news and views from wv bureau for public health, wv ... · hydrant fire flow testing jeff bennett,...
TRANSCRIPT
Hydrant Fire Flow Testing Jeff Bennett, WVPSC, Engineering Division
Flow testing of fire hydrants is sometimes necessary to determine the available fire flow at a particular location in the distribution system. The flow test data can be used to evaluate the distribution system capacity, design private fire-sprinkler systems, and to establish fire insurance ratings. Available fire flow is measured in gallons per minute (gpm) at a residual pressure of 20 psi. It should be emphasized that it is not necessary to open the hydrant fully, or even to a 20 psi residual, in order to determine the total available flow. The only require-ment is that the residual pressure drops at least 10 psi below the static pressure. The total available flow can be calculated by knowing the static pressure, residual pressure, and pitot pressure at any rate of flow.
The minimum tools needed include two pressure gauges (preferably liquid filled), a pitot tube, hydrant wrench, and a ruler to measure the hydrant outlet nozzle. One of the pressure gauges should be attached to a drilled and tapped hydrant cap and be capable of reading the expected static and residual pressures. If a pitot tube is not available, a second pressure gauge attached to a drilled and tapped hydrant cap can be used to measure the barrel pressure. The pitot pressure gauge (or second drilled cap gauge) should read in 1 psi increments and should be capable of reading low pressures, normally from 0 to 30 psi.
The hydrant that is being flow tested is referred to as the “flow hydrant.” The residual pressure is measured from another hydrant called the “pressure hydrant” located upstream, or from an upstream meter connection on the feed line, while the flow test is being conducted. Two people with some form of communication between the hydrants are needed while con-ducting the test.
After you have identified the flow hydrant and the pressure hydrant (or tap), flush them briefly to remove any sediment. Attach the pressure gauge to the pressure hydrant (or tap) and record the static pressure. Next, measure and record the inside diameter of the outlet nozzle on the flow hydrant to the nearest 1/16 of an inch. Determine the outlet nozzle’s co-efficient according the diagram below. The coefficient depends on the geometry of the inside of the hydrant opening and can be determined by feeling the inside of the hydrant nozzle.
If a pitot tube is not available, attach the second drilled cap gauge to the flow hydrant’s
other nozzle. Open the flow hydrant slowly until the person at the pressure hydrant (or tap) signals that the residual pressure is at least 10 psi below the static pressure. Insert the pitot gauge into the center of the flow stream approximately ½ of the diameter away from the noz-zle and record the pitot pressure or the barrel pressure from the cap gauge if a pitot gauge is not available.
The Pipeline Published Bi-Monthly by the Public Ser-vice Commission, 201 Brooks Street, P.O. Box 812
Charleston, WV 25323 Web Address: http://www.psc.state.wv.us.
Email: [email protected] Telephone: (304)340-0300, Toll Free: (800)344-5113, Fax: (304)340-3759
Contributors
The information contained in this publi-cation is based on the current laws, rules,
regulations, and policies of the PSC, DEP and DHHR and reflects the per-sonal or professional opinions of the
individual authors. Nothing contained in the publication should be construed as an
adjudication on any specific factual situation or as a formal opinion of the
PSC, DEP, or DHHR unless it is clearly cited as such.
DEP Storm Water Con- Page 2
Rights and Responsibili-ties of Residential
Page 3
Customer Bill of Rights Brochure
Page 4-5
Record Retention Page 6-7
Fleet Safety Page 8
Eastern Wyoming PSDI Receives An Award
Page 9
Groundwater Flow Model Loan Program
Page 10
Dealing With Complaints Page 11-12
Staff List Page 13
Employee Corner Page 14
Inside this issue:
News and Views From WV Bureau for Pub lic Health, WV Depar tment o f Environmenta l Pro tect ion, and the Pub li c Service Commission o f WV
Continued on Page 12
March -April 2007
2
DEP Storm Water Construction General Permits
For every construction project that disturbs one acre or greater, a Storm Water Construction General Permit is required. This article is going to address the lack of compliance with the terms and conditions of this permit and potential consequences to the Owner and their pro-ject.
What could possibly happen if you, your contractor, or your engineer fails to follow the terms and conditions of your permit? One wastewater system Owner can an-swer that question now. In September 2006, the Owner was issued an Order from the DEP to cease and desist construction activity within 25 feet of any stream until compliance with their Order was achieved. The DEP found that sediment and erosion control measures were not installed or used by the permittee to achieve compli-ance with its permit, the Owner had failed to follow the specified terms and conditions of its Storm Water Pollu-tion Prevention Plan (SWPPP) which was submitted and made part of its permit, and that distinctly visible settle-able solids and soil deposits were observed on the bot-tom of the stream. The Owner was then required to sub-mit a proposed corrective action plan and schedule to achieve compliance with the terms and conditions of its permit and upon approval of the plan had to achieve compliance within 15 days. The Owner did not receive permission to go back to work within 25 feet of any streams until November 29, 2006; two months of delay. During this time the contractor had to work on other
By: Katheryn Emery, P. E., WVDEP
areas of the project. There are several points in the preceding paragraph
for every owner to take note. 1) The contractor was do-ing the work, the engineer was doing the inspection, but it’s the Owner’s permit and as such, the Owner will be the recipient of the Order. 2) The SWPPP, submitted either by the Owner or by the engineer on behalf of the Owner, was not enforced. The Owner must read and understand the terms of the storm water permit and any subsequent plans that are incorporated as part of the per-mit. 3) While means and methods cannot be dictated to the contractor, the permit is incorporated in the plans and specifications and can and should be enforced by the engineer as they would enforce concrete strength, pipe material or any other specification.
