COVER ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES ANNUAL REPORT 2014 MOVING FORWARD ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES 2040 VISION STATEMENT By 2040, we have served as a catalyst and are effectively partnered with all watershed stakeholders to: • Enable local citizens the opportunity to establish a personal connection with local waterways so that we can eat local fish and swim in local streams; • Support a healthy and resilient local economy through stable rates, supported by diversifying revenue and maximizing resource recovery; and • Create an informed citizenry regarding the importance of water so that water stewardship is achieved through personal and organizational actions. Tom Van Wagner Vice Chairman MESSAGE FROM THE ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Sustainability continues to drive Alexandria Renew’s operations and strategic thinking. In 2014, we used by-products from our water cleaning process to help power and run our facilities, cutting our need for costly natural gas and precious fresh water. Our state-of-the-art technology and dedicated workforce are helping to put us on a solid path to becoming a water utility of the future. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said, “Clean water isn’t just a health priority, it’s an economic necessity.” And as we learned last year, Alexandria Renew is an engine of economic growth. William Dickinson Secretary-Treasurer A groundbreaking study sponsored by the Water Research Foundation and the Water Environment Research Foundation estimated that Alexandria Renew will create 440 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade, with $830 million in total economic output. Along with protecting the environment and the public’s health, it’s yet another way of giving back to the Alexandria community. This was all made possible because Alexandria Renew focuses on providing world-class service and environmental excellence to the community we serve with strict oversight, transparency, and financial controls. Bruce Johnson We especially keep a sharp eye on rates. Stable rates are important to our customers and a benchmark for Alexandria Renew. They provide certainty to residents and businesses alike and allow them to better plan and budget for today and the future. In 2013, we announced a series of small rate increases over a three-year period, and as promised, we’ve stuck to them with no surprises. Our rates are comparable to those of water cleaning utilities in surrounding areas. This year, Alexandria Renew also made an extra effort to reach out to the community to tell the story about who we are and why we matter. We spoke to neighborhood associations, conducted numerous tours, and held an open house of our award-winning facility. We’re water stewards and working to make a lasting impact on the environment and our lives—a vision that we at Alexandria Renew and this great community can fully embrace. Matthew Ries AlexRenew’s Board of Directors is a five-member body of citizens who are appointed by the Alexandria City Council to four-year staggered terms. The board is a public body in all respects, but is independent of the City government administratively and financially. John Hill Chairman Karen Pallansch Chief Executive Officer ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES 2014 HIGHLIGHTS fall. s i h t g rtin y, sta Monthl ble ina sta u ss fall! this n ing id o tart pa , s e t! thly ill b un on bill w cco m a w s ive arr ene ving will xR sa t bill r Ale g or ee u in Str 67 es in 45 4 ris y! 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B ndri P.O xa Ale 00 00 40 87 3 67 45 on ps om Th t 14 el ee 23 mu Str A 2 Sa ain a, V Mr. 0 M ndri 10 xa le A 0 00 A SWITCH TO MONTHLY BILLING This fall, AlexRenew residential customers began receiving monthly bills for wastewater treatment services. For the past two years, bills were sent out quarterly. The change was prompted by Virginia American Water’s (VAW) decision to begin billing on a monthly basis for the drinking water it provides City residents. AlexRenew relies on VAW water usage data to calculate its customers’ wastewater treatment charges. The switch will make it easier for customers to better manage their household budgets, ensure accurate statements, and detect unusual water usage spikes that could be the sign of a leak inside their homes. 