Ramona, South Dakota
Written by Paul Dorwart, EFC Region 8 Category 2 Specialist
Enhancing Water System Sustainability in Ramona Introduction: The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) has spearheaded a comprehensive assistance initiative in Ramona to encourage the sustainability and reliability of its water system. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including Kingbrook Rural Water (Kingbrook RW) and DGR Engineering, significant strides have been made in addressing operational challenges and fortifying the community's water infrastructure. This detailed report provides an extensive overview of the assistance activities undertaken, highlighting key findings and recommendations for future actions, including the need for funding assistance. It emphasizes the holistic approach adopted to ensure a beneficial mutual agreement that provides the citizens of Ramona with a high-quality, affordable, and sustainable solution to their water service needs. Issues 1. Initial Discussions and Planning: The assistance initiative commenced with virtual and in-person meetings, fostering stakeholder communication to chart a course for collaborative action. A virtual meeting on June 14, 2023, convened representatives of General Manager Heath Thompson from Kingbrook RW, Matt Oedekoven DGR Engineering, Deputy Executive Director Jeremiah Corbin, and Training Specialist Paul Dorwart from SDARWS. Discussions centered on transitioning Ramona from bulk water supply to individual service by Kingbrook RW, emphasizing the need for a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to formalize the transition process. It was decided that using Kingbrook's engineering firm DGR to eliminate redundancies and streamline any potential relationship change resulting from the work was beneficial. DGR Project Engineer Oedekoven stated they would commence the facility plan as soon as the town council approved the work. DGR Engineering secured the South Dakota SRF program's Small Community Planning Grant. The Small Community Planning Grant Program was established to promote a proactive approach to water and wastewater infrastructure management. This program provides small communities with funds to hire an engineering consultant to develop a project-specific engineering report, which is a requirement of the SRF program. 2. Addressing Operational Challenges: Subsequent meetings on June 27, 2023, in Ramona provided a platform to explore the operational challenges confronting the community's water system. Mayor Malcomb articulated concerns regarding the need to retain a certified water operator. Mayor Malcomb stated that since they have struggled to keep a certified operator, Kingbrook has provided them with one for the last five years at a minimal cost with a service contract and that if they would ever want to change that agreement, they would renegotiate the contract. Ramona previously blended their well water with Kingbrook but has been buying solely bulk water for the last five years and disconnected the well from service as part of the agreement with Kingbrook to provide a certified operator. The mayor stated that a faction of the community would like to see them return to blending water to keep rates lower or even return to 100 percent use of their well water. General Manager Thompson stated that if either action were taken, Kingbrook would immediately end their contract for providing the certified operator, and the city would have to offer and train their operator. Kingbrook Operations Supervisor Brian Callies stated that Kingbrook currently operates Ramona's tower. Still, during winter, the water level is reduced to keep it from freezing up, and if a complete takeover occurs, they do not provide fire protection levels and do not currently need the town's tower or fire hydrants. Kingbrook would consider adding a surcharge to the customer to retain the fire protection level that the city currently provides. SDARWS Training Specialist Dorwart suggested doing a hydrant and flow assessment for the community, repairing the inoperable hydrants, and inspecting the well to assess the condition if it were to be brought back into use. Operations Supervisor Callies also suggested they get the tower cleaned and inspected and offered to include it in their maintenance and inspection bid to save Ramona mobilization costs. The mayor agreed to the assessment and repairs, and the cleaning and inspection will be scheduled with the Kingbrook storage tanks. Mayor Malcomb stated they will discuss this and the facility plan at their next council meeting. He also expressed his desire to have a public meeting to allow input from citizens and the council. SDARWS and Kingbrook stated they would be available to answer questions during the meeting. 3. Tower Inspection and Maintenance: Ramona's water tower was inspected on August 16, 2023. The inspection, facilitated by expert technicians from Badger State Inspection, unveiled critical structural deficiencies and coating degradation, necessitating urgent remedial action. Detailed findings underscored the imperative for structural repairs, interior and exterior coating replacements, and adherence to regulatory standards outlined by OSHA and AWWA. The report found that the condition of the 50,000-gal capacity tank was as follows: Based on the inspection data, some miscellaneous structural modifications and repairs are required. These modifications and repairs bring the tank into compliance with OSHA regulations and AWWA standards and allow for better coating bonding and safer access in and on the tank. The interior coating is in deplorable condition; the coating has been blistering for some time, and there are many significant areas of failure throughout the interior. Pitting has also occurred in many places, and some pit weld repairs may be needed. The coating is nonrepairable and should be replaced within 1-2 years. The coating on the interior dry is in fair to poor condition, and there is microcracking in the coating in the sweating areas of the tank. The coating on the landings is in poor overall condition, and the overall condition of the column is in fair condition with noted failures at random locations. The coating is nonrepairable and should be replaced within 1-2 years. Overall, the exterior coating is in fair condition; there are visible coating failures on the bowl and baseplate, and mold is growing on the bowl and column. The coating is nonrepairable and should be replaced within 1-2 years. The costs for structural repairs, full reconditioning of the interior wet, full reconditioning of the interior dry, and a complete replacement of the exterior coatings with containment are estimated at $ 230,300.00. 