All of this could have been avoided if the permit conditions had been enforced at the beginning of the job. What resulted from trying to circumvent or ignore these requirements were construction delays that trans-late into additional costs and these requirements still had to be met.
Owners need to take a more proactive role to make sure their engineers and contractors are following the terms and conditions of their permits. Engineers need to make sure their inspectors are enforcing the terms and conditions of the permits as well as all other construc-tion specifications to protect their clients from these po-tential consequences.
Happy Easter
3
Rights and Responsibilities Of A Residential Water Utility Customer
An important part of a utility’s daily operations is customer service. The front-line employees of every utility are asked everyday to provide customers with answers to questions and concerns regarding the cus-tomer’s rights and responsibilities with water service.
Included in this issue of The Pipeline is a brochure explaining the Rights and Responsibilities of a Residen-tial Water Utility Customer. The PSC Staff has com-piled some of the most often asked questions and an-swers, disconnection, deposit, definitions and other commonly requested information into a quick and easy reference pamphlet. The brochure is designed for each utility to include its own name on the front cover and also the utility contact information on the back. The contact information may include the utility name, ad-dress, business office hours, phone number and the after hours emergency phone number. If you would like the pamphlet in “Word” so you can design it for your spe-cific purposes, please call or email me
([email protected]). Utilities can use the enclosed leaflet - add the neces-
sary contact information, utility name to the front cover, photocopy, fold and distribute to customers. The pam-phlet is intended to be double-sided on 8.5 x 11 inch paper in a three panel, two-fold design. With the paper facing you so that you can read the “What is on your billing statement?” and “Deferred Payment for Overdue Bill,” fold the right side panel in at the right column gut-ter and crease, then fold the left side panel in at the left column gutter and crease. The leaflet should be folded twice to form a neat six-page pamphlet.
The purpose of the brochure is to educate customers in a simple and brief manner. Education of your con-sumers is an important part of customer service and goes a long way in creating positive customer relations.
By: Sharra Huffman, Consumer Affairs Technician, PSC Water and Wastewater Division
See Brochure Pages 4 and 5
Funding support to community water systems for Wellhead Protection (WHP) projects will be continuing in 2007 by the Bureau for Public Health, Office of Envi-ronmental Health Services (OEHS). During the inaugu-ral year of the program, four community water supply WHP projects were selected totalling over $50,000. The 2008 WHP grant application package will be available in the spring of 2007 with applications due by mid sum-mer.
Please consider the following criteria: A WHP project must address one or more of the
following topics – new or revised WHP delineation, new or revised potential contaminant sources assess-ment, security issues around the well field, or imple-mentation components of a WHP program.
Funding Opportunities for Wellhead Protection Programs
Assessment projects should indicate a clear path toward implementation of a WHP program.
Funds cannot be awarded for work already com-pleted.
WHP Grants are for a project period of one (1) year for up to $15,000.
Grantees can reapply and be awarded future grants after three (3) years.
If you have questions on this program, you may call Scott Rodeheaver at 304-558-6713 for more informa-tion. West Virginia Rural Water Association, assisted by OEHS staff, is planning to conduct workshops at vari-ous locations across West Virginia to assist potential applicants with questions and completion of the applica-tion package.
By: Scott Rodeheaver, Assistant Program Manager, Source Water Assessment and Protection
4
New
s an
d V
iew
s F
rom
WV
B
ure
au f
or P
ub
lic
Hea
lth
, W
V D
epar
tmen
t of
E
nvir
onm
enta
l P
rote
ctio
n,
and
th
e P
ub
lic
Ser
vice
C
omm
issi
on o
f W
V
You
r ser
vice
can
not b
e di
scon
nect
ed:
For n
on-p
aym
ent o
f cha
rges
for s
ervi
ces
not r
elat
ed to
wat
er, s
ewer
and
/or s
torm
w
ater
serv
ice,
if a
pplic
able
. Y
our s
ervi
ce c
an b
e di
scon
nect
ed if
: 1.
Y
ou fa
il to
pay
you
r bill
s, in
clud
ing
delin
quen
t bill
s fro
m a
pre
viou
s add
ress
. 2.
Y
ou fa
il to
pay
you
r def
erre
d pa
y-m
ent a
gree
men
t on
time.
3.
Y
ou fa
il to
pay
requ
ired
depo
sits
. 4.
Y
ou ta
mpe
r with
the
met
er.
5.
Ther
e is
a sa
fety
haz
ard.
6.
Y
ou re
fuse
or f
ail t
o al
low
the
utili
ty
to o
btai
n a
met
er re
adin
g.
7.
Vio
latio
n of
Rul
es.
Rig
hts
and
Res
pons
ibili
ties
of a
Res
iden
tial
Wat
er U
tilit
y
Cus
tom
er
(Util
ity N
ame
Her
e)
Util
ity C
onta
ct I
nfor
mat
ion:
Custo
mer
Bill o
f
Right
s Fo
r M
ore
Info
rmat
ion
Serv
ice
Dis
conn
ecti
ons (continued):
FIR
ST, c
onta
ct y
our u
tility
to tr
y an
d re
-so
lve
the
prob
lem
. If
the
utili
ty c
anno
t re-
solv
e yo
ur p
robl
em, y
ou m
ay c
onta
ct U
tility
C
ompl
aint
s at t
he P
SC a
t 1-8
00-6
42-8
544.
W
hile
a C
onsu
mer
Affa
irs T
echn
icia
n re
-vi
ews y
our d
ispu
te, y
our s
ervi
ce sh
ould
not
be
dis
conn
ecte
d. H
owev
er, y
ou m
ust s
till
prom
ptly
pay
any
cha
rges
not
in d
ispu
te.
