MSD to Host Public Hearing on FY 2014 Budget

MSD will host a public hearing tonight at 6:00 to formally present its fiscal year 2014 budget to the public.

The hearing will take place at MSD’s administrative offices located at 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 (corner of Market Street and Jefferson Avenue). During the hearing, MSD officials will review details of the budget and take questions from the public on the proposed expenditures.

MSD’s fiscal year 2014 budget totals $493.1 million and covers the operating, capital, and debt service needs from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. Highlights include:

• $4.4 million in incremental budgets tied to the strategic business plan.
• Approximately $3.0 million increase in expenses related to required regulatory treatment plant process additions.
• Total Capital Improvement and Replacement Program (CIRP) budget of $223.8 million.
• Included in the CIRP is $1.3 million to replace the legacy permitting and plan review tracking system in engineering.
• Assumes the issuance of an additional $125 million in bonds from the $945 million bond authorization of June 2012

In addition, the FY 2013-2016 capital program was able to save money thanks to consolidating sewer rehabilitation projects, efficient planning when designing sewer projects, and lower bids than anticipated on sewer projects.

For the current FY 2013-2016 capital program, MSD projects being able to remain within and under budget by approximately $24 million. MSD anticipates meeting all consent decree and expected regulatory requirements through 2016.

For more information on MSD’s FY 2014 budget, please visit www.stlmsd.com.

Cleaning Schedule for May

MSD started a sanitary sewer cleaning program a few years ago. By proactively cleaning our sewers, instead of waiting for problems to develop, we help reduce problems like water backups and sewage overflows.

On average, our crews clean about 15,000-20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers per day. The type of debris removed during sanitary sewer cleaning includes tree roots, grease, broken pipes, bricks, mud jack, and plumber’s cable.

We will be performing cleaning work in the following areas during the month of May:

• Bel-Ridge
• Sycamore Hills
• Normandy
• Ferguson
• Overland
• Black Jack
• Creve Coeur
• Florissant
• Kinloch
• Wildwood
• Ballwin
• Unincorporated St. Louis County
• Frontenac
• Ellisville
• Town & Country
• Valley Park

 If you have questions, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

April Cleaning Schedule

MSD started a sanitary sewer cleaning program a few years ago. By proactively cleaning our sewers, instead of waiting for problems to develop, we help reduce problems like water backups and sewage overflows.

On average, our crews clean about 15,000-20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers per day. The type of debris removed during sanitary sewer cleaning includes tree roots, grease, broken pipes, bricks, mud jack, and plumber’s cable.

We will be performing cleaning work in the following areas during the month of April:

• Bel-Ridge
• Breckenridge Hills
• Pagedale
• University City
• Vinita Park
• Wellston
• Clayton
• Sycamore Hills
• Ladue
• Florissant
• Brentwood
• Richmond Heights
• Riverview
• Jennings
• Kinloch
• Wildwood
• Chesterfield
• Des Peres
• Ballwin
• Unincorporated St. Louis County

If you have questions, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

MSD Names New Executive Director

 The Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has announced Brian Hoelscher as the new Executive Director, effective immediately. 

Mr. Hoelscher most recently served as MSD’s Director of Engineering and has over 30 years of engineering and management experience.  He joined MSD in May 1995 as Manager of Construction.  His other prior roles at MSD include Assistant Director of Construction Management and Assistant Director of Engineering.

 Mr. Hoelscher replaces Jeff Theerman, who retired as MSD Executive Director in January 2013 after 28 years with the organization.  A national search was conducted for Mr. Theerman’s replacement.

As Director of Engineering, Mr. Hoelscher managed a department of 230 and had overall responsibility for the development, implementation, and management of MSD’s $4.7 billion, 23 year capital program that was finalized with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2012.

 Mr. Hoelscher graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.  He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Water Environment Federation, the Missouri Water Environment Association, and the Engineers Club of St. Louis, the latter of which he is a former director.  He resides in Glendale.

 In making the announcement, James Buford and Michael Yates, chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, issued the following statement:

“One of Jeff Theerman’s legacies at MSD was the development of a highly proficient and accountable management team, whose knowledge and skill in running a wastewater utility is second to none.  Today, we have chosen to draw upon this strength in naming Brian Hoelscher as the new Executive Director.  During his tenure as Director of Engineering, Brian has shown himself to be a highly accountable leader, who understands the need for transparency in all areas of MSD’s operations.  Additionally, his track record of delivering on-time and under budget over $1.3 billion in capital projects brings great reassurance to the Board as MSD continues the first years of implementing the agreement with EPA – an agreement Brian has thorough knowledge of, as he was an integral member of the MSD negotiating team.  Given these facts, and the level of trust we have developed with Brian over the years, the Board voted unanimously to choose Brian as Executive Director.

  “The Board also wishes to acknowledge Director of Operations Jonathon Sprague for his efforts while serving as interim executive director.  Jon’s leadership in the interim role allowed MSD to keep moving forward with several important initiatives and provided a steady hand on the helm of the organization during this important transition.  His performance has once again proven his value as a member of the senior management team.  The Board extends it sincerest thanks and appreciation to Jon for a job well done.”

Introducing Project Clear

“MSD has entered into a consent decree which involves a large CIRP program, CMOM activities, an I&I removal program, and green infrastructure with the goal of removing SSOs and abating CSOs.”

 If you understand that sentence with all its acronyms, then that’s great! But to many of us, that sentence reads like a foreign language. That why it’s so important for MSD to communicate in a way people can understand.

Keeping that in mind, we’re pleased to announce the launch of Project Clear. Project Clear is the engagement effort surrounding the 23 year, $4.7 billion initiative to plan, design and build system wide improvements to address water quality and alleviate many wastewater concerns in the St. Louis community.

