HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Overview of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 5/27/2014
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Matt Stouder/DPW Staff Phone No: (541) 736-1006
Estimated Time: 25 minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Strengthen Public Safety by Leveraging
Partnerships and Resources
ITEM TITLE: OVERVIEW OF THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION (MWMC)
ACTION REQUESTED:
No action requested - this item is informational and intended to provide an
overview summary of the MWMC and factors influencing its programs and budget.
ISSUE STATEMENT: The Council has expressed an interest in learning more about the MWMC, its operations and assets, and factors and regulations driving MWMC’s capital
program and regional wastewater budget.
ATTACHMENTS: None
DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The MWMC was formed in 1977 by an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Eugene, Springfield and Lane County, to provide wastewater collection and treatment services for the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. The MWMC
manages regional assets with a net worth of approximately $300 million, including the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), the Biosolids Management Facility
and Biocycle Farm, the Beneficial Reuse Site, and regional pump stations and
pipelines. Under the terms of the IGA, Springfield provides for the construction of regional
facilities, permit compliance and administration, financial planning and budgeting, facilities planning, property management, and other duties. The City of Eugene is
responsible for operation and maintenance of all regional facilities, as well as
managing MWMC’s laboratory and associated testing requirements.
The MWMC holds a National Discharge Permit Elimination System (NPDES)
permit, issued in 2002 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This permit expired in 2006 and has been placed on administrative extension by
DEQ, with a permit renewal likely in the next few years. Provisions contained within the NPDES permit are the primary drivers that affect the MWMC’s capital program, budget and rates. In 2004, the MWMC Facilities Plan (FP) was approved
by MWMC and the governing bodies, and laid the framework for approximately $200 million to be invested in capital improvement projects to meet water quality requirements contained within the permit. Meeting the covenants associated with
over $115 million in revenue bonds issued in 2006 and 2008 and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to invest in projects within the 20-year FP is a key
factor affecting the regional budget and rates, as is establishing revenue adequacy to
fully fund reserves and adequately operate and maintain the regional facilities.
MWMC is positioning itself for a future NPDES permit renewal and foresees a
number of new and/or revised water quality regulatory issues on the horizon. These new issues, including requirements related to temperature, toxic pollutants and a
host of other water quality parameters, will continue to require planning, capital
investments, and an increased focus on source control through pretreatment programs and will drive future MWMC budget and rates.