Project 153 - Proposal - Hamers - 1997-03-25 ROBIN B HAMERS 234E 17TH ST SUITE 205
& ASSOCIATES INC COSTA MESA, CA 92627
CIVIL ENGINEERS • PLANNERS • SURVEYORS (714) 548-1192
FAX [714)548-8518
March 25 1997
Board of Directors
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
P 0 Box 1200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
RE. Project No. 153 Sewer Lateral Root Intrusion Study
Proposal to Begin Project
Dear Board of Directors:
Enclosed is a proposal to begin the project which consists of reviewing video tapes of
approximately 2,000 sewer lateral connections to the main lines and notifying property owners,
where appropriate, that roots are prevalent and recommending corrective action. Liaison with the
City is also included since many of the trees are City owned.
Attached is an excerpt from the 1996-97 Capital Improvement Program thoroughly explaining the
project along with Boyle Engineering Corporation s independent review of the project.
It is proposed to complete the project at the following standard hourly rates, not to exceed $15 000
Engineering @ $63 00 per hr
Sincerely
014
Robin B Hamers
0 Pr nted )n Recycled Paper.
I9G-97 Cmv rk& iHP Poer¢'tl RRevrr
PROJECT 1112100-153
SEWER LATERAL ROOT INTRUSION STUDY - PHASE I
Recently District Staff met with the City of Costa Mesa Claims
Committee regarding possible City liability associated with sewer
lateral damage caused by City trees located in the public right-
of-way The City Claims Committee is made up of the City
Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, and the Risk Manager
The City desires to know the number and location of the laterals
that may experience problems due to City trees in order to take
preventative steps such as removing trees and notifying property
owners Coincidentally, the Sanitary District has been planning
a notifications policy whereby the District will review video
tapes of the sewer system in order to notify property owners that
roots are evident in their sewer laterals This will allow the
property owners to take preventative measures to have the roots
killed and removed prior to any backup occurring Sewer lateral
maintenance work is the responsibility of the homeowner
The District has over one million feet of sewer line on video
dating as far back as 1989 when the first televising project was
started When the television camera goes down the sewer line at
a point where a sewer lateral is connected, sometimes the
laterals have roots or root balls protruding from the end of the
lateral into the main This is sufficient evidence that the
lateral needs cleaning and will be the basis for notifying
property owners The camera, when it passes the lateral, cannot
see up the lateral to check for additional roots, however, roots
at the lateral-main connection is strong evidence that additional
roots exist The notification process will consist of cross
referencing the sewer lateral locations on the tape with the
appropriate street addresses and either delivering or mailing a
personalized form letter outlining what was found and
recommendations for maintenance
With regard to the City ' s concerns before any letters are
mailed, the City will have a chance to review the findings and
determine whether the close proximity of City trees may be the
problem In this case the City may choose to do a joint, or its
own notification process since the City may desire to remove the
trees
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The District serves 25, 356 parcels that contain 16 579 single
family residences , 24 , 842 multiple family residences 1 226
trailers, 1, 388 commercial parcels (each of which may contain
multiple businesses) , 766 industrial parcels and 111 other
parcels (such as parks, golf courses and cemeteries)
Although a project such as this has never been undertaken it is
estimated that for Phase I including reviewing tapes cross
referencing to determine property addresses, providing
notification where necessary, meeting with the City and
coordinating with their concerns, answering phone calls, and
providing liaison with the public, approximately 2 000 laterals
can be checked within the $15, 000 budget The initial area to be
checked is shown on the attached Exhibit 'A' The initial area
will be limited to areas where, based on previous review of tapes
and past experience, roots are prevalent and problems have
occurred
The project costs are as follows
Review tapes, provide notification, work with City - $ 15, 000
TOTAL $ 15 , 000
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Independent Review
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Capital Improvement Program
Fiscal Year 1996-97
o Project 1112100-149/SINKING FUND
This is the second year that funds have been set aside for future replacement or reconstruction of sewer
lines as they reach life expectancy Setting aside funds for future use now will benefit from
compounding over time.
