Transcript Case Study on Public-Private Partnerships

Norwalk, Connecticut:
A Public-Private Partnership Case
Study
Mayor Alex Knopp
U.S. Conference of Mayors Urban Water Council
October 2004
City of Norwalk
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 Founded February 26, 1640 and incorporated
September 11, 1651
 Sixth-largest city
in Connecticut
 Population of
approximately 83,000
 Mayor and Common
Council members elected
by five council districts
Water Pollution Control Authority
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 Adopted by the Common Council of the City of
Norwalk March 26, 2002
 Created to construct, reconstruct, operate and
maintain the City’s sewerage system
 Sewer Use Fee replaces property tax
Public-Private Partnership Overview
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 20-year contract operations and maintenance
agreement with OMI began June 1, 2000
 System includes a 30-mgd wastewater
treatment plant, 200-mile collection system,
and 23 pumping stations
 Scope of work includes lab analysis and solids
handling/disposal
Partnership Rough Start
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 Discharge of treated solids into waterway
 Disputes over performance standards
 Threat of litigation over penalties
 Lack of communication between the partners
 Rainiest summer since 1863
Renewal of Partnership Relationship
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 Partnership goals to focus on service results
 Clarification of ambiguous contract provisions
 Staff realignment by City and OMI
 Establish regular joint working group meetings
 Full reporting to WPCA
 Use of technology increase efficiency
 Management restructuring at DPW for contract
administration
Partnership Has Achieved Results
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 Plant performance and aesthetics
– Total federal and state permit compliance
– Exceptional nitrogen removal for maximum trading credits
– Stable operations through storm events
 Pump station reliability
– Regular maintenance and inspection schedule (batteries)
– Radio telemetry alarms to improve operator response time
 Septage receiving program
– Automation ensures 100% revenue collection
Partnership Has Achieved Results
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 Asset management
– Vital tool for budgeting and long-term system reliability
– Catalog all equipment
– Establish major repair and replacement account
– Long range capital investment program
Nitrogen Management
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 Program developed by industry experts gives
contractor and WPCA precise monitoring
and control
 DEP enthusiastic about approach
 Incentives for shared revenues for superior
performance
 Trading credit revenue of $498,663 was
second-highest in state in 2002
 2003 trading credit revenue was $347,590
Sewer System Management
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 All sewers have been completely cleaned
and inspected for the first time in the City
 No sewer backup calls since July
 Inspection analysis being combined with
Norwalk’s GIS database to make this one of
the most advanced sewer management
programs in the state
Moving Forward
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 Detailed energy management plan
– Reduce power consumption at plant and pump stations
– Cost savings through load-shedding and grant programs
 Stormflow treatment system upgrade
– New operating procedure for unusually high flows
– Reduce stormwater pollution
– Significantly reduce combined sewer overflows to the
river
Moving Forward
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 Chlorination system upgrade
– New system meets latest industry standards
– Allow operators to respond to potential permit violations
before they occur
– Provide exceptional protection of the Norwalk River
ecosystem
Lessons Learned in Norwalk
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 Public-Private Partnership should focus on
achieving service delivery goals, rather than
penalties
 Management restructuring in Public Works to
incorporate contract administration
 Need strong contract document complemented by
ongoing, face-to-face working relationship
 Performance and shared-savings incentives
challenge partners to continually improve
 Long range planning to set clear goals for the
future ( sewer cleaning cycles, inspection etc)