Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/15/2016

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Utility Supervisor Nelson explained that with the Flint, Michigan situation, they had been purchasing water from Detroit and then went with a surface water system. Flint's water main is very old and many service lines from the water main to the house are made of lead. He explained that when Flint switched its water supply, the water was more acidic so it ate away the water main system and released lead into the water supply. Utility Supervisor Nelson stated all of Ramsey's water lines are copper or Endopure plastic so lead is not an issue. Utility Supervisor Nelson presented the information contained within the 'On Call Bible,' noting that during off hours, one employee is always on-call to handle emergency situations. He stated the Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) System (water tower control system) can be checked and controlled remotely through cellular telephones and entering a secured password. In that way, it can prevent an on-call employee from having to respond during off hours. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated this feature has saved the City a lot in overtime costs. Councilmember Johns asked if everyone takes a turn with the on-call schedule. Utility Supervisor Nelson explained that once a year, employees pick the time to be on-call. Public Works Superintendent Riemer clarified that all employees are not scheduled for on-call but eight or nine employees have elected to do so. He provided a demonstration of the water and sewer system information he can monitor remotely and explained how an IT contract service manages the software. Chairperson Riley asked if only one pump is run during the winter months. Utility Supervisor Nelson responded in the affirmative and stated in the summer months, irrigation is a large water user. Chairperson Riley asked about 2006 through 2015, noting the water pumped is consistent even though the City's population increased. Utility Supervisor Nelson stated that while he hopes it has to do with conservation, it may have more to do with wet summers. He reviewed the City's educational efforts and conservation measures through odd/even sprinkling. Utility Supervisor Nelson explained a constant leak can be detected when the water meter has constant movement, 24 hours a day, for 35 days in a row. There can also be intermittent leaks. Staff sends out leak alert letters to 100 to 150 homes per quarter. Chairperson Riley stated several years ago, there was talk about replacing a pump within a well with a variable model that would save electricity. Utility Supervisor Nelson stated that was done with Well #4, which was designed to run 1,300 gallons per minute. Then later it was found it also pumped sand, which would end up wearing out the pump. Because of that, staff partially shut a valve to reduce the flow but that was hard on Public Works Committee/March 15, 2016 Page 3 of 8