o Project 1112100-150/PUMP STATION ALARM SYSTEM UPDATE
The Districts existing radio-alarm system is reaching its life expectancy Parts may be obtainable for the
radios but the alarm reporting system appears to be unsalvageable. The District Engineer has
recommended that bids include replacing the radios as an alternative, which I support. The use of a
radio-alarm system has great value and benefit. The main saving has been in reduced response time.
auto shut down of pumps when a problem has occurred, and a reduction in overflows when there has
been a failure. The construction cost appears reasonable as does the design and inspection fees.
o Project 1112100-151/SEWER LINE RECONSTRUCTION-A arious Locations
This is the sixth allocation in a continuing program to provide funding for maintenance of sewer lines at
various locations. This is a maintenance program and priorities are established from the data and
analysis received from previous televising of the Districts sewer lines. Since repairs are small in length
the average cost per foot will be higher when compared to major replacement projects. The engineers
estimate appears reasonable. The design and inspection fees of 8.3% and 9% respectively appear to be
within acceptable standards. The 13% contingency estimate is reasonable.
to Project 1112100-152/TELEVISING SEWER LINES
This is part of an ongoing program to insure that the Districts facilities are functioning properly The
District Engineer proposes to check lines that were televised approximately eight years ago this will
provide significant information in which to draw assumptions regarding Other portions of the Districts
facilities. The engineering fees are higher than normal projects but since this requires proper selection of
locations to be televised coupled with reviewing the tapes and report preparation, they seem acceptable.
The inclusion of the vicinity map was beneficial and appreciated.
o Project 11121100-153/ROOT INTRUSION STUDY-Sewer Laterals
This is the first year for this program. It appears to be a joint effort between the District and the City to
provide a public service as well as helping to identify potential problems/conflicts. The Distract and the
City should be complimented for undertaking this project, especiall\ the District for funding this first
phase. Hopefully the public will view this as a positive step and that the information can be used for
preventative maintenance rather than finger pointing. I whole heartily support this program. Again. the
use of the vicinity map was beneficial.
oao,nuoo 1
Soule Engineering Corporation ccnsurinc enci seers a crit c s
5u1 Quail cc 7 ^0
F O.So> ,030 FAX 774 2
Nc--s -port Be eh, CA_2655.9020 Tel: 6" °61
gevss�'Ji.YTS"-�m,:yi"•J'3 �ii.t�`NSd-:K.-1s*`sa€s+°- i zwco, '.' .3r:: .._ , . ... .Tr., •�.,_s....;.. sz==1
TRRr1SPORTRT!Of SERVICES
Mr Robin B Hamers. PE, Manager/District Engineer August 12, 1996
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
Post Office Box 1200
Costa Mesa, California 92628-1200
Capital improvement Program Review
I have completed my revie\s of the Districts 1996-97 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that
you sent me on June 10 1996. I have enclosed mY independent review report as You requested.
As usual. I found the CIP report to be very complete. containing adequate information for me to
make my review The use of vicinity maps. lists and recap sheets was beneficial, it made my
review easier
Overall I found the CIP report to be vet\ concise- well defined. and complete. I applaud you. the
Distric and the cit\ for undertaking the Sewer L.at2r:1 Stud\ The end results should he well
received by the end users- the residents and businesses of Costa Mesa.
I appreciate the opportunit\ to continue to work with You and serve the District. Best wishes to
You, the Directors. and the District staff.
Boyle Engineering Corporation
seit
Bruce D Mattern. PE
Assistant Managing Engineer
Enclosure
CIP Reviev Report
oc-c 1-100-0:,/crosdlct oc27i3D■1,tt
o Project 1112100-154/SEWER WORK BY OTHERS-Reimbursement
This provides the funding for a continuing program to reimburse others for work that the either do or
have done on District facilities. Other agencies perform construction activities which affect District
facilities, i.e. raise or lower manhole to grade. Since it is the responsibility of the District for its own
facilities, providing funds to reimburse other agencies is appropriate. Based on the data contained in the
engineers report, the funding amount appears reasonable.
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