Project Clear will ensure that:

• We will be clear in our priorities
• We will be clear in our communications
• We are working to maintain clear water for the St. Louis community

Among the first projects undertaken as part of Project Clear involves disconnecting residential downspouts from the sanitary sewer line. Much of the excess water that contributes to basement backups and sewer overflows comes during storms, heavy rain or significant snowmelt through downspouts, sump pumps and stormwater drains that are connected directly to the sanitary sewer line. In most cases, removing these connections from the sanitary sewer line is so important to dealing with these problems that MSD will remove them at no cost to property owners.

Larger projects related to Project Clear include storage tunnels. These tunnels are in the initial stages of design and planning. As these projects develop and move toward construction, we will keep you updated on their progress.

Green infrastructure solutions, such as rain gardens, pervious pavement and planter boxes, will also be used as part of the effort to create long-term and effective solutions for stormwater management.

Project Clear consultants are conducting field inspections, and initial letters have been sent to those in most project areas. If you see a Project Clear truck in your neighborhood, please don’t hesitate to ask them questions. You may also call or 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

You can find more information on the Project Clear website or by following Project Clear on Twitter (@ProjectClearSTL) or on Facebook.

February Cleaning Schedule

A few years ago, MSD started a sanitary sewer cleaning program. By proactively cleaning our sewers, instead of waiting for problems to develop, we help reduce problems like water backups and sewage overflows.

On average, our crews clean about 15,000-20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers per day. The type of debris removed during sanitary sewer cleaning includes tree roots, grease, broken pipes, bricks, mud jack, and plumber’s cable.

We will be performing cleaning work in the following areas during the month of February:

•  Bridgeton
• Clayton
• Frontenac
• Normandy
• Sycamore Hills
• Bellefontaine Neighbors
• Ferguson
• Ladue
• Riverview
• Florissant
• Brentwood
• Richmond Heights
• Jennings
• Kinloch
• Wildwood
• Chesterfield
• Mehlville
• Ballwin
• Unincorporated St. Louis County

 If you have questions, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

Nominations Needed for Board of Trustees

MSD’s Board of Trustees is accepting nominations for two upcoming openings.

Two seats will become vacant in March 2013 when the terms of Eddie Ross, a St. Louis County trustee, and John Goffstein, a St. Louis City trustee, expire.

Those interested in serving as a member of the MSD Board of Trustees can apply to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay or St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley by February 15, 2013. Each official appoints the trustees in his jurisdiction.

Applications can be sent to Mayor Slay at 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, or to County Executive Dooley at 41 South Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105.

Board trustees serve four year terms and must be registered voters. They must also reside in their jurisdiction for three years, and they must continue to live in their jurisdiction during their term in office.

For information on MSD’s Board of Trustees, click here.

January Cleaning Schedule

A few years ago, MSD started a sanitary sewer cleaning program. By proactively cleaning our sewers, instead of waiting for problems to develop, we help reduce problems like water backups and sewage overflows.

On average, our crews clean about 15,000-20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers per day. The type of debris removed during sanitary sewer cleaning includes tree roots, grease, broken pipes, bricks, mud jack, and plumber’s cable.

We will be performing cleaning work in the following areas during the month of January:

•  Bridgeton
• Kinloch
• Clayton
• Florissant
• Brentwood
• Richmond Heights
• Ferguson
• Ladue
• Calverton Park
• Riverview
• Jennings
• Bel-Ridge
• Wildwood
• Chesterfield
• Mehlville
• Ballwin
• Des Peres
• Unincorporated St. Louis County

If you have questions, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 314-768-6260.

Rain Barrel Storage Tips for Winter

Winter is here in the St. Louis area, and that means it’s time to get your rain barrels ready for storage.

We recommend unhooking the rain barrel from the downspout and storing it in a garage or shed. However, if you don’t have the storage space, you can leave the rain barrel outdoors during the winter if you prepare it for the elements.

Drain your rain barrel, making sure it’s completely empty so it doesn’t freeze or crack. Then, remove the spigots, the screen and the hose and store the items in place where you’ll easily find them in the spring. You may also want to rinse out the rain barrel in order to remove sediment.

If you are storing the rain barrel outside, turn it upside down to keep rain, ice and snow out of it. The rain barrel may stay in its location, but you might want to secure it to keep it from blowing away.

After you’ve prepped the rain barrel for winter storage, you may want to consider redirecting the downspout away your home’s foundation in order to keep water from melted snow and ice away. Attach another piece of downspout if necessary.

MSD plans to rain barrels for sale to customers in spring 2013. Keep an eye on the MSD website for sale details.

A Reminder About Fats, Oils and Grease

Many of us will spend this week cooking, baking and preparing for the upcoming holidays. This is a quick reminder of how to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease after cooking.

One thing you shouldn’t do is pour fats, oils and grease down the drain. Once the grease is poured down the drain, it then sticks to the sides of sewer pipes, both on your property and in the public sewer system. Over time, the grease will build up and block the pipes.

Grease accumulation in the public sewer system can causes blockages in the sewer pipes, which then keeps the pipes from functioning properly. Blocked sewer pipes can cause sewer backups into homes and overflowing sewer manholes, in turn leading to costly cleaning and maintenance, and water pollution.

MSD estimates that about 15 percent of blockages in its public sewer system are caused by fats, oils and grease.

Here are some tips to keep fats, oils and grease out of the public sewer system:

• Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets.
• Scrape food scraps and grease from plates, pots and utensils into the trash.
• Pour cooled fats, oils and grease into an empty jar or coffee can. Allow the grease to cool and solidify. Throw the container in the trash.