Amador County – Amador Water Agency Board of Directors heard Thursday that its Central Amador Water Project pump system is likely to fail in the next five years.
Kennedy/Jenks Consultant engineer Alex R. Peterson said he was asked to assess the two pump stations’ remaining life, based on his experience with AWA. He designed a replacement system for the pumps in 2001, as contracted by AWA.
After refreshing his memory in a visit, interviews and research last December, he said the 34-year-old system was built well, but has been operating continuously since 1978.
He found damaged protective coating on pipes with up to 355 pounds per square inch pressure, some pipes in contact with soil. Pipes had scratches from their “saddles,” indicating the “pipes are moving on a somewhat regular basis, and these things should not move.”
Peterson said the communications system between pump facilities needs to be replaced immediately to avoid complete failure, and electronics are in danger of a dangerous arc flash.
He said his 2001 study found that they could not reliably replace all of the pump equipment in the same footprint, and today, “these facilities are at or beyond the end of their useful life” and need to be replaced.
Director Don Cooper said the purpose of Peterson’s work was “really assessing risk management of the system.” He said 20 years ago, AWA knew this facility wasn’t going to last forever and began looking at replacement, “and here we are today.”
Cooper said first and foremost they should look at electric power independence, system back-up, fire flow, storage & supply, and quality of water to reduce cost. He said it was apparent in risk management that “on a scale of 1-10, we’re a 10, we’re running a system at a very high risk.”
Cooper said there is erosion at the Tiger Creek location that needs work, and replacing the water line uphill with a new line in the same location would have environmental problems because of the steepness of the hill. He said it would likely have to follow a roadway.
Cooper said: “We need to take action to assure water reliability there.” He joined General Manager Gene Mancebo in recommending they keep the public informed of the conditions. Board President Gary Thomas said they should keep in mind that no action was required. The report was on the agenda for “information only.”
Director Art Toy said Cooper’s comments “parallel my feelings.” He was also alarmed about arc flashes, which can be deadly. He said staff should be acknowledged for the superior work they do with an “antiquated, rickety system.”
Mancebo said in 25 years at AWA, “I can’t tell you the number of weekends I have spent going out there” to help get the water running.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
