore is a trenchless method budget. Public Works Administration BIRT H DAY
of sewer construction where a Program Manager (formerly with
tunnel is cut underground without RWRD) Shawn Tillson and RWRD to all
disturbing the surface of the Program Coordinator David Badger those
road. At a cost of $2M, this was an managed the project for RWRD, celebrating
extremely expensive option which B&F was the contractor, and EEC
required extensive realignment was the designer. The intersection in
April!
of the interceptor. This method is looks good, works well, and odor
usually reserved for tunneling under complaints have gone down
railroads and interstates. substantially. The team has much to
The open cut trench method of be proud of.
6 THE PIPELINE • April 2021You can also read
