public service commission investigator water & sewer branch division of engineering public...

Public Service Commissionhttp://psc.ky.gov

Investigator

Water & Sewer BranchDivision of Engineering

Public Service Commission

PSC INSPECTIONS

Jimmy Adcock


Topics

• Regulations– Which regulations affect you!– Why are there regulations?

• PSC Inspection Program– Purpose of inspecting a utility– Five elements of the inspection program


Inspection Program

• To ensure utilities provide customers with safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, just, and reasonable rates

• To ensure utilities are in compliance with the PSC Statutes and Regulations


Regulations Affecting You

• Commissions Statutes & Regulations KRS 74, 278

807 KAR 5:066: Water

807 KAR 5:006: General Rules

807 KAR 5:011: Tariffs


Why Regulations?

• Inspections are reminders of what regulations require

• Aid the utility in its operation

• So utilities may provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, just, and reasonable rates

• Serve as guidelines for each utility


or This?This?

Why Regulations?


Elements of Inspection Program

Report

Pre-Inspection

Follow-Up

Inspection

Enforcement


Pre-Inspection


Pre-Inspection

• The Central Files contain:– Last inspection report– Utility’s reply– Last construction project information– Meter testing reports– Accident and boil water advisories


Pre-Inspection

• The Annual Report contains:– Latest gross annual utility revenue– Annual water loss– Average daily consumption– Capacity of water plant– Distribution system statistics


The Inspector Cometh

• Inspection Checklist (13 pages)

• Digital Photographs

• Is your Utility ready for Review

• Is your Utility in Compliance

The Inspector is the eyes and ears of the Public Service Commission


Periodic Inspection• Be Prepared

– Fill out inspection worksheet BEFORE inspector arrives

• Get them in and out– Have records and files ready for inspector

to review

• Highlight your accomplishments– Completed or new projects, no DOW

violations


Periodic Inspection

• If the utility discovers a problem or needs assistance, ask inspector for help– Write down any questions you want to ask

• Inspectors look at many areas of the utility, sometimes areas the utility may want to avoid– Leaks at pump stations, rust on tanks


Periodic Inspection

• Office Review (Office Manager)– Posted tariffs, rules, regulations, & statutes– Office personnel security and safety– Office records (new special charges, fees)– Number of customers– Billing cards & Deposit data– Customer complaints & customer service


Periodic Inspection

• Office Review (Utility Manager)– Upcoming construction projects– Rate Issues (proposed increases)– Water purchase contracts– Water loss figures from previous year– New water sales to other utilities


Periodic Inspection

• Office Review (Utility Manager)– Meter testing program– System map– Safety program– Inspection program– Maintenance program and records– Water quality


WD

• Employees should carry current ID’s• Vehicles should be properly marked• Never enter a resident’s home• Employees should be properly trained

– Flagging– Dress (Hard hats, orange vests, boots, etc)– Signs and Cones

• Trenching accidents– 400 deaths, 6,400 serious injuries per year in U.S.

Safety Program


Periodic Inspection

• Office Review (Utility Manager)– Valve program– Accounted-for water loss– Flushing program– Fire protection– Water pressure and hydraulics– Water shortage response plan


Be Proactive, not Inactive or Reactive

• Preventative Maintenance Program• Develop a Systems Management Plan

– Each employee should read and sign

• Leak Detection Program• Training, Training, Training

– It’s vital for employees to be properly trained

• Keep critical replacement parts available


Be Proactive, not Inactive or Reactive

• Promptly notify DOW, PSC & customers of any BWA’s, NOV’s, etc.

• Promptly notify PSC of substantial property damage or major accidents

• Keep response time to a minimum• Document, Document, Document

– Proper record keeping is crucial– Document “everything”– Back-up your data and files


Periodic Inspection

Record Keeping


Periodic Inspection

• Field Review (Certified Operator)– Utility plant– Distribution system– Inspection and maintenance records– Photographs of water plant, storage tanks,

pump stations, deficient facilities– Customer surveys


Inspection Report

• Inspection checklist used to draft report

• Copy sent to utility & Division of Water

• Utility has 30 days to respond

• Sites new deficiencies and highlights any repeat deficiencies

• Written report summarizes investigation, includes photographs


Follow-Up Inspection

• Typically performed at next yearly inspection

• Some situations warrant sooner follow-up inspections

• PSC can help with informal follow-up meetings

• Regulatory compliance is principal goal


Enforcement

• Deficiencies go uncured, follow-up attempts are unsuccessful

• Show-cause hearing may be pursued

• Order may be issued by PSC

• Franklin Circuit Court may get involved

• Goal is to AVOID this phase


Summary

• Regulations– KRS 278, 74– 807 KAR 5:006, 011, & 066– Serve as guidelines for each utility– Safe, adequate, reliable service– Fair, just, and reasonable rates


Summary

• PSC Inspection Program– Reminder of what the regulations require– Pre-Inspection– Inspection– Report– Follow-up– Enforcement


Questions?


Public Service Commission

Investigator, Water & Sewer BranchDivision of Engineering

Jimmy Adcock

211 Sower Blvd.

Frankfort, KY 40602

http://psc.ky.gov

Ph: (502) 564-3940 ext 415

Fax: (502) 564-1582

[email protected]

public service commission investigator water & sewer branch division of engineering public...

Documents

public service commission

inspection program slide

utility slide

preinspection slide

reliable service

tariffs slide

safety program slide

records water quality