The Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA) is an
advanced wastewater treatment plant near Wash-
ington, D.C., with a permit to treat 54 million gallons of
sewage per day. The facility, which came online in the late 1970s,
receives residential, commercial and industrial waste streams and
returns clean water to the Occoquan Reservoir.
Approximately 15 years ago, UOSA management determined
that it was imperative to update its organizational approach to
asset management. In addition to a review and update of the
master equipment records, there would be a more scientific
approach to maintenance. A new enterprise asset management
(EAM) system and a computerized maintenance management
system (CMMS) were implemented to reap the benefits of greater
integration of maintenance and financial matters.
Improving Lubrication
One of the first maintenance areas studied was lubrication. The
CMMS had listed lubricants but not in a user-friendly way. There
were some lubrication codes that specified up to three different
lubricant types. An introductory course in lubrication dispelled
many wrong notions. The facility was now ready to engage in
"world-class" lubrication.
A new oil analysis lab was chosen to test oil samples. The way oil
analysis had been managed previously was poor to say the least.
The previous test lab made communication a struggle. The new test
lab's responsiveness was startling. As a result, UOSA became very
conscious of lubricant and machine conditions.
With better oil analysis data being promptly reported, the
By Saul Cizek, upper OCCOquan ServiCe authOrit y
CASE STUDY
18
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July - August 2016
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www.machinerylubrication.com
Lubrication
UOSA
Embracing Precision
At