Agenda Packets - 2007/08/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Municipal Wells/Water production During an extended power outage, the operation of the City’s municipal wells and treatment facilities is critical to human health and fire protection. During a power outage the City’s water tower provides proper water pressure to the water distribution system. However if the proper water levels in the tower cannot be maintained during an extended power outage, standby power generators will be required at the City’s remote wells (wells 4,5,& 6). Lift Stations During extended power outages, lift station operation is critical to ensure the proper operation of the sanitary sewer system. The City has two lift stations that cannot be shut down if power to both of these faculties is interrupted. City Staff is required to use a trailer-mounted generator to supply the necessary power to the site until it is sufficiently pumped down, at which time City Staff moves to the next lift station to begin pumping operations again. This process is repeated until on-site power is restored. Municipal Garage During extended power outages the municipal garage contains equipment (such as loaders, snowplows and other heavy equipment) and resources that are important during an emergency situation. During a significant weather event in the summer or the winter, power supply to this facility is important to ensure a quick response to emergencies large and small. Staff is currently exploring the feasibility of powering the municipal garage in emergency situations from the existing booster station generator located near the City’s water tower. It may, however, be more cost effective to purchase a small standby generator for permanent installation due to the high cost of running copper wire between the booster station and the municipal garage. Xcel Energy Peak Control The City is currently part of Xcel Energy’s peak control program. This program requires the Ccity to cut all power to its municipal wells during high power demand situations. This program is currently in use and saves the City approximately $20,000 per year. The purchase of a trailer-mounted generator would allow these sites to be utilized during peak control periods. These peak control periods typically occur during hot stretches of weather when water demand is also at its peak. This situation has made it difficult for the City’s water department to maintain tower levels in the past. The purchase of a mobile standby generator would allow utilization of all the City’s wells as well as having the ability to draw water from multiple aquifers should one become contaminated in the future. Community Center Staff also investigated the feasibility of emergency power for the Community Center. As per the recommendation of the emergency operations manager (Chief Sommer) emergency power for the Community Center was not necessary.