4. Hydrant Assessment and Maintenance: Proactive assessment and maintenance of fire hydrants emerged as a priority area in optimizing system performance and preparing for emergencies. On September 18, SDARWS Training Specialist Dorwart and Kingbrook RW Operations Specialist Nick Kramer conducted a hydrant assessment and flushing. The evaluation revealed that most operated hydrants are in satisfactory condition, exhibiting decent flow for Ramona's distribution system. During the inspection, they identified three hydrants currently out of service, necessitating significant maintenance. Additionally, several others presented minor issues, such as missing/defective O-rings or the need for lubrication. Operations Specialist Kramer said he would return the next day to check the hydrants to ensure they drained properly and lubricate the tight hydrants. A notable finding was the number 21 hydrant, which has a cracked bonnet that will require the replacement of the entire top section of the hydrant. Training Specialist Dorwart found a replacement part used in the City of Alexandria, and they have graciously agreed to donate this hydrant part to Ramona at no cost. The estimated cost for parts is approximately three thousand dollars for the two additional out-of-service hydrants. SDARWS Training Specialist Dorwart has agreed to undertake the necessary repairs once the required parts are sourced. On December 5, 2023, Training Specialist Dorwart and Circuit Rider Allen Kocmich repaired one of the inoperable fire hydrants; the hydrant had frozen and broken the traffic coupler in the barrel and begun to leak. After installing a new traffic coupler, the hydrant was returned to operation. 5. Well Condition Assessment: A thorough evaluation of Ramona's well infrastructure was conducted on December 5, leveraging advanced well camera technology and expertise from SDARWS Source Water Protection Specialist Kevin Christenson and Training Specialist Dorwart. The assessment aimed to assess the feasibility of reintegrating the city well into the water supply system or blending it with Kingbrook water to optimize resource utilization and ensure no unintended consequences of blending the two sources. Detailed findings and video footage were provided to DGR Engineering for analysis and integration into their facility plan. Estimated costs associated with well re-piping and a water compatibility analysis highlighted potential challenges and underscored the need for further evaluation to ensure optimal decision-making and infrastructure resilience; these costs are estimated at $20,000, which does not guarantee the well's water quality or future productivity. 6. Lead Service Line Inventory Assistance: Recognizing the criticality of water quality management, SDARWS Training Specialist Paul Dorwart offered to complete the City's EPA-mandated lead service line inventory in collaboration with Kingbrook RW and the city of Ramona. The assessment started on December 10, 2023, and will utilize maps and on-site inspections to catalog lead service line infrastructure. Preliminary findings have found that the city-owned a portion of inventory as newer PVC materials were installed in 1993, well after the ban on using lead service lines.
Looking ahead, the path to water system sustainability in Ramona entails a strategic blend of proactive maintenance, stakeholder engagement, and informed decision-making, requiring state SRF funding. With the completion of the preliminary engineering report, Ramona will be able to Prioritize structural repairs and coating replacements identified in the tower inspection report, which is imperative to ensure regulatory compliance and infrastructure integrity. Ongoing maintenance of hydrants, coupled with proactive repair initiatives, will bolster system reliability and emergency preparedness. Continued collaboration with stakeholders and industry experts is essential in navigating complex challenges, such as relationship changes and regulatory compliance, to chart a course toward long-term sustainability and resilience.
The assistance provided by SDARWS has played a pivotal role in advancing Ramona's water system sustainability, leading to improved reliability, regulatory compliance, and community resilience. The need for funding has been established to assist the community through the challenges of maintaining a water system in a small rural community. Through a collaborative approach, proactive maintenance strategies, and strategic planning, significant strides have been taken to optimize system performance and overcome the operational hurdles they face. SDARWS has actively assisted the community in navigating complex decisions to ensure the best interests of its citizens are met. SDARWS has empowered local leaders to make informed choices regarding water infrastructure management, operational optimization, and regulatory compliance by providing expertise, guidance, and support.
This inclusive approach underscores SDARWS's commitment to facilitating transparent decision-making processes that prioritize the welfare and safety of Ramona's residents. This comprehensive report encapsulates the multifaceted endeavors to bolster Ramona's water infrastructure and public health initiatives. SDARWS, with the assistance of Kingbrook Rural Water and the City of Ramona, has demonstrated steadfast dedication to tackling operational complexities, ensuring regulatory compliance, safeguarding community welfare, and promoting informed decision-making for the betterment of the community.