20050930DEQ comments.pdf

STATE OF IDAHO
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
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1445 N. Orchard. Boise, Idaho 83706 . [phone] Dirk Kempthorne, Governor
Toni Hardesty, Director
September 28, 2005
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ill 83720-0074
RE:Case No. EAG- W -05-
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has the following comments on the above referenced
case.
In data submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Eagle Water Company discussed three options
and requested approval for Option 3 (Drill a new well). DEQ believes this is a critical component of any
complete and long-range plan that may be proposed in the forthcoming, detailed engineering report. DEQ
therefore can, in this case, support that initial step without review of a formal engineering report. The
remaining comments are details that should be addressed in the engineering report and for individual
projects submitted for review before complete system improvements are installed per an approved
engineering report.
1. DEQ has not seen the data submitted to PUC regarding Options 1 through 3. In that data we
understand that Eagle Water Company asserted that, based upon DEQ criteria, the estimated peak
demand for Eagle Water Company is 2000 gpm. That estimated number may be correct but the
DEQ guidance is not usually used in this type situation. Flow criteria offered as guidance by the
Boise Regional Office ofDEQ is most appropriate for new, primarily residential projects. Larger
existing systems generally keep detailed flow records. These records are usually better tools for
predicting existing and future demands. Site-specific conditions such as changing billing rates
proposed conservation measures, or proposed enforcement measures to control demand, are often
considered while predicting future flows in larger communities.
2. Option 1 (increase the size of the current booster pump serving the area east of old Highway 55).
a. This specific change in pump horsepower may be correct, but DEQ reserves the
opportunity to review the final calculations when the project is submitted for review.
b. The booster station must be upgraded to provide redundant pumps and standby power (or
equivalent) to meet state criteria. This upgrade may be according to an approved schedule
in the forthcoming engineering report.
.. . ,,'
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
September 28, 2005
Page 2
3. DEQ reserves any comments on Option 2 (install a new booster station buried under Big Springs
Street) until our review of the forthcoming engineering report, except for the following. Referring
to Option 1 , but noting that this would be a new booster station, redundant pumps and standby
power (or equivalent) would be required at the time this station is constructed.
Please call me with any questions at 373-0560 or via e-mail at monty.marchus~deq.idaho.gov
Sincerely,
Monty G. Marchus, P .
Staff Engineer
MGM:ve: H:\Eagle Water Company\PUC Case No. EAG-05-doc
cc:Mr. Robert DeShazo, Eagle Water Company, P.O. Box 455, Eagle, ill. 83616
Molly O'Leary, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 7218, Boise Idaho 83702
Jim Rees, P., MTC Engineering
Tiffany Floyd, Drinking Water Manager, Boise Regional Office, DEQ
Charles W. Ariss, P., Regional Engineering Manager, Boise Regional Office, DEQ
Reading File, Source File #l-eng.