Port Orange awards $458,000 for manhole rehabilitation following major I&I reduction successes

Port Orange awards $458,000 for manhole rehabilitation following major I&I reduction successesThe Florida city has approved two contracts to line sanitary sewer manholes, continuing an infrastructure rehabilitation program that is already preventing 2 million gallons of rainwater per day from entering the wastewater system.

The City Council approved two task authorizations totaling $457,891 with Danus Utilities, Inc. for manhole rehabilitation in the Hamlet Subdivision and Dunlawton Interceptor.

City Manager Wayne Clark noted that ongoing pipe and manhole lining efforts have already reduced wastewater treatment demands by approximately 2 million gallons per day during wet weather.

The infrastructure improvements aim to prevent lift station overloads and reduce the chemical and operational costs of treating unnecessary stormwater.

The city is also advancing major stormwater mitigation projects, including an 8,000-linear-foot pipeline currently in the 75% design phase.

The City of Port Orange, Florida, is advancing its ongoing battle against inflow and infiltration (I&I) with the approval of nearly $458,000 in new sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation contracts. During its July 21 meeting, the City Council approved two task authorizations with Sanford-based Danus Utilities, Inc. to apply epoxy and cementitious lining to aging manholes. The approvals include a $255,137 contract for the Hamlet Subdivision and a $202,754 contract for the Dunlawton Interceptor. The targeted areas were identified as priorities following an I&I study that evaluated the city's 354 miles of sanitary sewer piping and 6,680 manholes. The new contracts build on an aggressive rehabilitation program that is already yielding significant dividends for the utility's operational bottom line. City Manager Wayne Clark recently highlighted the success of the city's ongoing pipe and manhole lining efforts, noting that the program has successfully reduced treatment demands by approximately 2 million gallons of rainwater per day during heavy storms. "By reducing this infiltration, the city avoids treating unnecessary rainwater at the wastewater plant, saving on treatment chemicals, equipment wear and tear, and operating costs," Clark stated. He added that the reductions are crucial for preventing lift stations from becoming overloaded and improving overall system reliability. The operational savings from the I&I program come as the city navigates rising utility costs. The council recently adopted the final phase of a four-year utility rate increase plan based on a 2023 rate study. Clark emphasized that the rate adjustments are strictly designed to cover the escalating costs of service and maintenance, yielding no profit for the municipality. In addition to the wastewater collection system upgrades, Port Orange is pushing forward with major stormwater infrastructure investments. The city is currently at the 75 percent design phase for the Sugar Forest stormwater project, which will involve the installation of approximately 8,000 linear feet of 36- to 42-inch diameter pipe. Staff members are actively mapping underground utility conflicts to minimize disruption during the upcoming construction phase. The city is also coordinating with Volusia County on the "Transform 386" stormwater projects at Portona and Powers, with property acquisition slated for this summer and construction expected to begin in the fall of next year.