MANAGER'S REPORT
04/08/2020
March has been a crazy month. There is a lot to do and the events around the pandemic have increased our work load.
The workload keeps building up even without the pandemic. There are so many items reaching the end of their useful life, along with a goodly amount of deferred maintenance and projects, that things tend to snowball.
Budget Position Report
March revenues were $63,953.70. Expense were $53,550.48. So we took in $10,403.22 more than we spent.
Revenues for the year are $256,802.54. Expenses are $153,043.12. We taken in so far this year $103,759.42.
Treasurer’s Report:
I ran out of time to do the fund transfers. There should have been a transfer of $4,571 from Regular Maintenance to Capital Replacement.
To Date:
Regular Maintenance $179,801.40
Capital Replacement $ 9,141.25
Major Repair Reserve $415,598.00
General Facilities $102,827.91
Total Funds Available $707,368.56
Pandemic
We are weathering this fairly well. In keeping with the Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” order the office is closed to the public.
I had a possible contact and self-isolated for the duration of the incubation period. It really only amounted to two days because I didn’t find out about the contact until several days after the person became symptomatic and I found out on a Friday, but they were critical days and I am running behind as a result.
Charli took a couple of days to ensure a scratchy throat was not COVID-19.
WSDOT at one point was considering shutting down the Highway 12 project, but realized it was replacing critical infrastructure and allowed us to keep working as long as we did our best to exercise good social distancing practices.
New Computer
The little laptop that I use when working away from the office (conferences, training, committee work, weekend clean up work, and now pandemics) has reached the end of it’s service life. It has not been included in the Capital Management Plan.
I will need to be ordering a replacement. It doesn’t need to be a rocket ship or have a lot of applications, since a lot of what I work with is now hosted. So I don’t expect it to be terribly expensive.
On another subject, I also need to upgrade our office computers to Windows 10. The Bias software is written to perform best on that platform. The software that works with the remote read meters is also designed for Windows 10. I don’t have that software on my computer, it just runs on Charil’s.
My office computer mostly works in Linux, which is fine for everything but Bias. I have a “virtual” Windows computer (which means it doesn’t really exist but appears to exist on my office computer) that is necessary to access Bias. Yes, it kind of bends my mind a bit, too.
Isolation Valves
We have deferred finding/replacing/installing isolation valves for too long. Every time we have to isolate a part of the system it is a major fire drill. We often have to isolate more of the system than is really necessary. This really is a public health issue.
I am building isolation valve improvements into the rate study (yes there is some progress being made) so that we can have the funds necessary. I estimate that a new valve/valve set can be installed for around $3,000 in lanes of traffic not including Highway 12. The big expenses are cutting/repairing the pavement and the excavation work. Valves located outside pavement will be considerably less, but there are very few of those.
Costs should be very far below that for valves that are shown on the as-builts but have not been located. Of course, we must allow for the possibility that some valves shown on the as-builts are not there, as we have found some valves that do exist but are not on the as-builts. Over the years we have located quite a few valves that have been paved over.
I am planning on doing one valve/valve set per month.
A “valve set” are the co-joined valves typical of an intersection. Standard industry practice is to have one valve on the branch and a valve on each leg of the main, three valves. We should be able to isolate each length of water main from tee-to-tee or tee-to-end. For long runs with no intersections it is usual practice to install valves equivalent to a city block apart. That is not the current case.
Well #5 Pump
In one of my recent examinations it appeared to me that the line shaft on the Well #5 pump has developed a slight wobble. It may be a trick of the lighting. But I need to get out some measuring devices and see what I can learn. It is a bit tricky because it has to be done with the pump running.
Right at the moment the trick is finding a few minutes to get it done. It will happen this month.
Hydrant Maintenance
As I am sure you have observed, we have fallen behind in hydrant maintenance. We have kept up with flushing and exercising, but other maintenance items have fallen victim to a lack of time. Specifically, painting, coding and numbering have reached criticality.
We have number plates for most of the hydrants, but many have not been installed. Previously, hydrant numbers were painted on, but that paint has fainted. It is important, especially during emergencies, that we, and the fire district, be able to quickly identify fire hydrants. Routine maintenance is also tracked through hydrant numbers.
Paint in good condition makes it easier to find hydrants in a hurry. The cap coding is important so that the fire district knows the capability of each hydrant without having to refer to some kind of paper document.
All that has to be done this Summer. It will be a challenge finding the time.
Rate Study
The rough draft is as you have seen it. I am currently massaging the annual budgets. Once that is done I will have to transfer the budget numbers to the study and see what that looks like.
There will be more budget twisting once I see the results of the above step.
New Regulations
Nothing new this month.
Recurring SCADA Power/Communications Problems
Systems Interface is gathering the equipment and preparing for the install. The hold up now is Comcast. Their engineer has been out and planned the work, but it takes some time to get the pole permits from PUD.
I am quite pleased that Comcast was able to provide the service. I was not relishing having to deal with their competition.
The lines will be run to North Bank and the pump house sometime in July.
Personnel
Awaiting final resolution on the legal issues.
County Delegation
I think all issues have been addressed.
Highway 12 Cast Iron Pipe Replacement
The project is well underway. Directional boring was scheduled to be complete on Tuesday April 7th. The drill rig was finished and off the project on April 3rd. The tie-in to the existing water main was scheduled for Wednesday, April 8th, but was completed on April 3rd.
