surviving fire, flood, and the partnership for safe water ... · surviving fire, flood, and the...
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Surviving Fire, Flood, and the Partnership for Safe Water Distribution Self-Assessment
Andrea Schweitzer, PhD Fort Collins Utilitiesin northern Colorado
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Fort Collins Utilities• northern Colorado• population of 150,000• 34,000 water accounts• smart meters - new• 162 water staff
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Fort Collins Utilities• Quality water is key for
both residential and business customers
• Breweries depend upon excellent water
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
High Park Fire of 2012• largest wildfire in
Larimer County history• creation of the
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
• good cooperation across many groups
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Flood of 2013• Disaster Declarations
– Presidential– State of Colorado
• Flood plain management was crucial
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Impact on water quality• significant Poudre River
water quality concerns• unable to use river water
– 135 days in 2012-2013– 54 days in 2013-2014
• brought out teamwork• Maintained PSW
quality standards!
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Fort Collins Utilitiesand the Partnershipfor Safe Water• Founding member 1997• 15 years Directors
Award for water quality• Time for Distribution
System Excellence!
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Herding Catsor chasing dogs in a swimming pool
photos from the annual Pooch Plunge
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Taking the PlungeOur steps in the process:• gather the team• gather everyone's input• gather data• gather consensus on
action items• then everyone review
final draft
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Our steps in the process:• Gather the team• ~30% of staff involved• every senior manager• most of the crew chiefs• better if we had more
crew members and operators
• Exec Dir and Ops Manager support crucial
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Our steps in the process:• Gather everyone’s
input• everyone is busy• smaller team meetings
worked best• banana bread helps
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Our steps in the process:• Gather the data• lots to collect and track• tracking spreadsheet
was vital• PSW materials outline
everything (SA Guide, checklists, worksheets, report template)
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Our steps in the process:• Gather consensus on
action items• more than we expected• staff interested and
were supportive of other projects
• good for utility-wide integration and planning
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Barb and Tom will bail you out when needed
• Do check in with them
• helpful to submit drafts for initial feedback
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Our steps in the process:• Review final draft of
the report• save time for review, 1m• staff offered input in
various ways• useful utility-wide and
for training• “I didn’t know that…”
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Evaluators Feedback -• Involve more field staff• More data analysis and
interpretation to make operational decisions
• Review and revise system sampling
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Field Reports from the Distribution System
Evaluators Feedback +• Tools (leak detection,
Smart Meters, CMMS, and calibrated hydraulic model)
• Strong staffing and funding support
• Semi-annual staff survey
Field Reports from the Distribution System
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Thank you very much
Field Reports from the Distribution System
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Questions?