The
Con
sum
er A
ffai
rs T
echn
icia
n w
ill c
on-
tact
you
and
the
utili
ty to
dis
cuss
the
reso
lu-
tion
in a
n in
form
al m
anne
r. M
ost o
f the
re
ques
ts fo
r ass
ista
nce
the
PSC
rece
ives
are
re
solv
ed in
an
info
rmal
man
ner.
How
ever
, if
thes
e ef
forts
are
not
satis
fact
ory,
the
staf
f can
pr
ovid
e yo
u w
ith in
form
atio
n on
how
to o
b-ta
in fu
rther
revi
ew o
f you
r PSC
com
plai
nt.
Hav
e a
Dis
pute
?
The
Publ
ic S
ervi
ce C
omm
issi
on o
f Wes
t V
irgi
nia
(P
SC
) pre
pare
d th
is b
roch
ure
to
let
you
kn
ow
you
r ri
ghts
an
d re
spon
sibi
litie
s as
a w
ater
cu
stom
er in
th
e S
tate
of
Wes
t V
irgi
nia
. It
in
clu
des
answ
ers
to y
our
mos
t co
mm
on
ques
tion
s an
d co
nce
rns.
If y
ou h
ave
a qu
esti
on
or a
pro
blem
wit
h y
our
serv
ice,
first
con
tact
you
r u
tilit
y. I
f you
r u
tilit
y ca
nn
ot r
esol
ve t
he
prob
lem
, ca
ll th
e PS
C.
5
All
wat
er u
tility
bill
s mus
t inc
lude
: 1.
C
urre
nt m
eter
read
ing
and
date
. 2.
Pr
evio
us m
eter
read
ing
and
date
. 3.
N
umbe
r of c
ubic
feet
or g
allo
ns c
onsu
med
. 4.
Es
timat
ed b
ills s
hall
be d
istin
ctly
mar
ked
as su
ch.
5.
Bill
s are
due
upo
n re
ceip
t. T
he st
atem
ent
shou
ld
lis
t lat
est p
ay d
ate
and
the
delin
quen
t da
te.
6.
Cle
ar it
emiz
atio
n of
the
amou
nt o
f the
bill
fo
r the
cur
rent
bill
ing
perio
d, a
ny u
npai
d ba
l-an
ce a
nd a
ny la
te p
enal
ty fe
es.
7.
Cle
ar it
emiz
atio
n of
oth
er u
tility
cha
rges
an
d cr
edits
. 8.
A
stat
emen
t tha
t: R
ates
are
ava
ilabl
e up
on
requ
est.
9.
If th
e ra
te sc
hedu
le is
not
incl
uded
with
th
e bi
ll, th
e ut
ility
mus
t pro
vide
a c
opy
of th
e ra
te sc
hedu
le to
cus
tom
er u
pon
requ
est a
nd
whe
neve
r a ra
te c
hang
e be
com
es e
ffec
tive.
Wha
t is
on
your
bill
ing
stat
emen
t?
Bill
due
date
- Th
e da
te w
hen
the
utili
ty m
ails
the
bill.
La
test
pay
dat
e - T
he la
st d
ate,
whi
ch sh
all b
e no
so
oner
that
the
20th d
ay fo
llow
ing
the
bill
due
date
, th
at th
e bi
ll m
ay b
e pa
id w
ithou
t inc
urrin
g a
late
pa
ymen
t pen
alty
.
Del
inqu
ent b
ill -
Any
bill
issu
ed b
y a
Publ
ic S
er-
vice
Dis
trict
(PSD
) or m
unic
ipal
ity th
at h
as n
ot
been
pai
d w
ithin
20
days
of t
he b
ill d
ue d
ate;
or a
ny b
ill is
-su
ed b
y a
wat
er u
tility
that
is n
ot a
PSD
or m
unic
i-pa
lity
with
in 3
0 da
ys o
f the
bill
due
dat
e.
Rem
inde
r: T
he d
ue d
ate
perta
ins t
o cu
rren
t ch
arge
s onl
y . A
ny p
ast d
ue b
alan
ce sh
ould
be
paid
im
med
iate
ly to
pre
vent
term
inat
ion
of se
rvic
e.
Def
init
ions
Exp
lana
tion
of M
eter
Rea
ding
s - T
he u
tility
will
in-
form
cus
tom
ers e
ither
by
prin
ted
desc
riptio
n or
by
ex-
plan
atio
n at
the
utili
ty o
ffice
the
met
hod
of re
adin
g m
eter
s. Ex
plan
atio
n of
Rat
es -
The
utili
ty sh
all e
xpla
in to
the
cust
omer
the
utili
ty’s
rate
s app
licab
le to
the
type
of
serv
ice
furn
ishe
d to
the
cust
omer
and
all
othe
r cla
sses
of
cus
tom
ers.
Post
ing
of, R
ates
& P
olic
y, L
aw, R
ules
and
Col
lect
ion
Agen
ts -
The
utili
ty sh
all m
aint
ain
in it
s offi
ce fo
r in-
spec
tion
by th
e pu
blic
, the
follo
win
g:
1.
App
rove
d ta
riff r
ates
. 2.
R
ules
& P
olic
ies o
f Util
ity.
3.
A c
opy
of th
e PS
C L
aw o
f Wes
t Virg
inia
. A
cop
y of
the
PSC
Wat
er R
ules
and
Reg
ulat
ions
. O
nce
a ye
ar, o
r as
ofte
n as
util
ity c
hang
es c
olle
ctio
n ag
ents
, eac
h ut
ility
shal
l pub
liciz
e by
new
spap
er o
r bill
in
sert
to it
s cus
tom
ers t
he c
olle
ctio
n ag
ents
to w
hom
cu
stom
ers m
ay d
eliv
er p
aym
ent o
f wat
er b
ills.
