The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) provides water and wastewater services to the Ypsilanti area. Water and/or wastewater services are provided to the City of Ypsilanti, Charter Township of Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township, Augusta Township, Sumpter Township and Superior Township. YCUA contracts with the Western Townships Utilities Authority (WTUA) to provide wastewater treatment services for the Townships of Canton, Northville, and Plymouth.Annually, YCUA processes over eight billion gallons of wastewater at their plant located at McGregor and State Streets near Willow Run Airport. YCUA delivers five billion gallons of water each year. In the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, YCUA delivers direct services to every home and business (approximately 18,000). In the other communities, YCUA contracts to provide bulk water and wastewater services.
The annual Operating Budget for the Authority is approximately $30 million. Our Capital Budget for fiscal year 2002 - 2003 was approximately $63 million, due to the large investment in the expansion and rehabilitation at the wastewater treatment plant. Delivering water to our customers and collecting and treating the wastewater generated are the primary functions of the Authority. In addition, planning for the future water and wastewater needs of our communities is a vital function. The YCUA board is concerned with providing the proper facilities to handle the growth of the Ypsilanti area and Western Wayne communities with whom the Authority began contracting sewage treatment services in 1993.
Growth in the Wayne County townships of Plymouth, Canton, and Northville has resulted in a request by the Western Townships Utilities Authority, the organization which represents the three townships, to expand our wastewater plant to treat the wastewater generated in their communities. Presently, the wastewater from the three communities is divided between the YCUA system and the Wayne County system.
Construction on the plant expansion and improvements project, which will add 17 MGD to the YCUA wastewater facility, began in 2002 and will continue through 2005. This plant will then be able to handle all of the sewage of Northville, Plymouth, and Canton Townships. The plans calls for plant updating, more odor controls, safer disinfection equipment, and a more efficient incinerator for burning sewage sludge which will replace our current unit. Engineers estimate air pollution will be reduced by more than 80%. Eight MGD capacity was leased to WTUA will help pay for many of these improvements.
We are in the planning stage of bringing in an additional water connection from Detroit water distribution system. As the municipalities to which we supply water continue to grow, an additional connection is needed for redundancy, so that if our present connection is down for repairs or other emergency, we can continue to supply uninterrupted water to our customers.
Additionally, many water and sewer mains within Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township are identified as needing replacement, either because of age or inadequate size. These replacements are being scheduled as time and funds permit. In 2003, about 16 miles of water main in City of Ypsilanti City and Ypsilanti Township are scheduled for replacement.
Presently, YCUA is in the midst of a plant expansion at the McGregor and State Street site that will add 17 mgd capacity to the facility. This will free capacity to allow growth in the Ypsilanti Community for new homes and industry.
Armed with funds from grants authorized under the Federal Clean Drinking Water Act and local revenues, numerous water and sewer line replacements and renovations are in progress over the next five years to improve the delivery of water in many older areas of the community. A second connection to the Detroit Water System is high on the list of priorities in order to assure water service to the community. The Authority's investment in water and sewer lines and facilities is approximately 100 million dollars. People do not often think of the water and sewer facilities investment because it is mostly underground.
Above ground investments include six water towers including the famous stone water tower near the campus of Eastern Michigan University.
Average water use is 14 million gallons a day. In the summer, use may hit 25 million gallons in a single day.
The YCUA Director and Assistant Director are responsible for supervising the administration and operation of the maintenance department, service department, and wastewater treatment plant. These administrators exercise supervision over departmental Directors and their functions in accordance with approved policies and procedures of the Authority. They also direct general operation and maintenance of all systems, equipment, and facilities owned or operated by YCUA.Other duties performed by the Director and Assistant Director include evaluating and developing goals and objectives for applicable departmental directors, acting as a member of the Authority’s collective bargaining committee, planning and organizing capital improvement projects, developing and ensuring implementation of Authority policies and procedures, and overseeing effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, material, facilities, and time.
YCUA's Director and Assistant Director provide leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plans, including gathering, interpreting, and preparing data for studies, reports and recommendations and coordinating activities among departments and agencies as needed. His position plays an important role in ensuring development of preventive maintenance and inspection policies and procedures for the maintenance and operation of facilities and equipment.
The YCUA Director and Assistant Director oversee the Authority's compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, requirements, and permits. They initiate and recommend new and/or improved practices and determines system and equipment improvements and additions. The Director and Assistant Director work with the department heads in the development and implementation of capital and operating budgets and the Director with financial duties such as controlling the expenditure of budgeted funds and recommending approval for expenditures.
