Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/850954
E n s u r i n g a S t r o n g F u t u r e 33 | P a g e Operations and Maintenance The Operations Department has an aggressive maintenance plan to ensure the safe, reliable and long term operation of the water and sewer systems. A well maintained system helps to minimize down time due to breakage and unforeseen failures. Many talented staff members are working on multiple projects throughout the year. Some examples are: • Valve Replacement Program • Pump Replacement Program • Fire Hydrant Maintenance • Pressure Reducing Station Maintenance • Fleet Maintenance The Systems Operations Group manages the day to day operation of the water system. These technicians work hard to ensure reservoirs are cycled or filled and drained quickly to keep water quality optimum. The recent drop in water demand has made this job even more challenging, necessitating strategic planning and decision making. Staff is also charged with testing water quality daily and continually making adjustments to the system to protect our customers' water supply. The Systems Operations Group staff members are the first responders in emergencies, including water main breaks or other infrastructure crises. These emergencies require staff to think and act quickly to minimize property damage and limit the impact on customers. With the lower water consumption, staff will be installing reservoir management systems to help maintain disinfection residual levels. These systems, which are essential to ensuring that reservoirs are "dosed" safely, require skilled technicians to install piping and wiring to connect the equipment. The equipment must also be programmed by experienced staff so that they can be utilized properly. In order to conserve potable water, staff has installed recycled water fill stations throughout the District. These stations, used to fill Vactor trucks and street sweepers, conserve hundreds of thousands of gallons of potable water per year. Staff also operates the Residential Fill Station Program. This customer favorite is a distribution center for customers to fill containers with recycled water for irrigation.