Cus
tom
er In
form
atio
n:
A u
tility
can
add
a la
te p
aym
ent p
enal
ty if
you
r bill
ha
s not
bee
n re
ceiv
ed b
y th
e ut
ility
by
the
late
st p
ay
date
prin
ted
on y
our b
ill.
On
all c
urre
nt u
sage
bill
-in
gs n
ot p
aid
by th
e la
test
pay
dat
e, 1
0% w
ill b
e ad
ded
to th
e ne
t cur
rent
am
ount
unp
aid.
Thi
s de-
laye
d pa
ymen
t pen
alty
is n
ot in
tere
st a
nd is
to b
e co
llect
ed o
nly
once
for e
ach
bill
whe
re it
is a
ppro
pri-
ate.
Late
Pay
men
t P
enal
ty:
A d
epos
it m
ay b
e re
quire
d w
hen
appl
ying
for n
ew
serv
ice.
A d
epos
it m
ay a
lso
be re
quire
d if
a de
posi
t is
not
on
file
- to
rest
ore
wat
er se
rvic
e af
ter s
uch
serv
ice
has b
een
disc
onne
cted
for n
on-p
aym
ent.
Dep
osit
Req
uire
men
ts
A c
usto
mer
shal
l be
give
n th
e op
portu
nity
to e
nter
into
a
defe
rred
pay
men
t agr
eem
ent -
pro
vide
d th
at th
e cu
s-to
mer
has
dem
onst
rate
d an
abi
lity
to p
ay b
ut o
nly
in
inst
allm
ents
. Th
e de
tails
of t
he d
efer
red
paym
ent
agre
emen
t are
to b
e ne
gotia
ted
betw
een
the
utili
ty a
nd
the
cust
omer
. Se
vera
l fac
tors
are
con
side
red,
incl
udin
g bu
t not
lim
ited
to:
amou
nt o
f del
inqu
ency
; abi
lity
of
the
cust
omer
to p
ay; p
aym
ent h
isto
ry; t
ime
the
delin
-qu
ency
has
bee
n ou
tsta
ndin
g; re
ason
s why
the
delin
-qu
ency
has
bee
n ou
tsta
ndin
g; a
nd a
ny o
ther
rele
vant
fa
ctor
s. O
nce
a de
ferr
ed p
aym
ent a
gree
men
t has
bee
n es
tabl
ishe
d, th
e cu
stom
er m
ust p
ay th
e cu
rren
t bill
on
time
and
in fu
ll an
d m
ake
timel
y pa
ymen
ts in
acc
or-
danc
e w
ith th
e de
ferr
ed p
aym
ent a
gree
men
t.
Def
erre
d P
aym
ent
for
Ove
rdue
Bill
A u
tility
mus
t mai
l a w
ritte
n no
tice
of te
rmin
atio
n be
fore
yo
ur se
rvic
e ca
n be
dis
conn
ecte
d. T
his n
otic
e m
ust i
n-cl
ude:
1.
Dat
e w
hen
serv
ice
can
be d
isco
nnec
ted.
2.
Rea
son
for t
he d
isco
nnec
tion.
3.
Rig
ht to
cha
lleng
e th
e te
rmin
atio
n.
4
. In
stru
ctio
ns fo
r con
tact
ing
the
appr
opria
te u
tility
pe
rson
nel b
y te
leph
one
and
mai
l, in
clud
ing
busi
ness
hou
rs.
5
. In
stru
ctio
ns fo
r con
tact
ing
the
PSC
, if y
ou a
re n
ot
sa
tisfie
d w
ith th
e ch
alle
nge
to th
e ut
ility
. Th
e no
tice
mus
t be
mai
led
to y
our m
ailin
g ad
dres
s at
leas
t 10
days
prio
r to
disc
onne
ctio
n da
te.
If se
rvic
e is
no
t dis
conn
ecte
d w
ithin
30
days
, the
util
ity m
ust m
ake
a w
ritte
n te
rmin
atio
n no
tice
agai
n.
A u
tility
may
dis
conn
ect u
tility
serv
ice
with
out n
otic
e w
here
a d
ange
rous
con
ditio
n ex
ists
for a
s lon
g as
it e
x-is
ts o
r whe
re th
ere
has b
een
tam
perin
g w
ith u
tility
’s
equi
pmen
t or f
acili
ties.
Serv
ice
Dis
conn
ecti
ons:
6
I have had a lot of questions from utilities as to what records they need to keep and how long they need to keep them. With the beginning of a new fiscal year upon us I thought this is would be a good time to dis-cuss the retention of records.
As stated in the West Virginia Legislative Rule, Public Service Commission, Chapter 24-1, Series III, Rules and Regulations for the Government of Electric Utilities: 2.01 RECORDS AND REPORTS
Preservation of Records – All records required by these rules shall be preserved by the utility in accor-dance with the “Regulations to Govern the Preservation of Records of Electric, Gas and Water Utilities” as pre-scribed by the National Association of Regulatory Util-ity Commissioners (NARUC) dated May, 1985, and adopted by the Commission by General Order No. 184.6 of March 31, 1987, and effective May 29, 1987, except, as they may be hereinafter modified by the Commission
RECORD RETENTION By: Susan L. Brown, Utility Analyst II, PSC Water and Wastewater Division
…No such record shall be destroyed earlier than as provided by these rules without Commission ap-proval.