0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 In July, AlexRenew Chief Executive Officer Karen Pallansch was named President of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, a national organization involved in all facets of water quality protection. AlexRenew CEO’s Karen Pallansch’s essay in The Value of Water: A Compendium of Essays by Smart CEOs, states that “more than sustaining life and helping to grow the foods that nourish us, water and a reliable water infrastructure fuel our economy, spur job growth and help build stronger, healthier communities.” ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES 2014 GIVING BACK THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY RECLAIMED WATER|RENEWABLE ENERGY|REPLENISHED LAND WATER Cleaned 13.2 billion gallons of water Removed 4.3 million pounds of nitrogen, 660,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 32.3 million pounds of sediment LAND Provided 21,300 wet tons of biosolids to enrich farmland in 15 Virginia counties. RECLAIMED WATER Reclaimed 1.4 billion gallons to help run our equipment ENERGY Produced 157 million cubic feet of gas and used 92% of it to help operate our facilities MAJOR UPGRADE, MAJOR PROGRESS AlexRenew’s State-of-the-Art Nitrogen Upgrade Program (SANUP) is underway, on time, and within budget. The project will be completed in late 2015. The centerpiece of Alexandria Renew’s latest expansion will allow the water resource recovery facility to remove 62 percent more nitrogen from its treated water. BIOLOGICAL REACTOR BASIN COMPLETED The sixth and final Biological Reactor Basin (BRB) holds approximately four million gallons of wastewater and specialized, safe microorganisms that help clean the water. CENTRATE PRETREATMENT FACILITY COMPLETED The Centrate Pretreatment Facility (CPT) is the first designed and separately constructed full-scale sidestream deammonification system in North America. The CPT process uses ANAMMOX® bacteria that works in tandem with other varieties of microorganisms to transform ammonia into nitrogen gas that can be released safely into the atmosphere. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FACILITY CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY The 18-million gallon Nutrient Management Facility (NMF) will help AlexRenew better manage the biological treatment process that removes nitrogen from used water. The NMF will feature a synthetic turf athletic field built by AlexRenew on top of the tanks. The field will be available for community use and run by the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. Construction will be completed in late 2015. A RENEWABLE CONSTRUCTION SITE Contractors carpooled and saved over 7,000 miles of travel, 300 gallons of gas, and 2.9 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Construction trailers used high-efficiency lighting, low flow toilets, and energy-efficient electronics. 92.6% of construction waste – 380 tons – was recycled or salvaged. THE SIGHTS AND SOUND OF PROGRESS Last fall we began pouring concrete into the bottom of the Nutrient Management Facility (NMF) and then started installing precast concrete panels for the wastewater holding tanks. Four tanks will be encased in the NMF, each holding roughly 4.5 million gallons of wastewater. A backup generator for the NMF was delivered to the site and set to provide power to the structure during power outages. The construction site can be viewed any time on our webcam at www.alexrenewnmf.com. MAKING THE INVISIBLE THE VISIBLE FOUR MILE RUN PUMP STATION RECONSTRUCTION AlexRenew operates four pump stations, which push wastewater toward its facilities off Eisenhower Avenue to be treated. The Four Mile Run Pump Station, built in 1956, needs an update. Work on the pump station began this year, and is slated to be completed in Summer 2016. The reconstruction and upgrades to the facility include enhanced odor control and even better prevention of sewer overflows. With help and direction from the Four Mile Run Restoration Task Force and the Arlandria Action Plan Advisory Group, AlexRenew is working to “make the invisible the visible.” In 2016, the pump station will install learning centers along its Commonwealth Avenue fenceline, so everyone walking by can learn more about Alexandria’s water system. MAINTENANCE REVITALIZATION BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE Taking care of parts and equipment helps save money and time in the long run. This year, AlexRenew revitalized its maintenance shop by: • Updating its computerized maintenance management system; • Developing metrics to track performance; and • Implementing a five-step system to “sort, set-in order, shine, standardize, and sustain” AlexRenew’s working shop. INNOVATION IS CREATING VALUE THROUGH GOOD IDEAS Reduced Energy and Chemical Use Through Sidestream Deammonification Alexandria Renew Enterprises is an innovator through its pilot program