Municipal Planning & Consulting

Comprehensive Planning and System Modeling Experience

 

Emergency Water Supply Feasibility Analysis, City of Mercer Island

MPC_Projects2.jpgThe City of Mercer Island selected the Roth Hill team to provide professional hydrogeological, engineering and legal services in order to evaluate the feasibility of developing an emergency groundwater supply for the City. The City is currently supplied with water from the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) supply system. Mercer Island is directly served by two pipelines that bring water to the City from a SPU pipeline in the Bellevue area. The City is developing an emergency response plan for a backup or emergency water supply to serve the island in case the supply from Seattle is interrupted by an event that results in the loss of a pipeline. In order to carry out the plan, the City will need to be ready to establish an emergency groundwater supply system and/or other alternative if groundwater is not a viable option. The Feasibility Study is limited to a groundwater feasibility analysis summarized in a technical memorandum to determine if groundwater supply is available with the quantity, quality and other factors as prescribed by the City.

Sewer Model Development and Analysis, City of Auburn

Roth Hill developed a comprehensive model of the City’s collection system, using Mouse™ software. We worked interactively with the City to obtain physical data and planning information for model input. Procedures were developed to determine estimates for missing elevation data, as well as format and input physical data representing over 150 miles of collection system piping into the model. Population and employment estimates were input to the model and per capita flow rates and diurnal variations were developed/verified, using flow data obtained from King County’s regional I/I study program. Model simulations verified calibration to sanitary flows. Calibration to I/I flows was accomplished by varying model parameters values, within acceptable limits, to match rainfall dependent and base I/I flows identified from County data. Extensive experience with hydrologic model calibration and interpretation of available data facilitated a successful I/I calibration. The Mouse™ model was then used to perform a detailed hydraulic analysis on the Auburn Way South portion of the collection system. The analysis included existing and future conditions scenarios, with multiple variations on potential flow inputs. Alternative cost-effective improvements were identified and evaluated to eliminate extensive I/I induced surcharging.

Comprehensive Sewer Plan Model Development and Analysis, Soos Creek Water & Sewer District

Roth Hill is currently developing a model of the District’s collection system, using Mouse™ software. We are working interactively with the District to obtain physical data and planning information for model input. Physical data representing approximately 100 miles of collection system piping has been formatted and input to the model. Detailed lift station and force main data has been input to the model, to accurately simulate station operation under a variety of flows and physical configurations. Population and employment estimates were input to the model and per capita flow rates and diurnal variations were developed/verified, using flow data obtained from King County’s regional I/I study program. Model simulations will verify calibration to sanitary flows. Calibration to I/I flows will be accomplished by varying model parameter values, within acceptable limits, to match rainfall dependent and base I/I flows identified from County data. Extensive experience with hydrologic model calibration and interpretation of available data will aid in developing a successful I/I calibration. Upon calibration, the Mouse™ model will be used to perform a detailed, system-wide analysis of the collection system. The analysis will determine the impacts of a variety of flow conditions for existing and future scenarios. Alternate cost-effective improvements will be identified and evaluated to address I/I induced surcharging. Optimization of lift station operations is also being evaluated.

Development Plan Reviews

 

Development Plan Review Services, City of Redmond

Roth Hill has provided design review and plan checking services for all new development applications for the City of Redmond for the past seven years. Working with City staff, our primary responsibility is to review construction plans and documents for compliance with the City’s drainage, grading and transportation standards and requirements. We provide redline comments on applicants’ plans and reports so their subsequent submittals meet the City’s standards. In addition to providing plan review services we also helped the City clarify and further develop their standards that developers need to adhere to for project compliance.

Development Plan Review Services, City of Medina

Roth Hill has been providing quality design review services to the waterfront community of Medina for over 13 years. Working with City staff, our primary responsibility is to review construction plans and documents for compliance with the City’s drainage, grading and transportation standards and requirements. We provide redline comments on applicants’ plans and reports so their subsequent submittals can meet the City’s standards. We have provided plan review and permit coordination for over 300 private residential projects including numerous estate level projects. These large scale estate projects require extensive mitigation plan development, environmental review and compliance monitoring throughout the life of the project. In addition to providing plan review services we also helped the City clarify and further develop their standards that developers need to adhere to for project compliance.

Development Plan Review Services, Town of Woodway

Roth Hill provided plan review services to the Town of Woodway. Fronting the Puget Sound, the Town of Woodway relied upon Roth Hill to develop and administer development regulations that would protect the rural character of the community and the environment. We worked with Town staff to update design and submittal standards for projects and provided plan review and construction observation services for new developments. We also evaluated the Town’s existing storm water systems and provided capital improvement project recommendations.

Development Plan Review Services, City of Mercer Island

We have provided, as needed, staff support for the City’s Development Review Process. Duties have included review of construction plans for conformance to the City’s Design Standards, permit processing and field visits in order to ensure compliance with the City’s Grading Ordinance. In addition, we have done field reconnaissance for complaints of possible violations of City grading and drainage ordinances.

Development Plan Review Services, Soos Creek Water & Sewer District

Soos Creek has been a satisfied client of Roth Hill for over 30 years. In addition to providing complete design and construction administration services for capital and developer extension water and wastewater projects, we also review designs for developer extension projects when the developer’s engineer prepares the design. We represent the District when plans are submitted to hold the developer to meet the District’s utility standards for design and construction.