The “Regulations to Govern the Preservation of Records of Electric, Gas and Water Utilities,” from NARUC states:
“When any records are destroyed before the expi-ration of the prescribed period of retention, a certified statement listing, as far as may be determined, the records destroyed and describing the circumstances of accidental or other premature destruction shall be filed with the Commission within ninety (90) days from the date of discovery of such destruction. Dis-covery of loss of records is to be treated in the same manner as in the case of premature destruction.”
The following information provided is condensed from the “Regulations to Govern the Preservation of Records of Electric, Gas and Water Utilities” as pre-scribed by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
CORPORATE AND GENERAL Paid or canceled debt securities 3 years after payment Organizational documents 50 years Deeds and other title papers 6 years after disposition Licenses 25 years after plant is retired Copies of formal orders of regulatory commissions Life of utility Permits 6 months after expiration Service contracts 6 years after expiration Leases 3 years Labor contracts 3 years Audit reports 7 years after date of report
GENERAL ACCOUNTING RECORDS General ledgers 50 years Trial balance sheets of general and subsidiary ledgers 50 years General and subsidiary journals 50 years Cash books: general and subsidiary 10 years after close of fiscal year Voucher 6 years Invoices 6 years Accounts receivable register 3 years after settlement Records of securities 3 years after disposal Payroll records: Payroll sheets or registers 3 years Time sheets 3 years Employees’ earnings record 3 years after termination
Continued on Page 7
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INSURANCE Insurance policies 3 years after expiration Records of claims collected 6 years Injuries and damages 3 years after settlement
PERSONNEL Employees’ service records 3 years after termination Applications for employment Destroy at option Employees’ benefit & pension records 3 years after termination of plan
PURCHASES AND STORES Records of sales of scrap 3 years Inventories of materials and supplies 3 years
REVENUE ACCOUNTING AND COLLECTING Customers’ service applications 3 years, if executed Customers’ deposit ledgers or card records 3 years after termination Meter reading sheets and records 2 years or as may be necessary Summaries of monthly operating revenues 6 years Customers’ ledgers 3 years or as may be necessary\ Trial balances of ledgers 3 years Records relating to forfeited discounts 3 years Collection reports and records 3 years Customers; account adjustments 3 years Uncollectible accounts 3 years
TREASURY Bank Statements Destroy at option after completion of annual audit
by independent accountants Check stubs, registers, or other records 6 years
MISCELLANEOUS Annual financial, operating and statistical reports 10 years after date of report Budgets 3 years Reports to federal and state regulatory commissions Life of corporation Service interruptions 6 years
Furthermore, as stated in the Water Rules (2.1.2), “Location of records – Such records shall be kept in the office or offices of the utility, and shall be open at all reasonable hours for examination by the Commission or its represen-tative, or by others authorized by the Commission.”
RECORD RETENTION . . . Continued From Page 6
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Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of work-related injuries. Crashes on and off the job have far-reaching financial and psychological effects on employ-ees, their coworkers and families, and their employers. The real tragedy is that these crashes are largely pre-ventable. In response to this, the Board of Risk and In-surance Management has developed vehicle/driver safety initiatives, set forth in the Standards of Participa-tion program, for employers to reduce motor vehicle crashes. In addition to implementing a comprehensive fleet management program, it is recommended that all employees who operate a vehicle (whether private or entity-owned) for work-related duties are provided train-ing on safe vehicle operations on an annual basis.
A comprehensive fleet management program should be implemented to:
A. Save lives and to reduce the risk of life- altering injuries within your workforce.
B. Protect your organization’s human and financial resources.
C. Guard against potential company and personal liabilities associated with crashes in-volving employees driving on company busi-ness.
A comprehensive fleet management program will help to keep the driver and those with whom he/she shares the road safe. Additionally, the program can change driver attitudes, improve behavior, and increase skills to build a “be safe” culture. By instructing em-ployees in basic safe driving practices and then reward-ing safety-conscious behavior, you can help employees and their families avoid tragedy.
An effective program requires the full cooperation of each driver to operate his/her vehicle in the safest possible manner and to comply fully with their responsi-bilities as outlined in a Fleet Safety Program.
A comprehensive fleet management program should include detailed procedures for:
Fleet Safety Submitted by: Jill Farrar, Safety/Loss Control Specialist, WV BRIM
A. Assigning responsibilities at all levels of employment
B. Vehicle usage C. Employee driver’s license checks D. Accident reporting and investigation E. Accident Review Committee F. Vehicle selection and maintenance G. Training standards H. Car phone safety I. Fleet safety rules
Driver Recognition Program A comprehensive fleet management program pro-
vides guidelines for what an employer can do to im-prove traffic safety performance and minimize the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Employers have enormous power to protect their businesses by educating their em-ployees about safe driving practices. Following these guidelines helps to ensure that you hire capable drivers, only allow eligible drivers to drive on company busi-ness, train them, supervise them, and maintain company vehicles properly. Adhering to the guidelines set forth in a comprehensive fleet safety program can also help to keep your motor vehicle insurance costs as low as possi-ble. A comprehensive fleet management program can be found in the sample Loss Control Manual, developed by the Board of Risk and Insurance Management, at http://www.state.wv.us/brim/Loss/losscntl.htm. References:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Occupational Safety and Health Administration www.osha.gov
Board of Risk and Insurance Management Sample Loss Control Manual http://www.state.wv.us/brim/Loss/losscntl.htm
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The Eastern Wyoming Public Service District (EWPSD), in the eastern portion of Wyoming County, West Virginia, will receive the 2006 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region, for its sustainable public health protection efforts. The award will be presented during the April 4, 2007, WV Infrastructure and Jobs Devel-opment Council (IJDC) meeting. The IJDC was instrumental in securing and coordinating project funding.
