Director's Year End Report

Public Utilities Advisory Committee Meeting of December 3, 2009

Jeff Niermeyer

Jeff Niermeyer

Director Niermeyer, referred to a chart depicting the annual daily flow demand of water on Salt Lake City's municipal water system, noting that the chart demonstrated an absolute success story.  Even though the City lost revenue, it dramatically reduced its water usage, which is consistent with its sustainability goals.  He said the City is using  its water in the wisest manner possible.  Information contained in the chart showed that water consumption since 2000 has been significantly reduced.  Niermeyer said the City's water conservation programs are working. One goal is to educate the department's customers not to water during rain events.  During this past wet June they did exactly what they were asked to do by turning off their sprinklers. By conserving, the City is going to save a tremendous amount of money in the future because its customers are learning how to use water efficiently – in a wise manner, said Niermeyer.

Mr. Niermeyer spoke of the important relationships the department has with both the administration: the Mayor and his staff; the City Council and its staff and the department's senior leadership.  He said it was through these relationships and support that the department has become a significant asset to the community, and without these relationships the department wouldn't be nearly as successful. He also spoke about the partnership the department has with the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy.  He recognized Claudia Wheeler and Josh DeBry and board members Kathy Loveless and Leland Myers.

Mr. Niermeyer highlighted a few successes made by Public Utilities this past year: 

• All three enterprise funds have operated in complete compliance with NPDES and Safe Drinking Act permits. Niermeyer particularly extended appreciation to Dale Christensen for the Water Reclamation Plant earning its 16th Platinum Award, which means that the treatment plant has completed 16 years of perfect compliance. This is a rare event and very difficult to achieve,  particularly, during the past 4 years when the treatment plant has been under major construction. This is a testimony to Dale's leadership and the strength of the staff at the facility.
• The department has a strong capital improvements program amounting to $32 million in construction projects.  Also, the department was able to secure stimulus money for the replacement of the digester roof at the Water Reclamation Plant.  These funds were acquired under the “green” classification of the federal stimulus money because the replacement project will allow the treatment plant to capture additional digester gas and produce more energy recovered at the facility.  The project was chosen by the state of Utah to meet their requirements to utilize funding for wastewater recycling. 
• The department has been actively involved in several community projects. One project was the demolishing, earth contouring and landscaping the site of the abandoned Thirteenth East Reservoir. This project included a very active community process, which contributed to a successful project.  The department  received many compliments from the community regarding its public outreach process. As a matter of policy the department will  take every opportunity as a utility to engage the citizens in its projects and bring them in early and keep them involved. 

Mr. Niermeyer expressed his appreciation to the City Council for approving the City's Water Conservation Master Plan.  This plan will guide the department for the next 5 years, allowing it to meet its water conservation and sustainability goals.

It was noted that over the last few years, the department has spent considerable time looking at sustainability and the ability to use its resources needed today without borrowing or compromising these resources for future generations. The department has had some success in doing this; however, there is recognition that there is more to be done. During this coming year the department will be looking at resiliency. The definition of resiliency is the ability to be flexible and capable to withstand stress and change.

Currently there are changes creating stress within the community, and this utility, and the department must be prepared to successfully cope with this phenomenon.  On the environmental side there are climate changes and if anybody wants to take note, it's not typically usual to have only 14 percent normal snowpack in November. If this trend continues the consequences are going to be dramatic. The department is also facing a changing regulatory environment.  Currently there is activity relative to the Great Salt Lake. There are potential water quality drivers that could result in huge costs to the community and the city. There are enormous pressures on our watersheds, which everybody likes to enjoy. There are very few communities that have the access that Salt Lake City has to the tri-canyons of the Wasatch Range located in our back yards. These resources are almost becoming like an urban park-like amenity to the city. Its' a challenge and yet an obligation to find a balance between protecting  these watersheds versus peoples' desire to recreate and enjoy them.

Mr. Niermeyer closed by noting as the department  addresses these challenges into the future it needs to put into place strategies, procedures and resources to make sure as a utility it's resilient to change and can adapt to change so as an organization it doesn't fear change and hold onto the past – and move on progressively.

Mr. Niermeyer thanked the department's employees for their support and efforts in meeting the challenges of  this past year and their continued efforts for the coming year. He then introduced Mayor Becker.

Mayor Ralph Becker

Mayor Ralph Becker

Mayor Becker thanked Jeff and Public Utilities staff and members of the Board.  He noted that the board members have busy lives, but give the City a good portion of their time to make sure we are not only providing good water, sewer and stormwater services, but also planning for the future, which is so closely tied in every way to what happens with Public Utilities.

Mayor Becker noted that the history of this city is so remarkable with watershed protection, which goes back literally to the beginning days; and the foresight of the people in the mid-1800s to set aside City Creek canyon and the fortitude for over a century and one-half to protect the canyon, providing an incredible water supply and yet enabling those who can to enjoy that canyon.  He added that it's a remarkable testament to the people now and for so many generations who have looked out for the city's water interests. He noted that City officials, the Public Utilities Advisory Committee and those working for the city associated with the water system, now have this responsibility.  He stated that he had been able to work with Public Utilities on plans and done some other work over the years; and as Mayor, he is absolutely thrilled with the quality of work that has been done.  The foresight that has been exhibited across the board in taking action to make sure that future generations have both superb water service and superb utilities and have the opportunity to enjoy the unique assets of the mountains adjacent to the city. This is largely because of the work that happened in the past and today, said Mayor Becker.

Mayor Becker said,on behalf of the Council, that without exception, it's a pleasure when we have an issue with Public Utilities, whether its watershed protection, whether its providing quality service, or whether its responding to the community the way you are able to do it – and that this makes their jobs obviously much easier.  Mayor Becker closed by expressing his appreciation  to the Public Utilities Advisory Committee, the staff and Jeff  – and all of the partners from other jurisdictions, and saying that we have a good thing going and we intend to keep it that way.