By being ahead of schedule, I hope we are under budget. Too early for an answer to that one.
The invoice in the claims request covers the cost of the pipe.
I have included a copy of my job costing summary in your packets. Note that my “budget” takes into account all the work that was started back in 2018, not just the construction phase.
The Estimate amount on the Brumfield progress invoice is based on time line. The project schedule allows 30 days for completion and the estimate for time and materials is $265,000. Since the invoice is for the first week, the $66,250 is ¼ of the estimate.
The contract with NWS, Inc. is for $19,735. So far they have cost $13,720. All that is left is observation of the pressure test and producing the as-built drawings. I don’t think that will drink up all of the remaining $6,015.
Maintenance Activity:
Usual daily/weekly/monthly maintenance activity. See attached report.
Contractor Repairs
What a month! During the Highway 12 project, cast iron pipe in that area broke in four places. All four locations had been leaking to a small degree for some time. My thinking is that the vibrations from the drilling operation delivered the coup de gras to that pipe.
In any event, that pipe was in failure mode in at least those four locations.
Unfortunately, we had to make some kind of repairs to those areas in order to keep the residents served by that line in water.
One of the leaks was quite severe and close to the fog line. The result was that the shoulder pavement was lifted about 6 inches. We will be on the hook to repair that. It will be taken care after the water main replacement is finished.
Tank Cleaning
I have not had the opportunity to contact Liquivision. This is on hold until the “Stay-at-Home” order is lifted.
As-Builts
I have not had time to pursue information about the Flo, Inc. program.
Highway 12 Meters
This is fully operational. It will fall off the report.
New Connections
None
Consumer Complaint
The customer has not responded to a letter requesting a determination on service termination.
Shop Organization
The process of inventory has begun. And ground to a halt. This keeps falling victim to higher priority projects.
Training/Certifications
Mick’s WDM2 exam review class has been rescheduled. The good news is that ERWOW could not get the venue in Arlington at the re-schedule date. The class will be in Shelton.
Safety
We have a mini safety meeting every morning.
Vehicles
Service Truck: No issues.
Pickup Truck 1: No Issues
Pickup Truck 2: This truck is passed due for routine maintenance. I will take care of that.
Backhoe: No issues.
Web Site
Monthly Budget Position Reports are now being posted to the web site following the commissioners’ meeting.
Filing System
The word has gone out for a temporary/intern employee. With the college shut down I placed an ad on Facebook. It has a trick question. The applicant is instructed to send a resume to my email address.
There has been quite a bit of response, but only about half of the respondents have emailed a resume.
Fire Station
Our involvement, other than finishing our access road through the fire station property, is over.
The shop site is looking a little rough. We want to be good neighbors and not have an unsightly work area. Once the fire station is complete, or nearly so, I plan to do some basic landscaping.
Payroll System
Working great. This will drop off.
Grant Funding Pursuit
The “Stay-at-Home” order has pretty much shut this effort down for the time being.
Capital Asset Management
Nothing new. I still need to do the narrative portion of the plan.
Disaster Management Planning
We now have a deadline. I sincerely hope to make some progress once the rate study is in better shape.
I am no longer worried. I think we will be able to address this requirement without making it a major effort.
Isolation Valve Exercise Program
On hold due to inadequate as-built information.
Future and/or On-Hold Programs
Email Bills
Online Bill Pay (way down the list. Customers can pay bills online through their bank)
Shop Insulation
On hold until the “Stay-at-Home” order is lifted.
Long Distance Service Laterals
No change.
Respectfully Submitted:
Reg Hearn
General Manager
LEAK REPAIR ON RIDGEVIEW AND BOIL WATER ADVISORY ON 03/18/2020
AFTER ACTION REPORT
Gentlemen:
A leaking service lateral was discovered on Ridgeview. It was determined that the leak was close to the water main.
Brumfield Construction was recruited for assistance with their vac truck, as considerable excavation was necessary to get close to the water main.
Upon daylighting the water main, it was discovered that a galvanized fitting was leaking as a result of galvanic action. The fitting was threaded into the brass corp stop. The galvanic action had completely encrusted the fitting and the corp stop, rendering the corp stop inoperable.
In order to complete the repair the water main on Ridgeview had to be isolated. With few isolation valves in the area, it was necessary to shut down Karjala Road west from Pioneer Road to the end. This shut down affected the following additional streets:
Carl Way
Ridgeview
Hemlock Park
Lois Lane
Lucky Lane
Maple Lane
Horizon Lane
Central Lane
Kamana Lane
A total of 74 residential connections were without water for approximately 2.5 hours. A boil water advisory was issued to all impacted connections.
The damaged components were replaced with brass fittings conforming to current requirements for brass fittings and in accordance with district Standard Details.
At this writing, subject to amendment, disinfection and flushing is being done. Samples for coliform testing will be taken upon completion of the flushing. With our usual disinfection and flushing routine it is anticipated that the samples will return satisfactory. We should have results by late Thursday (03/19) afternoon.
In addition to notifications to the district’s customers, the state Office of Drinking Water was notified (as required by regulations), and the fire district was informed. A notice was recorded on our voice mail system, and customers have been kept informed via our Facebook page, which posts automatically to the web site.
This report will be available publicly on the web site under Manager’s Reports for April.