HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05.bOperations & Maintenance
October 2011
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Well Rehabilitation
Efficiency in the collection and
distribution of drinking water is a
key component of reducing the
City's energy use and conserving
water resources. Properly
maintaining pumps and motors
ensures that they continue to meet
their design specifications for their
pumping rate and water
production. This provides the best
return for our energy dollar. The
Toss of well performance hurts
production and can be the result of
damage to either the pump or the well.
Pumping tests and water samples are used
to indicate potential problems. A well that
doesn't meet its expected pumping rate
might mean a problem with the pump or
motor. A well with sand in the water
sample could indicate that the well itself is
filling with sand. Currently Wells 15 and 16
are undergoing rehabilitation. The pumps
and motors were removed and checked for
damage and loss of efficiency, the well
casing was removed and checked for pipe
integrity, and the wells themselves were
checked for problems. At Well 16, the influx
of sand was limiting well capacity and had
potential to damage the pump if not
corrected. A contractor has been removing
sand from the bottom of the well using a
LAKEVILLE OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Christopher Petree, Director
October 2011
technique called air lifting. During this process, air is pumped down into the well
below water level and begins to push water to the surface. That, in turn, creates a
suction effect that brings loose sand out along with the water. Sand was also
found in Well 15, but in lesser amounts. Once sand removal is completed at Well
16, the well components for both wells will be reinstalled and the wells returned
to service.
FaII Sweeping
During October, staff works to close out
summer activities and transition both
equipment and attitudes to the upcoming
winter season. One of the tasks that adds to
the workload is fall leaf sweeping. Beginning
at the end of October, the Streets Division
moves out with sweepers and dump trucks to
remove leaves along the gutter line
throughout the City. If left on the street, the
leaves will eventually end up in the storm
sewer system. Once there, they could clog
catch basins and pipes and result in backups.
Clogged storm sewer Tines can result in
significant local flooding as snow melts and
spring rain moves in, but during the winter
they can lead to icing problems as snow melts
and refreezes. During sweeping
operations, a water tanker
precedes the sweepers wetting
the street to make the leaves
easier to pick up. When full, the
sweepers empty their hoppers
into dump trucks, which then
take the leaves to a dumpsite.
Over the course of a few weeks,
sweeping operations move
across the City collecting as
many leaves as they can. As
time permits, the sweepers will
make a second pass through
specific areas to pick up the
leaves that stubbornly hang on into November. Keeping the storm
operating efficiently is important for moving snowmelt and storm
and mitigating the potential for localized flooding.
sewer system
water runoff
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Catch Basin Repair Trailer
Several times over the past few
months, we have talked about
repairs to storm sewer catch basins
that have deteriorated as a result of
groundwater infiltration. Repairs
normally take several trucks to carry
the various tools and components
to the work site. To streamline the
process, the Streets Division
designed a catch basin repair trailer
to carry everything needed to make
the repair. The challenge was in
getting it from the drawing board
to the street. In researching
options, the Streets Division applied for and was awarded an Operational
Research Assistance (OPERA) grant of $3,500 from the Minnesota Local Road
Research Board. The grant funds projects up to $10,000 and is designed to
relating to methods,
promote innovations in operations and maintenance
materials, and equipment. Also, it works to
create an environment for intelligent
improvement to maintenance operations
leading to a safer, easier, and more efficient
workplace. Staff took an existing trailer and
fabricated the racks and tie downs needed
to carry cement rings, tools, a vibratory
compactor, jackhammer, water, and a
cement mixer. The OPERA grant enabled
the installation of a crane on the rear corner
of the trailer to lift the catch basin castings.
The benefits gained by the Street Division
include a reduction in the number of
vehicles on site, having all the necessary
repair items readily available, and having
mechanical means to lift heavy castings,
rings, and equipment. The trailer will mean
a faster response to and completion of catch
basin repairs.
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Salt Delivery
October is also a time to stock salt
for the coming winter season.
Along with traditional road salt
which operates best at surface
temperatures above 15 the Streets
Division also uses a Cargill product
called ClearLane®, which is road salt
treated with magnesium chloride.
This enhanced deicer has the
benefit of operating at surface
temperatures below zero, as well as
having better adhesion to the
road surface resulting in fewer
potential applications and less
product use. This enhanced
deicer is used almost exclusively
during the coldest winter months.
During October, the City received
over 2000 tons of ClearLane®
representing about two - thirds of
the amount planned annually. In
addition, staff plans for the
purchase of 2000 tons of regular
road salt to meet deicing needs
early in the season and as
temperatures warm in March.
Winter No Parking
As a reminder, winter no parking rules went into
effect on November 1 and continue to April 1, 2012.
The ordinance prohibits on- street parking between 2
a.m. and 6 a.m. daily. On- street parking is also
prohibited when its snowing, until the street has
been cleared. The ordinance is designed to reduce
the potential for property damage as plows work
their way through the each plow route. Without
cars parked on the street, the plows can be more
efficient in snow removal and quickly move through
their routes providing safer driving conditions for
Lakeville motorists.
NO
ON STREET
PARKING
ZAM -6AM
NOV 1-APR F 11
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