The 2006 DWSRF Awards for Sustainable Public Health Protection recognize DWSRF borrowers demonstrat-ing leadership and innovation in financing, innovative project implementation, creative use of partnerships, or promotion of sustainable infrastructure. States manage the DWSRF pro-gram and select projects to receive funding. In West Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Resources manages the DWSRF program. Each state DWSRF program selects one DWSRF borrower for the Sustainable Public Health Protec-tion Award.
Formerly separate, independent eastern Wyoming County, West Virginia water systems had severe microbi-ological contamination, serious water quantity problems and were old, poorly operated and maintained. Using more than $14.5 million in federal and state grants and loans, EWPSD has almost completed a regionalization/consolidation project. The project includes a new regional water treatment plant sized to meet current and future needs, three new water stor-age tanks, and a new distribution system (over 100,000 linear feet of water lines), providing a safe and dependable potable water supply to more than 3,800 local residents. Grants and loans include a 30-year, $3.5 million DWSRF loan.
EWPSD water systems continue making anticipated pro-gress since the District was formed (consolidating several failing water systems in 2000) and the capacity development assessment was conducted (June 2001). The District contin-ues implementing assessment recommendations and maintain-ing improved managerial and financial capability. The Phase I technical capability improvements (regional water system eliminating existing obsolete water systems) are nearly com-plete.
The previously unmanaged, unsupervised small water systems now forming the EWPSD continue to be well man-aged by the Logan County PSD (under contract with EWPSD). These (formerly financially failing) EWPSD sys-tems have implemented appropriate rates since PSD forma-tion and are now financially sound. Final EWPSD rates will become effective upon regional water system consolidation project completion.
Eastern Wyoming PSD Receives An Award By Richard Watson and Ghassan Khaled
The projects correcting EWPSD's serious technical capa-bility deficiencies continue making progress. Below is the current status of the projects. Phase I:
Replacement of all the water lines in downtown Mullens has been completed.
The regional water treatment plant was completed and began operation January 22, 2007.
Water system consolidation (Welton Water, Wyco Water PSD, Buckeye Water - Iroquois, Buckeye Water - Stephen-son, Corinne Water, Mullens Water - Mullens, and Mullens Water - Nuriva) has been completed. Water line extension, meter installation, and system interconnection work is more than 95% complete. Approximately 70 customers must still be connected to the regional system. Anticipated connection completion is May, 2007. Phase II:
The Mullens Water – Itman water line extension has been designed. Most project funding is included in the FY2008 Abandoned Mined Lands (AML) grant. Additional project funding is being pursued. The project is still scheduled for bid and construction in 2008. Phases III and IV:
Extending water lines to Brookside - Otsego and Pier-point Water systems.
Extending water lines to Herndon Heights Community Water, Alpoca Water Works, Covel Water, Garwood Com-munity Water, and Herndon Community water systems.
These phases are not yet funded or designed and no pro-jected completion dates are set. The AML program is cur-rently determining if these projects are AML eligible.
For more information on the EWPSD or capacity devel-opment assistance for your water system, please contact the authors of this article.
Ghassan Khaled, Capacity Development/Small Systems Coordinator, Environmental Engineer, U.S. EPA - Region III - Drinking Water Branch (3WP21), 1650 Arch Street - Phila-delphia, PA 19103-2029, Telephone: 215-814-5780 - Fax: 215-814-2318, E-mail: [email protected]
Richard L. Watson, Capacity Development Coordinator Environmental Engineering Division, Capitol and Washing-ton Streets - 1 Davis Square, Suite 200, Charleston, WV 25301-1798, Telephone: 304-558-6747 - Fax: 304-558-0691, E-mail: [email protected]
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Groundwater is an important source of drinking wa-ter in West Virginia. Groundwater is a valuable re-source vulnerable to contamination from local land use activities. Because these contaminants can cause detri-mental health effects, it is important for the public to be aware of how to protect their groundwater supply. West Virginia teachers are in a unique position to empower their students (and potentially students’ parents) with knowledge of groundwater protection.
In an effort to support these teachers, the Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Program, a section of the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health (BPH), has devel-oped a program to loan groundwater flow models to teachers statewide. By teaming with the WV Depart-ment of Environmental Protection’s Project WET pro-gram, the BPH has identified a number of teachers who are already aware of the importance of groundwater pro-tection. The BPH has extended to these teachers the opportunity to borrow a groundwater flow model.
A groundwater flow model has been likened to an ant farm in appearance. But instead of watching ants, students will be able to “see” water underground. The BPH considers these models valuable teaching tools, because they can be used to illustrate:
The potential to contaminate drinking water from relatively common activities, through point and non-point sources.
The effects of a pump on groundwater. Pumps are used in many public water systems to bring groundwater to the surface for use.
How quickly contaminants can enter a groundwater source via karst geology, common in eastern portions of
Groundwater Flow Model Loan Program
West Virginia. Models will be loaned to teachers who demonstrate
the best plans for raising groundwater protection aware-ness to the maximum students and parents through classroom and take home activities. Along with the model, teachers will receive materials and training re-lated to groundwater concepts and use of the groundwa-ter model.
The BPH program goal is to distribute groundwater
flow models throughout the state. Because of the social implication of groundwater protection, teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Questions concerning the loan program can be di-rected to Mindy S. Ramsey, Environmental Resource Specialist, Source Water Assessment and Protection Program, by phone 304-558-6759 or by email:[email protected]
By Mindy Ramsey, Environmental Resource Specialist II, Source Water Assessment and Protection Program , WVDHHR
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Depending on the size of your utility, you probably get an angry customer on a regular basis. Your office personnel should be prepared to deal with almost any situation, but are they prepared?