Development Plan Review Services, King County Water Districts Nos. 90 and 111

King County Water Districts Nos. 90 and 111 have been satisfied clients of Roth Hill for over 20 and 10 years, respectively. In addition to providing complete design and construction administration services for capital and developer extension water and wastewater projects, we also review water system designs for developer extension projects when the developer’s engineer prepares the design. We represent the District when plans are submitted to hold the developer to meet the District’s water comprehensive plan and utility standards for design and construction.

Vulnerability Assessments, Emergency Response Plans, and Security Assessments Experience

 

Vulnerability Assessment, City of Auburn

MPC_Projects3.jpgRoth Hill completed a Vulnerability Assessment for the City’s water utilities in compliance with the Bioterrorism Act. The City decided to conduct an Assessment of its system’s facilities that were most critical to service delivery and their utility mission. Roth Hill worked closely with City personnel through frequent team meetings and meetings with the elected officials for approval of specific components. The overall goal of the Assessment was to provide a complete set of recommendations for implementation of a cost-effective, balanced security protection system to reduce the risk of malicious attacks or bioterrorism.

Vulnerability Assessment and Security Improvements Design, Woodinville Water District

MPC_Projects4.jpgRoth Hill completed a Vulnerability Assessment for Woodinville Water District. Woodinville decided to assess each type of facility in their system for one Design Basis Threat (DBT). Tasks were similar to the City of Auburn project above. These tasks were performed in accordance with the RAM-W™ process; the District decided to conduct an Assessment on each type of facility in their system—one pump station, one reservoir, the District office, the SCADA system and one connection to the City of Seattle’s Tolt Water Supply Pipeline. This allowed them to develop a security template for each type of facility so that over time they can install security equipment on all facilities. Roth Hill worked closely with the utility through frequent team meetings and meetings with the elected officials for approval of specific components. The Assessment provided a complete set of recommendations that led to the implementation of a cost-effective, balanced security protection system as it relates to reducing the risk of malicious attacks or bioterrorism. Roth Hill is teamed with Arup for design of the first phase of improvements for eight reservoirs, four pump stations, and the utility headquarters and vehicle maintenance facilities. Design items encompassed a range of improvements including:

  • Gate/hatch/door intrusion sensors
  • Motion-activated sensors
  • Surveillance camera system expansion
  • Access control for pedestrians/vehicles
  • SCADA system biometric security layer
  • Cell phone backup for land line communications
  • Architectural and landscaping security modifications

Vulnerability Assessment, Security Improvement Recommendations and Emergency Operations Plan, King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention

Roth Hill led a team of police and jail experts, industrial hygienists, and transportation experts in assessing the vulnerability of the King County Regional jail system to withstand natural and man-made disasters and to develop mitigation measures and security improvements to reduce the effects of such events. In addition to assessing surveillance, escape, and internal security measures, the team has developed Anti-Terrorist Force Protection recommendations for training, equipment, staffing, and physical security improvements. The Emergency Operations Plan included contact information for local, state, and federal jails and prisons from Oregon to British Columbia, as well as evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures. We have developed comprehensive lists of alternate housing, transportation and other resources that may be necessary in an emergency. Utility interdependencies for water, power, and communications have been key issues for maintaining health, safety, and security of the regional jail population.

Vulnerability Assessment, Soos Creek Water & Sewer District

MPC_Projects5.jpgRoth Hill has completed a Vulnerability Assessment for Soos Creek Water & Sewer District in compliance with the Bioterrorism Act. These tasks were performed in accordance with the RAM-W™ process for water system Vulnerability Assessments. The District decided to conduct the Assessment on two of their system’s facilities that are most critical to the District’s utility mission. Roth Hill worked closely with the District through frequent team meetings and meetings with the elected officials for approval of specific components. The overall goal of the Assessment was to provide a complete set of recommendations that led to the implementation of a cost-effective, balanced security protection system as it relates to reducing the risk or effect of malicious attacks or bioterrorism.

Seattle Center Threat and Vulnerability Assessment, City of Seattle

The Roth Hill, Arup, and Statewide Security team assessed the risk of terrorist incidents at several major public venues and open spaces at Seattle Center. The project involved the inter-related physical assets of 23 separate governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and private organizations. The project considered a range of threats from hostage takeovers to vehicle bombs, and biological and chemical attacks. The process used for this evaluation was the Risk Assessment Methodology for Water (RAM-W™), developed by Sandia National Laboratories. Although the process was specifically developed for water systems, it was easily adapted for other types of systems and sites. The deliverables included grant application materials; anti-terrorism force protection details for open spaces and building protection; structural and glazing mitigation details; a prioritized list of equipment, infrastructure, surveillance equipment and training; and an objective determination of the level of risk reduction provided relative to increasing levels of implementation.

Athletic Facilities Security Assessment, University of Washington

Roth Hill was the Project Manager for this Assessment of security at all of the University of Washington’s intercollegiate athletic facilities. With high-profile and well-attended facilities such as Husky Stadium and Hec Edmundson Pavilion, the site is an important part of campus. In addition to physical and operational security, the project will compare the University’s operations to best management practices at comparable sports facilities. The project was funded by an Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.