In 2016 Florida was impacted by two hurricanes.  For the Florida Rural Water Association this meant all of our emergency response equipment (22 larger generators/pumps, 12 smaller generators/VFD units and other equipment) were deployed to assist drinking water and wastewater utilities twice in just a few weeks' time.  When Hurricane Hermine hit the Tallahassee area (loss of power for six or more days) the logistics of the equipment wasn't a big issue since it gave FRWA the option of the affected systems could coming to get the equipment at the FRWA warehouse or being delivered by truck.  Just before Hermine hit we had loaned three of our larger generators to systems that had been affected by isolated storm damage while their permanent units were being repaired.

 

Everything had just been returned to our warehouse, serviced, checked over, and determined to be ready to deploy again when Hurricane Matthew hit the central and northern Atlantic coast of Florida.  FRWA loaded everything onto semi-trailers, FRWA emergency response trailer, FRWA trucks, and other equipment to transport to the Atlantic coast locations of staging and deployment in Port Orange and JEA.  (FRWA would like to thank both systems for their assistance and leadership during this time).  Once all of the larger generators, pumps, and trash pumps/generator VFDs arrived at their destination and were unloaded delivery went pretty smoothly.

 

Lessons we learned from back to back deployment are:

 

Lesson Number One FRWA has one membership owned semi-trailer and we rent semi-tractors and additional semi-trailers.  Semi-tractors are readily available for rental but flatbed trailers are not.  FRWA purchased a second drop-deck semitrailer for use and quick loading and delivery.

 

Lesson Number Two Generators larger than FRWA's 150 KW were requested, so we purchased a 175 KW unit.  Larger units than these are hard to tow with FRWA trucks and load/unload on semis without large cranes.

 

Lesson Number Three Bypass pumps are in high demand and requested.  FRWA has purchased a new 6" bypass pump and two 4" trash pumps for use.

 

Lesson Number Four Fuel transfer and remote generator refueling is needed.  FRWA is now equipping fuel trailers with 250 gallon tanks for equipment fueling in emergency needs.

 

FRWA continues to learn lessons as we know water utilities do. We continue to strive to be better prepared and equipped for any upcoming emergency events in order to help FlaWarn and FRWA water utilities.

FRWA recommends Regular Water System Preventive Maintenance -- aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures. Some tasks should occur weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

This week let's request that an engineer do a structural inspection of your tank and coating if it has not been done in the past five years.  Be sure to clean the tank prior to the inspection.