Office personnel should give each customer their undivided attention. Give the customer a chance to tell their side of the story and get the facts from all sides. If the meter reader or another employee needs to be con-tacted to get their side of the story, talk to them before forming an opinion or responding. There are times when the board should be involved to determine how a situation should be handled. Always look at the com-plaint and see whether a written policy is appropriate. This could save time and confusion in the future.
In researching my article I ran into a web site from Public Relations for Dummies. (http://cda.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dummies Arti-cle/id-908.html) The following is a list of important rules to follow when dealing with a customer. ♦Always tell the truth. ♦Be as forthright as you can. Do not be misleading or dishonest. ♦Be prepared. Don’t wait until a problem hits and then ask, “What do we do?” ♦Show that you care. Demonstrate compassion. ♦Move quickly and get the problem resolved as soon as possible. ♦Return all calls and don’t avoid the customer. ♦Admit if you made a mistake, apologize, explain how you’re going to fix it, and then do what you promised.
The following is an excerpt from Online Customer Service for Dummies http://www.summitcircuit.com/archive/et-0501.html: ♦Make it easy for customers to complain. ♦View complaints as gifts. ♦Thank the customer. (?) ♦Let the customer vent. (!) ♦Sincerely apologize:
1. Even if you are not the person who made the mistake.
2. Even if the customer is in the wrong by saying something like “I’m sorry you are having a problem.”
3. Don’t use your apology as a preemptive strike by making it the first think you say to an upset
Dealing With Complaints By: Susan Brown, Utility Analyst I, PSC Water and Wastewater Division
customer. Give them time to provide the neces-sary details so you can make the apology more personal and specific to their circumstances
♦ Identify the elements of the complaint. ♦ Fix the problem. ♦ Follow up. ♦ Practice prevention. I also found the web site of The Holland Sentinel
Online which had an article titled “Well-trained Staff Helps Head off Customer Complaints” by Ken Vander Meeden (http://www.hollandsentinal.com/cgi-bin/printme.pl). Although he is writing more for a pri-vate business I feel he makes some good points that can be beneficial to water or sewer utilities.
♦ Train your people to treat every customer as an individual. This can be tough on a busy day but stress the importance of being courteous, greet-ing customers with a smile and respecting their opinions
When your customers are unhappy, train your front-line people to handle the issue. Try to see the problem as if it were your own. Acknowledge the customer’s distress and apologize. Respond quickly and insist that your people follow through on their promises. If possi-ble, empower your people to make routine decisions without waiting for “the manager.” (Remember that bill adjustments should always have proper approval.)
There are more complaints after termination notices are mailed than any other time of the month. Manage-ment should be aware of the added responsibilities and pressures staff faces and should do everything possible to ensure staff isn’t overwhelmed by the increased com-plaints. Management may want to hire a part-time worker to help in the office during this period.
Management should also consider how the office is organized. The more efficient the office is set up, the better for everyone. It is inefficient if the office clerk must leave the office to get important information such as work orders. It is also important that the office is designed so customers can’t just walk in and start com-plaining directly to the clerk who may be busy working on another important matter. While the customer needs to be acknowledged as soon as possible it is also impor-tant that the clerk have an opportunity to set aside what-ever is at hand before taking on another task such as a customer complaint.
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Dealing With Complaints. . . Continued from Page 11 In our experience, most disputes arise out of misun-
derstandings; repeat-complainers who will “harp” every month about various items; will arise in situations where the office staff is totally inundated by the telephone calls and by customers demanding attention in addition to the regular office tasks. It is important that during those times, someone can take the complaint and respond or promise that someone will call back with an answer the next day. It is important for members of the utility board to recognize this and take steps accordingly.
I would like to remind everyone of the Water and Sewer Rules 4.5 dealing with complaints.
4.5.a Each utility shall make a full and prompt in-vestigation of all complaints made to it by its customers,
Now that you have the static pressure and residual pressure from the pressure hydrant and the pitot pressure (or barrel pres-sure) and outlet diameter from the flow hydrant nozzle, we can determine the flow the hard way or the easy way. The easy way is to use already prepared flow tables or computer software programs. I found excellent free software called Igneus Flow Test 1.04 and downloaded it at: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Science-CAD/Igneus-Flow-Test.shtml This shareware software not only provides the calculations but also prepares a report and graphs the flow at various pressures. Flow tables are available in AWWA Manual M-17.
If you want to do it the hard way and perform the calculations yourself, some basic algebraic skills are necessary. The "Q" formula and Hazen-Williams formula are used to determine single outlet hydrant flow. The Q formula produces the actual vol-ume of water in GPM that we are getting from the flow hydrant. The Hazen-Williams formula takes this information and calcu-lates what the hydrant would flow if all outlets were being used simultaneously without having to actually open all outlets and max-flow the hydrant.
Q FORMULA The Q formula produces a value in GPM based on the nozzle diameter (in inches) and pitot pressure (solving for "Q".) Where Q=observed flow (in GPM), c=coefficient (based on geometry of the nozzle opening, see illustration above),
d=nozzle outlet diameter (inches), p=pitot pressure.
HAZEN-WILLIAMS FORMULA This formula calculates available flow at 20 psi, or any desired residual pressure, based on the readings taken before and
during the single outlet flow test (solving for "QR".)
