Standby Generators Keep Water Districts Ready To Operate During Emergencies

What are water utilities?

Water districts and utilities are the infrastructure required to both supply homes and businesses with clean water as well as to remove & clean wastewater.  Water utilities can be private entities as well as public agencies, depending on their location.  Water districts are comprised of six basic parts:
 

• Water sources – can include reservoirs, rivers, or lakes, as well as underground aquifers
• Water treatment – facilities that filter and purify water for safe consumption
• Water distribution system – network of pipes, pumps, and tanks that transport clean water to use locations
• Wastewater collection system – the return network that takes gray water and other waste away from source locations
• Wastewater treatment – decontamination systems that remove or treat dirty water so that it can be safely returned to the environment
• Stormwater systems – system of ditches, pipes, and drains to channel precipitation to safe locations

Water utilities also may be called water districts or regions. Utilities that provide other services, such as grid electricity or natural gas, can integrate municipal water service. Water districts can be either regulated utilities, part of the local government, or private entities.

In most states, water utilities have associations, such as the Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA), that centralize resources and training for water district managers.
 
Power Redundancy For Utilities
 
A stable electrical supply is essential for modern water districts and utilities to function safely and effectively. This requirement exists because the system needs positive pressure throughout to maintain its integrity.
Additionally, the systems require power to move water throughout the water distribution and wastewater collection processes. Many water districts use tanks that are higher than consumers. However, you may need lift pumps or pump stations for changes in elevation or terrain.
 
America's power grid can be unstable. To prepare for outages, water districts work with local electrical utilities. They also back up important equipment with emergency generators.
The EPA has released a guide called “Power Resilience: Guide for Water and Wastewater Districts.” This guide helps water operators plan for power outages.
 
Strong water districts are important for our quality of life. They help prevent boil notices and provide fire protection during power outages. When water utilities lose system pressure, they increase the opportunity for outside contamination to the water. Contaminated / non-pressurized water can require residents to boil their water before consuming (called a “boil notice”).

From a public safety perspective, stable water pressure is important for fighting structural or brush fires. A fire department can use up to 20,000 gallons of water to fight a big house fire. This can greatly drain the water system if pumps are not working to refill the water mains.

The Importance Of Diesel Generators?

Used diesel generators are a reliable source of backup electricity. They are ideal for applications that need several hours of run time. The diesel stored in the generator unit’s fuel tank provides the water district with 12-24 hours of power.

A well-maintained used generator can work with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS). When it detects a power outage, it will start up. It will then quickly supply power to important utility equipment. It will then quickly provide power to essential utility equipment.
 
The 2018 America’s Water Infrastructure Act requires water districts to make emergency response plans. This applies to districts that serve more than 3,330 people. These plans aim to help water districts think through and prepare responses to natural disasters and power outages.

Response plans should explain how the utility will handle an incident. They should also detail the steps taken to reduce the risk and impact of a disruption.

Equipment Needing Back Up

Electric pumps are the most common piece of equipment that water districts back up with diesel generators. These pumps help pressurize the water system. They also move water uphill to other areas or large tanks.
 
Additionally, used generators can be used to back up essential water purification and sewage treatment equipment. This allows the system to process new inbound and outbound water in real time. This is important as holding tanks and wastewater facilities generally have limited storage capacity, which could be taxed during an extended power outage.
 
In areas where heavy rain is likely, stormwater pumps may need a backup generator. This helps them work during storms or hurricanes.
 
Finally, SCATA and other industrial controls / sensors require power to function and will benefit from backup power. Adding emergency generators to control centers or monitoring locations will help local utility operators manage the water district during a power outage.
 
Types Of Generators
 
The generators used by water districts fall into three general categories:

1. Diesel emergency backup generators – these standby generators are on-call 24/7 to supply electricity during an outage. When paired with an automatic transfer switch (ATS), an operator does not need to be present for them to start. The fuel in the tank represents emergency electricity for a number of hours or days.
2. Towable portable diesel generators are on trailers. They can be used for regular system maintenance. They also serve as backup units during an outage. Some water districts use a single portable generator to cover a number of different pump stations, flexing the generator to the area with outage conditions. Pick-up truck towable generators range in size from 20 kW to 350 kW, with units up to 2MW that can be transported by semi-trucks.
3. Small gasoline portable generators – hand portable generators are used to power construction projects or other temporary requirements. You can move these generators by hand, and they provide the smallest amounts of power (4 – 17 kW).

Generator Maintenance Is Essential

Like all essential equipment, emergency backup generators for water authorities require preventative maintenance to ensure they are ready when called upon.

A holistic maintenance plan includes regular preventative maintenance inspections, load bank testing, fluid testing (e.g., oil, coolant), and oil changes. This on-going maintenance program ensures the readiness of the diesel-powered engine as well as the starting components, such as batteries, block heater, and other mechanical components.

Finally, regular generator exercises keep parts lubricated and should be standard for any water district generator.
 
Remote monitoring systems (e.g., BluePillar Onsite Power) can provide water district managers or maintenance personnel with additional information about their generators health and notify them when it turns on.

Maintenance managers may also want to consider radiator washing for generators that run regularly or are situated in environments where particles may clog radiators.
 
Other water authority associations:

• National American Water Works Association - AWWA
• California Water Association - CWA
• Florida Water Environment Association - FWEA
• Georgia Rural Water Association - GRWA
• Texas Water Utilities Association - TWUA
• Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems – WARWS

Story Summary

What are water utilities?
Water utilities are systems and organizations that provide drinking water and wastewater services to homes and businesses. They typically include:

• Water sources (reservoirs, rivers, aquifers)
• Water treatment facilities
• Distribution systems (pipes, pumps, tanks)
• Wastewater collection systems
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Stormwater management systems

Water utilities can be public agencies or private companies. They are responsible for supplying clean water and safely disposing of wastewater.

What Is the current state of water infrastructure?

• Much of the U.S. water infrastructure is aging, with many systems over 50 years old
• The EPA estimates $744 billion is needed for water infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years
• Issues include lead pipes, contamination risks, and failing dams and levees
• High-profile crises like Flint, Michigan have highlighted infrastructure challenges

Key challenges

• Aging infrastructure requiring major upgrades and replacements
• Growing populations increasing demand
• Extreme weather and droughts straining systems
• Rising costs for consumers
• Regulatory compliance and public health concerns
• Funding gaps for needed improvements

What are some key, recent federal actions to help water infrastructure?

• $49 billion program announced to improve global water security and sanitation
• Modernizing the management of our Nation’s water resources and infrastructure improves the quality of life for every American. Under the Trump Administration, Federal agencies coordinated like never before to help ensure that all Americans have access to safe, reliable water supplies essential for our communities, our economy, and for recreation and the environment.
• The Biden administration made a large investment in water infrastructure, $3B to replace lead pipes. 

Emergency preparedness

• Backup power systems like diesel generators are critical for utilities to maintain operations during outages
• The Trump Adminstartion signed the 2018 America's Water Infrastructure Act into law which requires emergency response plans for larger utilities
• Pumps, treatment equipment, and control systems need backup power

Water utilities face significant challenges but are critical for public health and safety. Ongoing investment and modernization will be needed to ensure reliable, safe water services across the country.



 

Kyle Smith | 5/6/2021 11:21:26 AM | 0 comments