AGENDA #4f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton

 

SUBJECT:       Consideration of OWASA Easement on Town Property

 

DATE:             August 26, 2002

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to grant to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) an easement on Town property near Fire Station #2 located on Hamilton Road for the installation of a bio-filter to reduce sanitary sewer odor in the area.

 

The Manager recommends adoption of the resolution.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

Earlier this year, in response to complaints from area residents and fire station personnel, OWASA agreed to install an odor reduction device on the sanitary sewer system near the Town’s Fire Station #2 located near the intersection of Hamilton Road and Prestwick Road.  Please see the attached easement map.

 

The portion of the sewer system that passes near the fire station consists of a large diameter force main that conveys sewage from OWASA’s Rogerson Drive pump station to the treatment plant.  An automatic air release valve is located on the main in this area, and sewer odor occurs when the valve periodically releases air pressure from the sewer main.

 

OWASA agreed to install a filter on the air release line to mitigate the odor problem.  This filter consists of organic materials which provide a home for micro-organisms that strip the hydrogen sulfide out of the air coming from the release valve.  It is the hydrogen sulfide component of the air that creates the sewer odor.  This filter utilizes proven and environmentally friendly biological means of odor reduction.

 

We have reviewed this easement request and believe that it is reasonable.  The Town has no plans to use this portion of the fire station property such that the requested OWASA  easement would create a foreseeable problem.  We think the odor reduction filter is necessary and will improve conditions for residents and workers in the area.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Town Manager to grant an easement to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority for the installation of a sanitary sewer odor reduction filter on Town property adjacent to Fire Station #2 near the intersection of Hamilton Road and Prestwick Road.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.  Letter and Sewer Easement Map (p. 4).

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO GRANT AN EASEMENT TO THE ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SANITARY SEWER ODOR REDUCTION FILTER ON TOWN PROPERTY ADJACENT TO FIRE STATION #2 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HAMILTON ROAD AND PRESTWICK ROAD (2002-08-26/R-5)

 

WHEREAS, area residents and fire station personnel have complained of odors from the OWASA sanitary sewer in the vicinity of Town Fire Station #2; and

 

WHEREAS, OWASA agreed to install a filter to reduce such odors; and

 

WHEREAS, it was determined that the best location such a filter is on an unused portion of the Town-owned fire station property; and

 

WHEREAS, the filter installation requires an easement on said Town property.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute easement documents as necessary for the filter installation and as described on the attached sewer easement map.

 

This the 26^th day of August, 2002