VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
1
Consent Decree
WINTER 2015
This quarterly
newsletter will
provide updates and
information
associated with the
DeKalb County
Consent Decree,
Program, as well as
serve as an education
tool to learn more
about DeKalb
County’s sanitary
sewer system and the
projects being
implemented to
ensure the system’s
longevity.
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Program Budget
Information
2
Budget
Breakdown
3
Flow and Rainfall
Monitoring
4
Safety Moment
5
FOG Tips
5
The DeKalb County Consent Decree Program
On December 20, 2011, DeKalb County entered
into a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The
consent decree was the result of an audit that
began in 2006 that revealed that the County’s
sanitary sewer collection system needed significant
assessment and rehabilitation to ensure proper
functionality and to protect both the public health
of County citizens and environment for
generations to come. The consent decree requires
the County to develop and implement programs
to provide effective capacity, management,
operations, and maintenance (CMOM) including a
continuing sewer assessment and rehabilitation
program. The programs DeKalb County is
required to perform under the consent decree are
needed to enable the County to reduce the
number of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and to
comply with both the Federal Clean Water Act
and the Georgia Water Quality Control Act.
Assessment and rehabilitation activities associated
with the consent decree are underway now and
are scheduled to be completed in mid-2020.
Consent Decree Program Website
The DeKalb County Consent Decree Program website is now live!
Citizens of DeKalb County and other interested parties now have a
central place to learn more about the Consent Decree Program and
the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Capital
Improvement Projects (CIP) Division’s progress on the associated
projects.
The website includes background information about the Consent Decree Program, Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs), a calendar of upcoming meetings and activities, a newsroom for
members of the media, contact information for the Community Outreach team, business
opportunities and employment opportunities.
Please visit the website today! www.dekalbconsentdecree.com
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PAGE
Your Ratepayer Dollars at Work
In 2010, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
approved a $1.345 billion, five-year water and sewer systems
Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) program funded through
an 11 percent increase in water and sewer rates over three
years (2012, 2013 and 2014). Of the $1.345 billion, the
Consent Decree Program is currently estimated at $326
million, and those funds are being managed by the Department
of Watershed Management’s CIP Division.
To finance the $1.345 billion CIP program, the County will be
borrowing $1.2 billion by selling bonds that will be paid back
over a 30-year period.
2
Did You Know?
DeKalb’s sanitary sewer system serves more than
500,000 people. The wastewater collection and
transmission system (WCTS) which DeKalb owns
and operates includes approximately 2,600 miles of
sewer lines. Stretched end to end those sewer lines
would reach from DeKalb County, Georgia, to
Seattle, Washington.
2,600 Miles at-a-glance
Budget breakdown
The CIP program includes several major projects to repair and
improve DeKalb County’s wastewater collection and water
distribution systems. Here’s a quick breakdown of how your
ratepayer dollars are being spent.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an
$378 million to rebuild, upgrade, and expand the Snapfinger
Wastewater Treatment Plant
interesting sentence or quote from the story
here.”
$65 million to upgrade sections of the Polebridge Wastewater
Treatment Plant
$38 million to upgrade the Scott Chandler Water Treatment
Plant
$179 million to repair, replace and update parts of the water
distribution system
$600 million to repair, replace and update the wastewater
collection system
$82 million to begin water reuse and to return treated
wastewater to the Chattahoochee River, per state water
planning requirements
$36 million for vehicles and equipment necessary to deliver
repairs and improvements to the water and wastewater
systems
CIP program provides jobs for area residents
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
CIP Jobs
569
1300
Jobs Persons
Created Working
on Projects
For more information on employment opportunities with the
Consent Decree Program or CIP Program, contact DeKalb Workforce
Development at (404) 687-3400 or
[email protected].
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PAGE
3
CIP Budget Breakdown
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4
Closed Circuit Television – CCTV
CCTV Inspection
As a part of the ongoing
assessment of DeKalb
County’s entire wastewater
collection and transmission
system (WCTS), several
inspection methods are being
utilized to determine the
condition of the sewer
system’s pipes and to identify
defects. One type of inspection
being performed is closed
circuit television (CCTV).
CCTV is one of the most effective methods available to
determine the internal condition within a closed piping
system. It provides a practical means to locate mainline and
branch piping leaks, structural defects, pipe size changes,
protruding connections, and other adverse conditions. The
process can also help locate service connections and possible
sources of infiltration and inflow, which may cause sewage
volumes to exceed design capacity.
This technology utilizes remote-controlled cameras that are
controlled by an operator who captures the videos on a
computer. A rotating camera head provides a 360º view
within the pipe. Inspection data is captured on the hard drive
of a computer, and then analyzed by a PACP (Pipeline
Assessment and Certification Program) certified technician in
the field. After this initial review, the data is then transferred
to the data management team for further review and analysis.
Currently, there are three CCTV assessment contracts
underway in DeKalb County. CCTV assignments for one of
the contracts includes the Northfork Peachtree Creek Basin.
It is anticipated that this project will have an end date of late
2016.
The contractors performing the CCTV work on behalf of the
County are Metals & Materials Engineers (MME) and
Southeast Pipe Survey.
Flow and Rainfall Monitoring
Part of the DeKalb County Consent Decree Program is a System-Wide Flow and Rainfall Monitoring Plan which mandates the
County supplement existing flow meters and rain gauges with additional meters and gauges. The Department of Watershed
Management’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Division has initiated a project to increase the number of flow meters and
rain gauges throughout the County. The work includes the installation of approximately 96 flow meters and 17 rain gauges.
The installation location for the flow meters and rain gauges includes various locations throughout DeKalb County.
Flow meters are devices mounted inside of sewers that measure the depth and velocity of sewer flow. The meters convey
data to a server via a wireless telephone connection mounted inside of manhole shafts, and will enable the County to
effectively mitigate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) thereby reducing the risk to public health and property damage.
Rain gauges are devices used to gather data and calculate the amount of rainfall
over a period of time. The purpose of a rain gauge is to provide efficient and
effective data to assess capacity and infiltration/inflow issues within the wastewater
collection and transmission systems. The data collected will assist in making
capacity decisions or confirming the capacity status of portions of the wastewater
system.
The installation of new flow meters and rain gauges was completed December
2014. Metals & Materials Engineers (MME) performed the installation of flow
meters and rain gauges on behalf of DeKalb County.
Flow Meter
Maintenance on both the flow meters and rain gauges are occurring monthly.
4
Safety Moment: Protect Your Pipes
As the weather continues to cool and the
temperatures begin to hit the freezing point
(32° Fahrenheit or 0° Celsius) and below it is
important to protect your home from bursting
pipes, which can cause devastating damage,
inconvenience, and safety hazards.


