McGill Assists in Obtaining $400,000 in Grant Funding for Two Tennessee Municipalities
THE IPG PROGRAM
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter recently announced 50 recipients receiving funding through the Infrastructure Planning Grant (IPG) program.
According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, this funding is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act and will assist communities and utility districts across Tennessee with long-term planning for their water and sewer systems.
The IPG program is available to utility systems in distressed counties and rural communities on the financially distressed utility system referral list.
The funds awarded can be used in water system mapping and modeling, water system analysis, sewer system mapping and modeling, sewer system analysis, asset management related activities and regionalization studies.
MCGILL ASSISTS IN OBTAINING GRANT FUNDING
McGill is proud to have assisted Jefferson City and Jellico Utilities Authority in obtaining $200,000 each in IPG program grant funding – and with an office location in Knoxville, Tennessee, we are happy to be accessible to our clients in the eastern region of the state throughout upcoming projects.
We understand the critical need for grant funding to get projects off the ground. Through identification of needs, our staff support numerous local governments in their efforts to explore and secure funding opportunities.
Our team possesses a wealth of experience in grant research, development, writing, and administration – including federal, state, local, and foundation funding regulations, policies, procedures, reporting, and timelines. We maintain solid relationships with funding agencies to stay current on opportunities and programming changes, allowing us to constantly provide excellent service to our clients.
JEFFERSON CITY PROJECT SUMMARY
With the City’s first IPG grant, McGill will be assisting Jefferson City with mapping, multiple installations of temporary and permanent zone meters including pressure recorders.
We will initially map the critical assets by using handheld GPS units with information derived from any existing / as-built maps and utility input with the final output being a GIS map from ESRI software. Included in this step, McGill will make condition assessments on critical assets, where applicable.
In partnership with Jefferson City, we will review the existing system pressure zone(s) for access points for multiple, temporary installations of strap-on ultrasonic (zone) meters and pressure recorders on fire hydrants as well as permanent installations of zone meters at critical point(s) identified in the system.
After deployment of these devices, data will be recorded over a specific period of time and compared to existing system conditions, recent billing history, SCADA, and operation and maintenance expenses.
From the mapping, zone metering and pressure recorder process, McGill will integrate data into a system model for a hydraulic analysis using an engineering-grade modeling software to further aid in the development of a water loss report and system restrictions. In the report, an engineering summary of recommendations will be developed of the possible contributing factors to water losses incurred as monitored above, including but not limited to pipes, gate valves, pressure-reducing valves, master meter(s) calibrations, service lines, and past maintenance issues. The summary will also provide a list of capital improvement projects with an estimate of probable construction costs.
JELLICO UTILITIES AUTHORITY PROJECT SUMMARY
McGill will be assisting Jellico Utilities Authority with its 2nd round of IPG funding for mapping and manhole condition assessments. We will be further updating existing GIS maps using all available and relevant applicant records related to the history of the system, past and present work, maintenance orders, as well as any as-built drawings on file.
The mapping effort will update the existing GIS system by using handheld GPS units developed with ESRI software. Included in this step, we will make continued condition assessments on manholes and other critical assets, where applicable.
McGill, along with Jellico Utilities Authority staff, will review the existing system basins and install the appropriate number of sewer flow monitors. After rainfall events of specific depth, the flow monitoring data will be collected, and units relocated in multiple deployments.
With this data and manhole condition assessments, smoke testing will be the next step. With the finalization of smoke testing, multiple CCTV deployments will be considered for further examination of suspect lines. All condition assessments from this fieldwork will then be incorporated into the final report.
Upon completion of sewer flow monitoring, manhole condition assessments, smoke testing, and limited CCTV, McGill will integrate data into a system model for a hydraulic analysis using an engineering-grade modeling software to further aid in the development of an SSES report and system restrictions. In the report, a summary of recommendations will be developed of the possible contributing factors to inflow and infiltration incurred as monitored above, including but not limited to pipes, service lines, manholes, and past maintenance issues. The summary will also provide a list of capital improvement projects with an estimate of probable construction costs.
McGill Principal and Knoxville Office Manager Jamie Carden said, “We have been involved with Jellico Utilities Authority and the City of Jefferson City for a number of years with system-wide improvements. Like many smaller communities, they are limited on funds for detailed evaluations for future improvements. With their successful applications for Infrastructure Planning Grant dollars, both entities can now develop a more comprehensive capital improvement plan for use by various funding agencies in a continued effort to improve day-to-day operations and system assets.”
SHAPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH WATER / WASTEWATER ENGINEERING
McGill understands that by providing comprehensive, cost-effective, and innovative water and sewer solutions for our clients, we are shaping their communities for the better.
Our staff has performed all aspects of project delivery for water and wastewater projects, including planning, funding assistance, asset management, permitting, water and sewer system modeling, treatment plant modeling, preliminary design, final design, plan preparation, CADD and GIS production, cost estimating, preparation of technical specifications and contract documents, construction administration and engineering, and project commissioning services.
LEARN MORE
Click here to learn more about McGill’s consulting services, and how we collaborate with communities to find innovative solutions to address their needs and map plans for their future – and click here to read about the water / wastewater services that we provide.
