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Parra & Co, in collaboration with the City of Laredo and the South Laredo Wastewater Treatment Plant staff, developed an Operations & Maintenance Manual that fulfilled the requirements listed on the Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1 Chapter 217, Sub-chapter A, Rule §217.16.
Based on the background information provided by the City of Laredo, (Preliminary Engineering Report, equipment manufacturer’s manuals, SCADA manual, Emergency Response Plan, Risk Management Plan, Hazardous Mitigation plans, as-built drawings, applicable change orders, applicable communication letters, and any other necessary information) Parra & Co segmented the process into logical sub-units.
Examples of these sub-units being the normal start-up, routine, emergency, and shutdown procedures for the aeration basins (including the basins themselves); the diffusers, blowers, and power control systems, along with the hydraulic, air valves and piping associated with the basins. Similarly, the procedures for the
clarifiers would include the RAS, WAS and scum pumps associated with the clarifiers along with any instruments, power, and controls.
These manuals were also delivered in a searchable pdf format for ease of use for the operators. Further, the Parra & Co team was comprised of engineers and operators, creating a final product that was technically accurate and easy to use.
As the City of Mercedes had been engaging the services of a third-party operator to run the Water Treatment Plant, the City wanted to understand what level of effort was required for them to take on that responsibility. The first step for that was to perform a Due Diligence Study that analyzed where the City was at in that moment, what gaps existed, and what impact it would have on the City to transfer the duties to a City-run Utilities Department.
Parra & Co was engaged to perform the Due Diligence Study, as a sub-consultant to RGBE. Our team started with a 2–3-day site visits to obtain a proper inventory assessment of: list of all fixed assets for the utility, Water Treatment Plant data (stats, figures, records, etc.), Wastewater Treatment Plant information, collect any/all assessments and analysis performed to date, current Chart of Accounts, amount of payments for Utility Operations for the last three years, record of Lift Stations, record of all vehicles, all designated equipment, miscellaneous equipment & machinery, and all technical components (computers, laptops, communication equipment, etc.)
Our team also requested utility bills (electricity, water, gas, phone, internet, etc.), copy of any maintenance / operations agreement separate from the Main Operations Contract (already provided) paid directly by the city, and current job classifications, job descriptions and pay ranges. Parra & Co’s Due Diligence Study provided recommendations on: Estimate number of staff needed to run current facilities, Conceptual Chart of Accounts, Draft Organizational Chart for Utilities,
necessary Minimum Qualifications for new staff, commentary on the need of a separate Department of Utilities or a Combined Public Works/Utilities Department, Proposed Implementation Timeline, Conceptual Budget, Commentary on Levels of Operation & Quality Control, and Commentary on Assumed Risk.
Parra & Co also assisted a Workshop with the City of Mercedes to go over additional questions/changes to the report and found potential estimated savings in the order of $300,000 per year without increasing the city’s risk
SLWWTP Operations & Maintenance Manuals. Laredo, TX
Parra & Co, in collaboration with the City of Laredo and the South Laredo Wastewater Treatment Plant staff, developed an Operations & Maintenance Manual that fulfilled the requirements listed on the Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1 Chapter 217, Sub-chapter A, Rule §217.16.
Based on the background information provided by the City of Laredo, (Preliminary Engineering Report, equipment manufacturer’s manuals, SCADA manual, Emergency Response Plan, Risk Management Plan, Hazardous Mitigation plans, as-built drawings, applicable change orders, applicable communication letters, and any other necessary information) Parra & Co segmented the process into logical sub-units.
Examples of these sub-units being the normal start-up, routine, emergency, and shutdown procedures for the aeration basins (including the basins themselves); the diffusers, blowers, and power control systems, along with the hydraulic, air valves and piping associated with the basins. Similarly, the procedures for the clarifiers would include the RAS, WAS and scum pumps associated with the clarifiers along with any instruments, power, and controls.
These manuals were also delivered in a searchable pdf format for ease of use for the operators. Further, the Parra & Co team was comprised of engineers and operators, creating a final product that was technically accurate and easy to use.
City of Mercedes W/WW Facilities Conditions Assessment. Mercedes, TX
As the City of Mercedes had been engaging the services of a third-party operator to run the Water Treatment Plant, the City wanted to understand what level of effort was required for them to take on that responsibility. The first step for that was to perform a Due Diligence Study that analyzed where the City was at in that moment, what gaps existed, and what impact it would have on the City to transfer the duties to a City-run Utilities Department.
Parra & Co was engaged to perform the Due Diligence Study, as a sub-consultant to RGBE. Our team started with a 2–3-day site visits to obtain a proper inventory assessment of: list of all fixed assets for the utility, Water Treatment Plant data (stats, figures, records, etc.), Wastewater Treatment Plant information, collect any/all assessments and analysis performed to date, current Chart of Accounts, amount of payments for Utility Operations for the last three years, record of Lift Stations, record of all vehicles, all designated equipment, miscellaneous equipment & machinery, and all technical components (computers, laptops, communication equipment, etc.)
Our team also requested utility bills (electricity, water, gas, phone, internet, etc.), copy of any maintenance / operations agreement separate from the Main Operations Contract (already provided) paid directly by the city, and current job classifications, job descriptions and pay ranges. Parra & Co’s Due Diligence Study provided recommendations on: Estimate number of staff needed to run current facilities, Conceptual Chart of Accounts, Draft Organizational Chart for Utilities, necessary Minimum Qualifications for new staff, commentary on the need of a separate Department of Utilities or a Combined Public Works/Utilities Department, Proposed Implementation Timeline, Conceptual Budget, Commentary on Levels of Operation & Quality Control, and Commentary on Assumed Risk.
Parra & Co also assisted a Workshop with the City of Mercedes to go over additional questions/changes to the report and found potential estimated savings in the order of $300,000 per year without increasing the City’s risk.
