Friday, July 30, 2010
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| 1/12/2010 8:21:00 AM |
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Putnam Public Service District prepared for the cold
Carolyn Harmon
For the Putnam Standard
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| Michael W. McNulty, General Manager of the Putnam Public Service District stands in front of one of the districts seven mobile generators. During power outages, generators are in operation continuously, to ensure constant and successful water service. Photo by Carolyn Harmon |
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SCOTT DEPOT - Through December's major power outages, the Putnam Public Service District kept water and water treatment services intact.
When the power is out and without a backup power source, water cannot be pumped, according to Michael W. McNulty, General Manager of the Putnam PSD.
As a precautionary measure and in case of fire or other types of emergencies, the district's water supply was supplemented with water it purchased from the American Water Company, McNulty said.
"We didn't have any customers go without water," he said. "They didn't have problems with their wastewater either."
Generators are responsible for the uninterrupted water service, McNulty said.
"We like to keep everything warm," he said, referring to the district's seven mobile generators.
When not in use, they are heated with block heaters and their batteries charged. During outages, generators are in operation continuously, to ensure constant and successful water service.
They are usually placed at historically troubled areas, such as 5 and 20 Mile Road, near Fraziers Bottom and South Poplar Fork Road.
This measure helps prevent district workers from rushing out during inclement weather. According to McNulty, the secret is planning ahead.
"When we knew the storm was coming, we went ahead and strategically placed generators throughout our system where we experienced problems in the past," McNulty said.
The district serves 11,723 customers, which is water and sewer customers combined. Staying prepared is important, he said.
District workers labored around the clock making sure the generators were in operation, checking for fuel levels, monitoring oil levels, and making sure they were in great shape, McNulty said. The generators are taken on-site, started and kept running. Some of the generators are stationary and have automatic transfer switches.
"We've invested a lot of money in our fleet over the last few years," McNulty said. "This is one of the reasons why."
But McNulty really applauds the power company, he said. He recalls seeing their trucks out on Christmas Day.
"I understand it is frustrating for people to be without power," McNulty said.
To help put things in perspective, he shared his experience in Gilbert, last spring, during the flash flood that struck southern West Virginia and its aftermath.
"I know this isn't going to bring you a lot of comfort, but that was a disaster," he said.
"That's when there is no hope. Being without power for a few days is not good, but keep it in perspective what you're dealing with and what these folks lost - virtually everything."
Some folks may have problems inside their homes because of frozen pipes or water lines.
While temperatures seem to be getting colder, precautions can be taken to decrease the risk of frozen pipes.
Here are some preventative strategies from the National Sanitation Foundation International.
• Let a thin stream of cold water run from a faucet. The stream should be a continuous flow, about the thickness of a pencil.
• Be sure pipes in unheated areas of the home or crawl space are insulated. Many hardware and home improvement stores carry foam insulation for this purpose.
• Leave interior cupboard doors under sinks open, especially if the water pipes are adjacent to an exterior wall. This will allow heat from the room access to the pipes.
• Plug drafty cracks and repair broken windows that could allow cold air to get inside where pipes are located.
• Shut off and drain pipes leading to outside faucets.
• Know the location of the main water shutoff valve in your home. Check it periodically to ensure it works properly.
"Heating and plumbing companies are probably backed up with calls," McNulty said. "Be proactive; not reactive."
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