minimum 55° Fahrenheit or completely
turn the water off at the main valve
Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and
bathrooms to allow the warmth projected
from your home's heater to reach the pipes
If water supply lines are located in a garage,
be sure to keep the garage closed to
prevent the freezing air from directly
affecting the pipes
Water expands as it freezes and pipe bursting
occurs when idle water held in pipes freezes
and expands beyond the capacity the pipe can
hold. There are several methods to prevent idle If you happen to experience a frozen pipe or a
water from remaining in your home's pipes and burst pipe, contact a licensed plumber to
therefore preventing a pipe burst.
address the problem.
Throughout the winter months, stay tuned into
the weather forecast to ensure your home is
properly prepared for freezing temperatures.
The following tips can prevent pipe bursts from
occurring:


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5
FOG Education
Participation Survey
To participate in the survey, log on to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
DeKalbFOG
We invite you to take the short survey at
your earliest convenience and encourage
you to share the link with your DeKalb
County network of family, friends and
neighbors. It only takes two minutes!
Leave one faucet on with a slow drip to
keep the water in the pipes moving
If you are going to be away from your
home during freezing temperatures, leave
your heat on and set your thermostat to a
Contact Us!
Prevent the FOG Clog
Home-cooked meals will undoubtedly serve as the centerpiece for
fellowship time with your family and friends during the cold winter
season. As you prepare your menu, the Department of Watershed
Management would like to remind you of some helpful tips to prevent
sewer system clogs caused by improper handling of Fats, Oils &
Grease (FOG) during cooking, clean up and food disposal.
FOG is composed of animal and vegetable fats and oils used to
prepare food. FOG enters into the County’s sewer system through
commercial and residential plumbing. Over time, the buildup from
improperly disposed FOG, food scraps and used cooking oils can
completely clog pipes, resulting in sanitary sewer overflows.
Follow the FOG prevention tips below to ensure successful clog-free
pipes.

Allow FOG to cool and pour any liquids into a sealable,
disposable container and place it into the trash

Scrape any solid FOG and food particles directly into the trash

Use a paper towel to remove any remaining FOG from pots,
plates, and bowls, and place the used paper towel into the trash

Use a sink strainer to capture any FOG that may have been left
on pots, plates and bowls, and place the residue into the trash
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
For general Consent Decree Program
questions or comments, please
contact us at:
Phone: (404) 906-1882
Email:
[email protected]
Contractors interested in pre-bid
inquiries or other business
opportunities with the Consent
Decree Program, please contact us at:
Phone: (404) 371-6312
Email: [email protected]
For information about employment
opportunities with the Consent
Decree Program, please contact the
DeKalb Workforce Development at:
Phone: (404) 687-3400
Email:
[email protected]
5