1.[Q] Why do we need the WTP?
[A] To provide clean water for the City of Fernley residents.

Few things are more important to our community than ensuring that our drinking water is clean, safe, and reliable. In addition to meeting the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Safe Drinking Water Act - the construction and completion of Fernley’s groundwater treatment plant is the most important issue facing our community. Treating our water with care is an important community investment. This investment pays off in dividends to our health, well-being and the quality of life we enjoy here in our high desert home.

On January 22, 2001, the USEPA set a new maximum standard for arsenic in drinking water. This new standard dropped the maximum level from 50ppb to 10 ppb. This regulation required that all public drinking water systems comply with the new standard by January 23, 2006. The City and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection have agreed that the City will deliver compliant water from the WTP by July 23, 2009, and final completion by Dec 23, 2009.

2.[Q] Will there be any arsenic dust that will migrate to adjacent property owners? [A] No.

The City’s primary concern is the health and safety of its residents, and as a result the City has and will continue to have, Best Management Practices (BMPs) to mitigate all potential for arsenic to migrate beyond the WTP.

3.[Q] Will there be any groundwater contamination from the Solids Drying Basins? [A] No.

Due to time limited circumstances associated with obtaining the Groundwater Discharge Permit for the Solids Drying Basins, City Council approved Staff’s recommendation for the redesign of the WTP’s Solid Handling Facilities from Solid Drying Basins to a Closed Loop Tank Storage System. This system will alleviate any possibility for groundwater contamination.

4.[Q] Will there be a production well at the WTP? [A] No.

The City investigated, through the means of a test well, whether or not it was economically feasible to provide a production well at the WTP. The City Engineer determined that a test well was not feasible. The City currently operates and maintains six (6) main production wells located throughout the City.

5.[Q] Will the WTP be used for vehicle and/or equipment storage? [A] No.

Personnel vehicles will be on site during plant operation, but there will not be a large amount of equipment storage as the Public Works Shop houses all major equipment. Any personnel vehicles that are on-site will be screened as much as possible either by a masonry wall or by landscaping.

6.[Q] The surrounding zoning is RR-2; can a WTP be included within this zoning? [A] Yes.

Section 28.040 of the City of Fernley Development Code, states that a “Water Tank, Water Treatment Facility or Sewer Lift Station” is acceptable within a RR-2 zoning district, with a Design Review.

Section 28.070.090 of the City of Fernley Development Code, states that a Water Facility is defined as, “A water facility for purifying, supplying, and holding water, or a sewer lift station facility, each including appurtenant wells, pumps and control buildings.

7.[Q] What is the truck traffic impact to the neighborhood?
[A] Very Limited.

We expect, depending on truck delivery time schedules, that there will be a potential to have two (2) deliveries every month, or four (4) deliveries every two (2) months.

8.[Q] Are the chemicals used in the WTP process highly hazardous?[A] No.

The chemicals used for the WTP are not listed within the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Bureau of Air Pollution Control (BAPC) Chemical Accident Prevention Program (CAPP) because they are not highly hazardous. As a result, BAPC does not require the City prepare and execute a CAPP for these chemicals. The four (4) types of chemicals to be used on site are the following: Citric Acid, Ferric Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Hypochlorite.

9.[Q] Is there going to be Chlorine stored on-site? [A] No.

Disinfection shall be provided through Sodium Hypochlorite, not Chlorine.

10.[Q] Will site lighting from the WTP be a problem to the surrounding neighborhood? [A] No.

The City (Public Works & Community Development) has been working together to ensure that all outside lighting conforms to the full cut-off criteria set forth in Section 40.040 of the City of Fernley Development Code. This code states that, “all light fixtures shall be installed or be designed to project light downward and away from adjoining properties”. As a result, no site lighting is allowed to penetrate onto adjacent properties. If additional property light shielding is necessary, the City will install.

11.[Q] Does the WTP conform to the City of Fernley Development Code Section 44.020 for minimum road widths for non-residential uses?
[A] No.

The minimum Right-of-Way (ROW) width for non-residential uses is 60 ft. Mesa Drive consists of both 50ft and 60ft ROW. The City is aware of the requirements set forth by the Development Code, and is currently working to comply with this requirement.

In approving the Civil Improvement Plans, Community Development Director Robert “Terry” Gilbert, set a condition on the City that the ROW has to be in compliance with the Development Code prior to Certification of Occupancy.

12.[Q] Where can we get more information about the WTP?
[A] The City of Fernley website (www.cityoffernley.org);
Environmental Protection Agency website (www.epa.gov);
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection website (www.ndep.nv.gov).
More...

In addition to caulking windows, raking leaves and cleaning out gutters, homeowners should put winterizing their home’s water system at the top of their to-do list. Broken water pipes are a major problem, which can be prevented with a little advanced planning. Here are some tips to help you :

· Disconnect and drain garden hoses and store them inside until next spring.

· Repair any cracks or holes around doors or windows to keep cold, winter winds from blowing in and freezing water pipes and meters.

· Wrap pipes in unheated areas with heat tape or cover thoroughly with pipe insulation.

· Expose plumbing to warmer air inside the house by opening doors to cabinets that contain pipes, especially those located on the north side of the house.

· Protect the water meter from direct drafts by shielding it with cardboard or insulation.

· If you plan to leave town for any length of time, ask someone to check the house while you are gone. Don’t set the thermostat below 55 degrees. Do not shut off heat to areas that contain plumbing or fixtures.

· Every member of the household should know where your water shut-off valve is located in case a pipe breaks. Most home meters are near the street and the customer shut-off valve is immediately behind the meter, between the meter and the home.

· The most common times for freezing waterlines is typically mid winter until early spring since it can take a while for frost to both penetrate and later recede from the ground.

· DO NOT apply heat with electrical devices if they can come in contact with water.

· DO NOT use a blowtorch or kerosene heater to thaw a pipe.

· DO NOT overheat a single spot as the pipe can burst due to cracking of the ice.

Be Proactive!

Remember that only the customer can prevent frozen water lines. While many of these ideas may seem an inconvenience, they are surely more convenient than having a waterline freeze. If some of the items appear costly, they will surely be less expensive than repairing a flooded home. So, before winter hits, take the time and make the effort to protect yourself from frozen water lines.

The contents and suggestions included in this flyer are intended to provide helpful information to you the homeowner, but are not a guarantee that a service will not freeze or that damage will not occur. If you have additional questions or comments, feel free to contact the Public Works Department at 784-9910.