YCUA's administrators confer with engineering consultants, suppliers, and governmental regulatory officials to determine operating needs, training assistance, and staffing. They interpret and apply personnel and other administrative policies and procedures of the Authority including applicable collective bargaining provisions and work rules. They also maintain effective communications and working relationships with employees, governmental officials, and the general public.
YCUA's Assistant Director acts as the Director of the Authority in the Director’s absence and attends all Board of Commissioners' meetings to provide explanations of pertinent matters to the Board.
YCUA's Director of Finance is responsible for the management of the accounting department, maximizing the return of the financial assets of YCUA, directing and evaluating the fiscal functions and performance of YCUA, establishing and maintaining financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and reporting systems; and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance of all accounting and financial reporting functions.
The invoices of the Authority are paid once per month after approval at the Board of Commissioners' regular meeting.
The Customer Service Department manages approximately 22,000 accounts. Staffing is comprised of billing staff, receipts staff, collections staff, and an accounts receivable coordinator. The billing staff processes meter-reads to produce bi-monthly bills for the community. They also schedule requests for service and address any concerns our customers may have about their account. The receipts staff processes all payments that come to the Authority including those received by mail, in person, credit cards, and electronic remittances. The collections staff assists customers in payment of their past due bills. This includes making payment arrangements and working with various outside agencies that help customers in need. The accounts receivable coordinator manages all billing for commercial and industrial customers of YCUA as well as the area Contract Communities for which YCUA provides water and sewer services. These accounts are billed monthly and are closely monitored due to the size of their consumption and revenues.If you have any questions about your service, need to report a problem, such as a leak in the system or a meter, or want to have service started, call 734.484.4600 and press "0" for the operator. Customer Service can handle any request for new service or service changes during normal business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. Monday through Friday.
YCUA's Engineering personnel are responsible for project planning, project management, engineering design supervision, and construction supervision for YCUA-funded projects as well as review of water and sanitary sewer engineering site plans for community development projects.The Engineering Department coordinates all improvements to the water and sewer lines of the Authority. Improvements or additions to the water and sanitary sewer are either funded by YCUA or are projects funded by community developers. The Engineering Department is responsible for project planning, project management, engineering design supervision, and construction supervision for YCUA projects.
The Engineering Department assembles requests for bids or quotes for YCUA funded projects in conjunction with engineering consultants retained by YCUA and for the review of water and sanitary sewer engineering site plans of community development projects. These projects include developments of residential subdivisions, commercial properties, and industrial properties in the communities.
The YCUA Maintenance Department provides all of the maintenance and technical support to the other departments of the Authority. This department provides services and skills such as plumbing, electrical, millwrights, carpentry, masons, and welding.The designation "Maintenance Department" is not entirely accurate because of the mental image it brings to mind of brooms, mops, and lawnmowers. It would be more accurate to call it the "Skilled Trades Department" as in the automotive industry. The job of the Maintenance Department is to troubleshoot and repair equipment, install new equipment, carry out preventive maintenance, and keep a record of the all work performed. These broad categories require a wide variety of skills. 96% of the Maintenance Mechanics and Maintenance Helpers are license certified in wastewater mechanics by the State of Michigan and the CWEA.
The Maintenance Department Administrative Assistant has many duties that including transferring payroll and personnel information to the Payroll Department, generating by computer all work orders completed by the Maintenance Department staff (over 6,500 annually), monthly billing of contacted lift station maintenance, overtime calculations and assisting the Superintendent and the Supervisors of the Maintenance Department with any paperwork and/or reports. Additionally, this individual handles paperwork that is associated with the administration of the Maintenance Department, answers telephone calls, routes appropriate personnel, greets visitors, and arranges appointments for the management staff of the Maintenance Department.
YCUA's Stockroom Control Clerk leads the stockroom control crew and oversees the Maintenance Department's stock of more than $400,000 worth of inventoried supplies and repair parts. Those duties have expanded to include the generating of purchase requisitions and the ordering of parts and supplies for various jobs within the Authority. The Stockroom Control Clerk's broad knowledge of parts locations and the different suppliers that can be contacted to secure these needed parts is priceless.
Maintenance also supports and maintains all of the Authority's computer hardware and data handling systems, 47 sewage lift stations, 13 water pumping stations, five water tanks, 12 meter vaults, the wastewater treatment plant's equipment and facilities, and all other YCUA buildings.
The Maintenance Department's responsibilitites range from the changing of light bulbs to repairing and replacing parts of the filter press that weigh over eight tons. The electric motors serviced range from a computer cooling fan of fractional horsepower, to the blower motors that produce in excess of 2,000 horsepower. The team maintains a network of more than 60 satellite locations. Troubleshooting and repairing the Programmable Logic Controllers that monitor and operate the stations (a system developed by the YCUA Maintenance Department) requires good mental agility. The maintenance and repair of pump stations sometimes requires entry of dangerous confined spaces as deep as 42 feet below ground.