using ANAMMOX® bacteria. We were the first in the nation designing and separately constructing a full-scale sidestream deammonification system. Anammox bacteria converts ammonia and nitrite in wastewater into safe nitrogen gas that will be released back into the atmosphere. The anammox-based system uses significantly less energy and chemicals than conventional wastewater cleaning processes, thereby providing significant cost savings—as much as 25% for energy and chemicals. “Seed” Material for DC Water to Result in Renewable Energy Source As an active member of the water community in the National Capital Region, we assisted DC Water by providing 2.8 million gallons of digested biosolids for seed material to start its anaerobic digester process. These digesters will eventually produce methane gas, which can be used as an energy source—saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. DC Water at work on its upgrade in Washington, DC. Sharing Knowledge: Department of Commerce International Water Issues Conference In July 2014, we hosted the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Water Issues Conference. The conference focused on global water topics, including wastewater treatment, drinking water, fracking, new technologies, bringing products to market, stewardship, standards, regulations, and energy neutrality. Hosting International Water Issues Conference. Alexandria Renew Apprenticeship Program TRAINING FOR CAREERS IN WASTEWATER The Alexandria Renew Apprenticeship Program offers apprenticeships in individual occupations, allowing apprentices to gain the education and experience necessary for success within the field of wastewater treatment. The occupations are: Waste Water Systems Technician, Waste Water Mechanic, and Control Systems Technician (Electrician). All programs consist of related academic instruction and on the job training, designed to complete simultaneously within two to four years, depending upon the type of apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship Program is administered by the AlexRenew Human Resources department with support from the Fairfax Public School System and Northern Virginia Community College and is certified by the Division of Apprenticeship Training, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Dwayne Foreman says that electrical work is challenging, but it feels great when he fixes an electrical issue. Ashley Richardson appreciates the opportunity to work on all processes in the plant at AlexRenew. Two of our apprentices are Dwayne Foreman and Ashley Richardson, who are grateful for their mentors at AlexRenew. Dwayne Foreman has been with Alexandria Renew Enterprises for 20 years, starting his career after graduating from high school. Dwayne started in buildings and grounds, and moved to maintenance and the warehouse. He is now in his fourth year as a Control Systems Technician (Electrician) apprentice, and his goal is to complete the program and get his journeyman’s license, meaning he will become a certified electrician. Ashley Richardson started at Alexandria Renew Enterprises in 2011. Prior to her career at AlexRenew, she was in the Navy, in charge of maintaining the weapons on the ship, and after leaving the Navy, she went to HVAC school. She was looking for a place to do HVAC maintenance and found the Alexandria Renew apprenticeship program. Ashley is now in her second year in the apprentice program for Waste Water Systems Technician. AlexRenew partners with the Urban Alliance Foundation’s internship program, whose goal is to empower young people in need to aspire, work, and succeed through paid internships, formal training and mentoring. L to R: Petrona Lopez, Johnnie Wallace, AlexRenew Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Jenny Melara, and Fredis Naverrete. CLEAN WATER, HEALTHY ECONOMY AL N AT IO N M IC ECO N O R & LABO OF S T IM PA C E R T A T H E W E C TO R S Y U T IL IT EX EC UT Over 10 years, AlexRenew will provide 440 direct and indirect jobs and $830 million in total economic output to our community. RT IV E R EP O The National Economic & Labor Impacts of the Water Utility Sector is available at http://www.waterrf.org/ PublicReportLibrary/4566b.pdf AlexRenew CEO Karen Pallansch at the Water Works! press conference on Capitol Hill. L to R: Kevin Faulconer, Mayor, San Diego, Rep. Bob Gibbs, K. Pallansch, Rep. Tim Bishop, Riki Hokama, President, National Assn. of Counties. Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, also spoke. According to a major economic study released in September, Alexandria Renew Enterprises will create a projected 440 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade with an accompanying $830 million in total economic output for the Washington-Alexandria-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area. The study was conducted by the California-based AECOM and was co-sponsored by the Water Research Foundation and the Water Environment Research Foundation. AWARD-WINNING Environmental Steward PLATINUM PEAK PERFORMANCE AWARD For the ninth consecutive year, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies bestowed upon Alexandria Renew Enterprises its prestigious Platinum Peak Performance Award for outstanding 100% compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements. AN EXTRAORDINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ENTERPRISE The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded AlexRenew its top rating in environmental stewardship, recognizing the organization as an Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise. There are only about 30 public agencies and private companies throughout Virginia that have been awarded DEQ’s top recognition. Among these 30 recipients, AlexRenew is one of only seven local government-level entities to receive this award. Ecological Study of Hunting Creek In partnership with George Mason University (GMU), we are conducting an ecological study of Hunting Creek, where the water cleaned by AlexRenew is released. This study, which began in 2013, will examine several components: water quality, benthos and plankton monitoring, fish monitoring, and bioavailability of micro-pollutants. The goal of these studies is to provide baseline and ongoing trend analysis of the ecosystems receiving treated effluent—and ultimately reclaimed water— from the treatment facilities. Hunting Creek at sunset. 44 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE Tribute to Ed Semonian Alexandria Renew Enterprises Board Member and former Chairman Ed Semonian retired in January 2014 after 44 years of exemplary service and leadership. A native of the City, Mr. Semonian joined the then Alexandria Sanitation Authority (ASA) in 1969 as a Board Member and was its chair for 31 years beginning in 1979. At a retirement ceremony at Alexandria Renew’s campus, attended by Alexandria Mayor Euille, Mr. Semonian was presented with a plaque honoring his service, and a conference room in Alexandria Renew’s Administrative Building now bears his name. ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES GIVING BACK THROUGH SERVICE HUNDREDS TOURED ALEXRENEW IN 2014, INCLUDING VISITORS FROM... George Washington University|St. Mary’s Pack 301 Boy Scouts|ITT Technical College|Washington Latin Public Charter School|Northern Virginia Community College Environmental Science Class|T.C. Williams High School Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy|St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School|Cub Scouts|Alexandria Garden Club|Water Environment Federation Leaders|Renmin University of China|Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association|Smithsonian Institute Educators|Embassy of Denmark|Federal Water Quality Association| George Washington Middle School|Mountain Empire Community College EARTH DAY: ARE YOU AN ECO-CITIZEN? AlexRenew is a proud cosponsor of Alexandria Earth Day, where it presents the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. Ms. Pickering’s life was dedicated to the City’s preservation and conservation. In 2014, the winner was Upcycle Creative Reuse Center. Located in Del Ray, it collects and redistributes reusable material for art and learning purposes. ALICE FERGUSON POTOMAC WATERSHED CLEANUP AlexRenew employees volunteer every year at the watershed cleanup. Since the cleanup’s inception in 1989, volunteers have removed more than six million pounds of trash from the Potomac and its tributaries. HOOFFS RUN CLEANUP Clark-US and AlexRenew employees spent a morning cleaning up Hooffs Run, a tributary that runs past the Alexandria African American Heritage Cemetery and through the AlexRenew campus. water WORKS We invited the Alexandria community to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon in September to learn more about how our water system works. FOR ALEXANDRIA ALEXRENEW OPEN HOUSE AlexRenew held its second annual open house, featuring tours and hands-on exhibits showing how the facility cleans water. SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Joining us at our open house: • Alexandria Seaport Foundation • City of Alexandria • Clark-US • Friends of Dyke Marsh • Greater Cincinnati Water Works • Land Design • The Urban Alliance • Virginia American Water • VA Cooperative/Master Gardeners REACHING THROUGH TEACHING Darel Stevens, Team Lead, explaining how electricity operates at a hands-on exhibit in the AlexRenew laboratory. This year, AlexRenew also participated in Earth Force, which teaches students that the future of our environment is up to all of us. ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES OUR CLEAN WATER TIMELINE 1940s Sewage flows directly into Potomac, a major health hazard. 1800s “State-of-the-art” sewer system installed, carrying both runoff and sanitary sewers. 1948 Congress passes Federal Water Pollution Control Act. 1956 Plant goes into operation, treating sewage 24/7, 365 days a year. 1952 Alexandria City Council creates City of Alexandria, VA Sanitation Authority (ASA), first Authority in Virginia. 1970 First Earth Day. 1970s Algae in the Chesapeake Bay create “dead zones.” 1965 President Johnson “hopes to make the Potomac a model of beauty.” 1972 Clean Water Act enacted. ASA begins first upgrade and expansion. 1971 VA’s Potomac Embayment standards limit amount of pollution in water discharges. 1987 Bay Agreement signed to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in Bay. 1984 ASA completes construction of expansion and upgrade to advanced wastewater treatment. 2005 VA issues regs requiring greater reduction of nitrogen discharge from wastewater treatment facilities. 2012 On Earth Day, ASA becomes Alexandria Renew Enterprises. 2002/2003 ASA upgrade Initial operation of 2011 completed on nitrogen system Alexandria City full facility. begins. 2003 Council approves 1999 Nitrogen upgrade design. ASA begins discharge from construction to 2009 plant reduced by upgrade and meet Work begins on State80%. new state and regional of-the-Art Nitrogen standards to protect the Upgrade Program Chesapeake Bay. (SANUP). 2014 AlexRenew receives its ninth year of best-in-class continuous clean water award. STEADY AND STABLE FOR THE LONG TERM AlexRenew Financials Where does AlexRenew’s revenue come from? Alexandria Renew has two major sources of revenue: sewage treatment charges paid by customers, and reimbursement of a proportion of expenses from Fairfax County. Revenues Sewage treatment charges $37,606,611 Fairfax County Operating 10,816,400 Improvement, Renewal & Replacement Total 2,184,600 50,607,611 Non operating Revenues Investment income 283,272 Proceeds from debt 14,094,979 Sale of Property 1,000,000 Grants 8,075,005 Fairfax County Capital Project Contribution 41,901,391 Total 65,354,647 Total Revenues $115,962,258 EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING For the third time, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded AlexRenew with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award is the highest form of recognition in the field of governmental accounting and financial reporting. What does AlexRenew’s revenue pay for? $4,063,720 JOINT IMPROVEMENT, RENEWAL & REPLACEMENT Overhauling and maintaining critical equipment, energy efficiency, alternative energy generation, information technology projects, and sustainable infrastructure replacements for our retail and wholesale customers. $13,063,195 PERSONNEL SERVICES Providing best-in-class water professionals for effective and safe operations. $11,536,574 DEBT PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS Paying back loans taken in previous years to upgrade and maintain AlexRenew. $4,039,177 ALEXANDRIA-ONLY PROJECTS Overhauling and maintaining facilities that provide service only to City customers. $2,225,072 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Maintaining the facilties’ material and equipment for retail and wholesale customers. $1,660,137 CHEMICALS Paying for chemicals needed to support water cleaning processes. $70,496,761 JOINT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Constructing facilities that support major programs for both retail and wholesale customers. $1,438,891 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Providing outsourced services to support AlexRenew’s core function areas. $3,224,653 UTILITIES Costs for the natural gas, electricity and water needed to operate the plant. $1,641,233 ARLINGTON SEWAGE DISPOSAL Supporting the operations and maintenance associated with the City’s allocated capacity at the Arlington County Water Pollution Control Plan. $1,399,477 BUSINESS SUPPORT Providing back-office support and community education and outreach. ALEXANDRIA RENEW ENTERPRISES 1500 EISENHOWER AVENUE ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 WWW.ALEXRENEW.COM 703.549.3381 QUESTION ABOUT BILLS: 703.549.3383 FOLLOW US! FACEBOOK alexandria renew TWITTER @alexrenewceo
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