About the Project

On October 4, 2001, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) awarded the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD) a grant in the amount of $1,305,000, through a direct line item appropriation in the Federal budget.  This grant was for MDWASD’s Phase One Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Abatement Demonstration Project. Phase One of this project includes the implementation of the following:

Programs

• Project Website
  The Demonstration Project’s Website provides public access to MDWASD’s Consent Decree experience and subsequent pilot programs included in the SSO Abatement Demonstration Project. 
   
• Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Program
  This Program includes the preparation of a report to evaluate and document MDWASD’s experience with EPA Consent Decrees.  The report includes lessons learned by MDWASD as it works towards satisfying the requirements of the First Partial Consent Decree (FPCD), entered into on January 13, 1994, and the Second and Final Partial Consent Decree (SFPCD), entered into on September 11, 1995.  Both Consent Decrees between MDWASD and USEPA remain open at the time the report was produced.
  
• Lateral Testing Program
  This program consists of a pilot study to determine how much wet-weather inflow and rain-induced infiltration take place through service laterals. The study also examines the feasibility of implementing a service lateral repair program.
   
• System Optimization -  Use of Groundwater Level in Pump Station Controls
  This program documents a pilot study primarily aimed at reducing infiltration by reducing the differences in elevation between groundwater and wastewater found in gravity mains.  The study would look at ways to reduce the head which drives groundwater into the gravity mains.  The study will take place at selected pump stations and it will involve the modification of controls and the monitoring of inflow. 
   
• Overflow Prevention Program (OPP)
  This program will include the development of a comprehensive database to allow for real-time reporting on the performance of MDWASD’s pump station transmission and collection infrastructure.  Data collected via this program will allow MDWASD Operations/Maintenance staff to make more targeted decisions and improvements in existing OPP procedures during critical events, thus avoiding potential overflows.

Purpose

Phase One of the Demonstration Project evaluates and documents the impact of MDWASD’s SSO compliance and accomplishments throughout the 1990’s and early part of the 2000’s.  It is hoped that this information will assist other municipalities and sewer system owners in creating more successful sanitary sewer overflow abatement strategies.