This department also maintains the grounds and performs janitorial services for all YCUA buildings and performs contracted work to other townships and entities such as Pittsfield Township, Augusta Township, Sumpter Township, Superior Township, Scio Township, as well as private pumping stations located in Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park, Cliffs on the Point, Cliff's Pavillion and PineCrest Condominiums (Zeeb Rd.).
Twenty-five years ago, when the Maintenance Department was in its infancy, it was standard practice to contract an electrician to diagnose a simple circuit. The present day Maintenance Department has produced a licensed Master Electrician who used his skills to eventually start his own business. In the department today, it is common for a need to be recognized and an answer will be designed, materials will be selected, and equipment will be installed; all done by the YCUA Maintenance Department. Some of the projects completed in this way are the computer system, the PLC monitoring and control system, the generator safety switches at the pump stations with phase monitoring equipment, and the automatic plate washer.
The physical side of the job can be quite difficult. Pump station call outs are often in the middle of thunderstorms and at odd hours of the night. Pump repairs sometimes require maintenance personnel to work while standing in sewage.
Inside jobs can be just as challenging. For example, ambient temperatures inside the pump stations are always near 100 degrees F in the summer. Some of the jobs are particularly strenuous without the modification of the weather. Removal of the comminutor or any of the sewage pumps from one of the "Big Four" pump stations requires the rigging of hoisting equipment and heavy manual labor by all the members of the removal crew. Add the mental stress of planning and directing the work efficiently and safely, often while working long hours with little sleep, and the demanding nature of the job is clear.
YCUA's Information Systems Operator is charged with the duties of maintaining the reliability of the Authority’s computer data systems. This individual installs the software and troubleshoots related problems on all 85-plus computers and maintains an ongoing audit of the Authority’s computer systems that includes hardware as well as software. The random software audits insure that the programs used by the Authority are registered in YCUA’s name and discourage the use of outside, borrowed or pirated software, therefore keeping the Authority within the legal bounderies of the copyright laws.
The Fleet Mechanic is responsible for the total up-keep and repair of all vehicles located in the Maintenance Department and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This individual's duties expand to include all mowing and grounds-keeping equipment such as weed whips, chain saws, tractors and a small back hoe. The Fleet Mechanic is also responsible for the natural gas, gasoline and diesel powered equipment such as pumps, generators and power blowers.
There are nine Maintenance Mechanics at YCUA. Each must be good at diagnostics, planning, record keeping, and people management. Specific knowledge in the fields of electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and machine repair methods are required and applied daily. A mechanic must have the ability to diagnose and repair many types of equipment and support systems including machinery that may or may not be commonly encountered. Once the problem has been determined, the mechanic must gather the proper tools, material, safety gear, and personnel to do the job. Details can become oppressive when many choices such as cost, size, availability, and priority must be coordinated and justified.
The Maintenance Mechanic must be familiar with and follow all Federal, State, and Local codes and regulations. Flexibility is sometimes required when a vital piece of equipment fails and the current job must be set aside in favor of a more important job. Balancing the emergency work with the schedule of preventive maintenance can be challenging. If the emergency work occupies too much of the mechanic’s time, additional emergency work is created due to lack of preventive maintenance.
The average time required for enough on the job training to produce an effective Maintenance Mechanic is five years. After that much time on the job, a mechanic has acquired enough knowledge to take and pass a skilled trades journeymen examination in multiple fields. A Maintenance Mechanic will have developed and used most of the skills of the Electrician, Electronics Repair, Machine Repair, Pipe Fitter, and Millwright Trades.
Maintenance of all the remote locations requires one full crew, eight hours a day, every day of the year. Maintenance Mechanics are required to work around electricity that ranges from direct current voltages measured in milliamps (fractional amps), to alternating current voltages as high as 13,200 volts. Air compressors can produce pressures as high as 175 psi . Water pressures can be from 80 psi to 2,000 psi. Hydraulic oil pressures of 4,500 psi to 5,100 psi are normal operating ranges.
There are also nine Maintenance Helpers at YCUA. They are expected to learn and perform all of the skills required of a Maintenance Mechanic and assist the Maintenance Mechanics in all areas. Their responsibilities are much more than tool chasers. The Maintenance Helpers' input on job procedures is a vital part of the completion of an assignment.
The largest portion of the physical labor required to complete a job assignment is performed by the Maintenance Helper. In many instances, the Maintenance Helper will perform job assignments without the assistance or the physical presence of the Maintenance Mechanic or a Maintenance Supervisor. This position is generally considered the training position that eventually leads to a classification promotion as a Maintenance Mechanic.
