By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Utility Improvements Contract 3.1 Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections and Cleaning Project

As part of ongoing CWSRF improvements, KC prepared bid documents for Contract 3.1, Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections and Cleaning, and obtained the required authorizations from the NYSEFC and the Village of Wappingers Falls, led the bidding process, provided inspection services, and summarized results and recommendations in an engineering report.

The Village authorized Fred A. Cook, Jr., Inc., the Contractor, to perform Contract 3.1. The purpose of Contract 3.1 was to conduct a TV inspection of the remaining sewer pipes that have not been replaced or recently lined in order to identify optimal uses of the remaining CWSRF funds. Sewer cleaning was completed to provide access for the TV inspection. TV inspection was completed in 2017.

The Contractor provided reports and video logs of the pipeline assessment to the Village. The reports included detailed information about defects and observations witnessed during the TV video inspection, and every pipe run included a ratings summary. KC was present for the TV inspection work and watched the video footage in real time, along with the Contractor, for the purpose of assessment and coding. Coding was completed consistent with the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP). KC also developed an improved sewer map for Village use.

The TV inspection of the sewer pipes provided the ability to assess pipe condition and make recommendations for improvements. The results of Contract 3.1 were summarized in a report by KC. The engineering report and the detailed TV inspection report provided by the Contractor provided significant information for reference for planning of current and future capital sewer infrastructure improvements.

Collectively, the sewer improvement efforts continue to improve function of the Village of Wappingers Falls sewer system, reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I) in the sewer system and to the Tri-Municipal Sewer Plant, and extend the useful life of the sewer infrastructure.

By Evan Thomas KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Wallkill Water System Interconnect Project

The Town of Wallkill is located in close proximity with two adjoining municipal water systems. During emergencies, the City of Middletown and the Village of Goshen share their water. KC, as the Town of Wallkill Engineer, located a suitable grant and successfully pursued the grant application that provided a 25% grant with zero interest loan for the construction of municipal water interconnections.

Upon receipt of the grant, KC worked closely with the Town in negotiations for an intermunicipal agreement between both the City and the Village, as well as assisted the Town with securing the required permits and approvals. All municipalities required the interconnections to function as full-flow connections with bi-directional meters and pressure-reducing valves. The interconnections also needed to allow the interconnection pits to be isolation points.

The connection with the Village of Goshen was configured to allow water to be sourced at one municipality’s well field and treated at the others’ treatment plants, which are located in close proximity to each other. Two connections were made with the City of Middletown to feed the two zones in the City and three zones in the Town of Wallkill due to its proximity to the Town’s booster pump station. KC designed metering vaults and site plans for various locations, as well as prepared contract documents and technical specifications for the project. The connections, once installed, will be able to provide service to three water districts from a combined total of 27 sources benefitting a combined population of over 50,000 people.

By Evan Thomas KC'S BLOG • • • 0 Comments

Infrastructure: An Investment Too Important to Ignore

America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave this nation’s current infrastructure a score of D+ on its recently released Infrastructure Report Card. While New York scored a slightly more respectable C-, our state – and the Hudson Valley region – must continue to move forward on improving our infrastructure.

We’ve all seen photos and news reports about the struggles of the people in Flint, MI, many of whom have suffered from adverse health conditions due to the poor quality of their local water source. But even closer to home is the water crisis in Newburgh, where the water has been found to be contaminated with PFOS, a toxic substance that has been traced back to a retention pond at Stewart Air Force Base.

In light of recent hurricanes and superstorms, our water and sewer infrastructure must not only be repaired, it must be modified or redesigned to be resilient in the event of future weather disasters.

Positive train control must be installed on trains across the state. Too many recent accidents could have been prevented by this simple tool. It’s crucial to passenger safety and is a no-brainer.

In Dutchess County, there has been a recent controversy over whether to consolidate the City of Poughkeepsie’s bus system with the county’s public bus system. What should not get lost in the debate is concern for how this potential move will affect passengers who rely on public transportation to go to doctor appointments, buy groceries, and more. Whatever decision is made regarding this important piece of infrastructure, it must best serve the residents of the City of Poughkeepsie.

Deteriorating roads and bridges don’t just affect the safety of drivers, they are ultimately an economic problem. Poor road and bridge conditions can have a negative impact on tourism and travel. In addition, it can cause a delay in or increase the cost of the delivery of goods and services, and stunt growth or development. Poor road and bridge conditions are liabilities to the governments that maintain them and a danger to the people who drive them.

This is just a basic overview of some of our infrastructure needs. So what can be done to address these needs?

For starters, our politicians must understand that infrastructure is a bipartisan issue. No matter what side of the aisle we find ourselves seated on, everyone can agree that our bridges, roads, water, and transportation systems are important components to our ability to grow and thrive, and more importantly to our basic quality of life.

Local and state officials must seek out federal funding, as well as state and federal grants.

Infrastructure is not something that can be addressed once and then ignored. Like a car, which needs to be constantly maintained, it must be regularly updated and repaired. If our local and federal infrastructure is not maintained, our economy will continue to stagnate and decline.

In commemoration of Infrastructure Week, let’s reach out to our local, state, and federal lawmakers. Tell them that we support investment in infrastructure.

Yes, it will take money to improve our aging infrastructure. And yes, spending the necessary dollars may be a tough pill to swallow, but putting off critical projects will only compound the issues and will wind up costing us so much more in the long run.