Where QF=observed flow (GPM), hr is the drop in pressure from the static pressure to the desired residual baseline (usually
20 psi) and hf is the drop in psi from static pressure to the actual residual pressure that was measured during the test. Please note that we are calculating to the .54 power (a fractional number.)
Precautions should be taken to minimize property damage. If the distribution system is strong and the pressure drop is less than 10 psi, an additional hydrant(s) would have to be flow tested at the same time to obtain accurate results. Additional infor-mation can be obtained from AWWA manual M-17, Installation, Field Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Hydrants and from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 291: Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hy-drants.
either directly or through the Commission. In the event that the complaint is not adjusted, the utility shall notify the customer that he may file an informal or formal complaint with the Commission.
4.5.b The utility shall keep a record of all com-plaints received, which record shall show the name and address of the complainant, the date and character of the complaint, and the adjustment or disposal made thereof.
4.5.c Records of complaints shall not be destroyed until a summary has been prepared for permanent re-cord, showing the character of complaints made, the number of each type received in each month, and the disposition of the complaints.
Hydrant Fire Flow Testing . . . Continued from Page 1
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* PSC WEB PAGE: http://www.psc.state.wv.us * TOLL FREE (800) 344--5113
Public Service Commission of West Virginia Our Staff Is Ready To Help You. Don’t Hesitate To Call Or Write
Jon W. McKinney, Chairman
Commissioners Edward H. Staats
Michael Albert
WATER & WASTEWATER DIVISION Amy L. Swann, Director 340-0481 Vickie Miller, Administrative Secretary 340-0482 Edwina Strickland, Secretary I, 340-3749 CASE CONTROL SECTION Bill Nelson, Chief Utilities Manager 340-0445 David Acord II, Utility Analyst Supervisor 340-0475 Karen L. Buckley, Utility Analyst II 340-0470 Bob Cadle, Utility Analyst II 340-0419 Charles Knurek, Utility Analyst III 340-0460 Randy Lengyel, Utility Analyst III 340-0447 Pete Lopez, Utility Analyst II 340-0823 Scott McNeely, Utility Analyst II 340-0397 Nathan Nelson, Utility Analyst II 340-0488 Michael Quinlan, Utility Analyst I 340-0869 C. Sue Stephenson Utility Analyst I 340-0868 ASSISTANCE SECTION Geert F. Bakker, Chief Utilities Manager 340-0467 Elizabeth J. Perdue, Utility Analyst Supervisor 340-0870 Conrad Bramlee, Utility Analyst III 340-0471 Susan L. Brown, Utility Analyst II 340-0422 Drema Witt, Admin. Service Asst. 340-0440 INFORMAL COMPLAINTS James F. Aucremanne, Consumer Affairs Tech 340-0379 Sharra Huffman, Consumer Affairs Tech 340-0826 Melissa Nicely, Consumer Affairs Tech 340-0494 FAX 340-3759
ENGINEERING DIVISION Earl Melton, PE, Director 340-0392 Victoria Trent, Secretary 340-0370 Lynn Pringle 340-0395 CASE CONTROL SECTION David W. Dove, PE, Chief Utilities Manager 340-0436 Lisa Bailey, Technical Analyst I 340-0499 Audra Blackwell, Technical Analyst II 340-0448 Jonathan Fowler, PE, Engineer III 340-0491 David Holley, Technical Analyst I 340-0328 Joe Marakovits, Technical Analyst III 340-0443 Jim Spurlock, Technical Analyst II 340-0357 Sylvie Steranka, Technical Analyst I 340-0466 James C. Weimer, PE, Engineer I 340-0476 ASSISTANCE SECTION James Ellars, PE, Chief Utilities Manager 340-0331 Jeff Bennett, Utility Inspector II 340-0313 Ralph Clark, PE Engineer II 340-0455 Ingrid Ferrell, Technical Analyst III 340-0335 Dave Foster, Utility Inspector III 340-0398 Craig Miller, Utility Inspector II 340-0353
LEGAL DIVISION
Rick Hitt, General Counsel 340-0317 Janet Brown , Secretary II 340-0332 Karen Fisher, Secretary I 340-0342 Sandy Green, Secretary I 340-0363 Rachel Tolley, Secretary I 340-0319 Caryn Watson Short, Supervising Attorney 340-0338 Leslie Anderson, Staff Attorney 340-0368 John Auville, Staff Attorney 340-0311 Meyishi Blair, Staff Attorney 340-4875 Wendy Braswell, Staff Attorney 340-0334 Carrier Freeman, Staff Attorney 340-0416 Belinda Jackson , Human Resource Attorney 340-0497 Lisa Wansley-Layne, Staff Attorney 340-0431 Terry Owen, Staff Attorney 340-0339 Ron Robertson, Staff Attorney 30-0336 Cass Toon, Staff Attorney 340-0409 FAX 340-0372
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Water & Wastewater Division WV Public Service Commission 201 Brooks Street, P.O. Box 812 Charleston, WV 25323
Pre-Sorted Standard
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 271
Elizabeth Perdue is the supervisor in the Assistance Section of the Water & Wastewater Division of the Public Service Commission. Elizabeth ac-cepted the position in July, 2006. She earned her B.A. degree in Business Management from West Virginia Institute of Technology and later earned her B.A. degree in Accounting from West Virginia University Institute of Tech-nology. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
Elizabeth loves animals. She often takes in strays and finds homes for them. She currently has one cat and nine dogs of her own, plus four foster dogs. Her greatest joy in life is her two year old son, Tanner. She sings in Church and Tanner often accompanies her. Tanner’s favorite toy is Thomas the Train. He dresses in Thomas from his shirt down to his shoes. He even sleeps in a Thomas bed.
Employee Corner