RECOMMENDATION from Acting Director Department of Public Works & Engineering for payment of Annual Subscriber Fee for WATER ENVIRONMENT & REUSE FOUNDATION -  $97,390.00 - Enterprise Fund

SUBJECT:  Payment approval for the Sum of $97,390.00 to the  the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) for the annual subscriber fee.

RECOMMENDATION: That City Council Approve payment of $97,390.00 to the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) for the annual subscriber fee.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: 

This is a Request for Council Action to authorize payment of an invoice received from the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) for their annual subscriber fee. The amount assessed is a function of the average annual wastewater flow for the City, which is 251 MGD.

WE&RF supports leading edge research project on matters related to water quality, wastewater treatment, residuals handling, and asset management. WE&RF also receives substantial funding from EPA.  WE&RF funds research in the following areas:  wastewater collection and treatment, watersheds and ecosystems, and human health. Of interest to the Wastewater Operations Branch are projects that focus on inspection and maintenance of gravity sewers and force mains, wet weather issues, biosolids, and asset management. As a subscriber to WE&RF, the City of Houston is entitled to access proprietary information such as: research publications, interim research findings from ongoing projects, online tools, and conference proceedings.

WE&RF is currently in various stages of valuable research in the following areas:

• The design, evaluation, rehabilitation and optimization of centralized and decentralized water, wastewater and storm water systems.

• Facility and asset management at plants and collection systems including security strategies and tactics, early warning systems and energy management.

• Technologies for the removal of nutrients, pathogens, micro-pollutants, air pollutants and odors from centralized and decentralized treatment technologies.

• Solids treatment and reuse including land application, odor and pathogens control.

• Storm water system monitoring, compliance, optimization and sustainability.

• Watershed management and water quality including human and ecological risks from contaminants

   

Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Acting Director

Department of Public Works and Engineering

Motion No. 2017-0081, passed 02/08/2017

$97,390.00

Water and Sewer System Operating Fund

Fund 8300

Shannon Dunne

Acting Senior Assistant Director

Phone: (832) 395-4989