The Head Plant Custodian (Classification #12), leads the Custodian/Groundskeepers (Classification #8) through a prioritized day of painting, cleaning, mowing, snow removal, recycling, and general custodial duties. The Goundskeeping classification is the maintenance entry-level position for the Authority. The individuals hired into this position are far more qualified to perform jobs at the Authority than the simple tasks given to them daily, and as higher level positions become available, they will move on to become even more of an asset to the Authority and the community.
The purpose of the Industrial Pretreatment Program is to confirm that the industrial users of the sanitary sewer system are in compliance with local sewer ordinance limitations. These limits are established to protect worker health and safety, prevent interference with the biological breakdown of the sewage, and ensure pollutant concentrations are not exceeded. In this way, YCUA can assure that harmful substances do not pass through the wastewater treatment plant into the receiving stream. The industrial surveillance staff regularly monitors those industries determined to have the most potential to adversely affect the proper discharge of water into the environment. Portable sampling units are placed at selected points to assure those sources do not exceed discharge limits.The lab operates eight hours per day, 365 days of the year. Automated sampling equipment collects samples at six minute intervals from several treatment plant process points. These samples are then analyzed to evaluate treatment plant removal efficiencies.
The YCUA wastewater treatment plant effluent is monitored to ensure compliance with all State and Federal requirements for discharge to the receiving stream. Tests for suspended solids, phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, fecal coliform, chlorine, oxygen, ph, and metal concentrations are routinely analyzed.
The YCUA Wastewater Laboratory is located at the Administration and Wastewater Treatment Plant grounds at 2777 State Road.
The Service and Water Distribution Departments are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the water and sewer transmission lines throughout the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. These departments are located at the Service Center, 2780 Clark Road, in Ypsilanti Township. This group of employees installs and repairs numerous water or sewer lines each year. There is approximately 300 miles of water and sewer mains that crews maintain. Crews also assure that the sewers are clear of debris by routinely flushing the sewer lines with high pressure jet trucks. YCUA crews will fix an average of 200 breaks in water and sewer lines and install water and sewer taps. In the spring and early summer, YCUA crews will repair any roads, sidewalks, and right-of-ways damaging during any repair procedures. In order to provide the necessary maintenance, the Service department has 27 employees and approximately 30 vehicles and pieces of equipment.The Water Distribution Department monitors and makes adjustments to the water system that services the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Pittsfield Township, Augusta Township, and Superior Township. The Water Department no longer produces water from the deep wells that were located in the City and Township and buys all of its water from the City of Detroit's system.
However, in order to provide water supply and adequate pressure, our operators are operating pumps, filling tanks during low use periods, and using other methods to assure the most efficient water service to our customers. Annually over 7 billion gallons of water are pumped through the YCUA water distribution system.
The Cross Connection Control Program, mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is very important to the health and safety of all of the people that drink water in our community. This program requires us to inspect or to certify inspections made by licensed plumbers of water line connections between clean (potable) water and potentially harmful (non-potable) water supplies.
The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority has nearly 20,000 water accounts in the city and the township that require a water meter to measure the amount of water that each customer uses. These meters range in sizes from 5/8 inch to 12 inches in diameter.
The Meter Service Department's 12 employees perform an important service to both the citizens of our community and to YCUA. In addition to reading almost 10,000 water meters every month, the department performs other services for YCUA's customers. Some of those services include extra or final reads for real-estate closings, turning the water off for plumbing repairs, installing new meters, flushing a customer's service line to make sure that the line is clear of debris left from construction, and, at a customer's request, checking for plumbing system leaks when a customer receives an unusualy high water bill. Our service personnel handle on the average of 500 to 600 of these requests every month.
Unlike other utilities, we cannot remove meters from the inside of homes because of the cold winter temperatures in Michigan. For this reason, we have started a meter exchange program using the latest in metering technology. With the new type of meters, readings can be obtained from the outside. This results in less inconvenience to our customers and allows our employees to read more meters in less time. While it is still necessary to enter a home or business to replace a meter, once they are installed, we rarely will be required to re-enter a home or business.
For your safety, always request proper ID when YCUA employees ask to enter your home in order to access your water meter.
Our billing system collects information necessary to bill our customers fairly and to maintain this equipment so that the customer pays a fair amount for the water and sewer services they receive. YCUA receives the revenue necessary to maintain the high level of services that our customers expect and deserve.
Currently, we are adding 300 to 500 new accounts every year. We strive to respond to all of our customer needs and maintain our high level of service to you.