Update on 40 HP Pump - Return to "normal" Water Use with Even/Odd Watering Schedule

Thank you to all Patrons for minimizing their water use for the last four days!

We replaced the fan on the installed pump motor yesterday and the pump motor temperature has dropped to within an acceptable operating range.  However, we are still hearing sounds that indicate a bearing problem, although we are still not sure if it is the pump motor or in the pump stack.  The good news is that we have a spare replacement kit for the pump stack, if it fails.  We also received back the rebuilt pump motor that failed a week and a half ago, and we are due to receive the new pump motor at the end of this week.  This gives us several back-up options if another failure occurs.

At this time, we are going to let the current equipment run as installed, and give all Patrons the go ahead to resume "normal" water use, with the exception that we would like all Patrons to irrigate on the "Even and Odd Day" process.  If your street address is an even number, please water on even days only; those with addresses that are odd numbers, water on odd days only (although you don't have to water every other day, if it is not necessary!).  Please schedule watering early in the morning to maximize absorption.  We believe that this practice will allow the pumps periodic rest times, and still enable the reservoirs to be replenished fully.

Thank you for your assistance.

Special BOD Meeting Wednesday July 31, 2019 at 6:00 PM

A Special Board of Directors Meeting will be held this Wednesday July 31, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.
Please click on the page Board Meeting Agendas to view the agenda.

40 HP Pump is at Risk of Failing Again

40 HP Pump is at Risk of Failing Again!

Please minimize water use immediately!

The 40 HP pump that was repaired last week is at risk of failing again.  At this time we cannot pinpoint whether a bearing failure in the rebuilt pump motor or in the impeller stack is the most likely possible failure, but the sound coming from the pump, beginning this morning, appears to be the precursor to a bearing failure.  We have authorized a local company to rebuild the pump motor that failed last week, but their best estimate for delivery would be Monday or Tuesday. We do not receive the new pump motor until the end of the week. 

If the pump fails, there will be widespread District water service interruptions as the system reservoirs empty.  If all Patrons can minimize water use, we can delay the water outages, and we can periodically rest the pump to try to last until we get the repair parts.

Many of you received a recorded Emergency Phone message from the Board President this evening, but unfortunately we do not have a phone number for all Patrons in our database.  If you see your neighbors, please ask if they know about the water emergency, and if not, ask them to help by minimizing their water use, and to monitor the blog for updates.

We will be sending out a notice with the next billing to provide emergency notification information for all Patrons, so that we can ensure that all Patrons receive timely notifications of Water System issues in the future.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation!

Please monitor this blog over the next week for more information and updates.

July 26, 2019 Update on Pump

Thank you to all Patrons who continue to conserve water use!

Please continue your conservation until we have a complete repair of the 40 HP Pump!

Patrons' efforts to conserve water use since the 40 HP pump failure last week has allowed the reservoirs to be fully recovered AND we have even been able to periodically rest our overheating 40 HP Pump during low demand times so that we can cool it down.  We have also been using external fans to try to keep the temperature down, but the pump motor is still operating at a temperature level that puts the pump at risk of failure.  

We have a new motor fan being received this week and we are hoping that by replacing the current motor fan, we will see temperatures come down in the pump motor.  Since this is not a sure thing, we have also placed an order for a complete new pump motor at the cost of ~$5000.00 which is due to arrive middle to late next week.

Please monitor this blog for information regarding the timing of the pump motor replacement and possible water service interruptions that may occur during the repair.  We anticipate that the motor replacement will take the better part of a day.

Agenda for July 24, 2019 BOD Meeting

KCWD1 Board of Directors Meeting July 24, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.
Firehouse 7739 E. Sunnyside Road
To view agenda click on page Board Meeting Agendas.

REPAIRED PUMP IS AT RISK FOR FAILING AGAIN!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONSERVE WATER!

What is happening:  The 40 HP Pump repaired yesterday is again at risk of failure!  We replaced the failed pump motor yesterday with a rebuilt motor that we had on hand.  Although this got the system back online quickly, unfortunately, this motor is overheating, and while we have fans running to try to cool it, the motor is continuing to run hot, and may fail. The reservoir is only at 50% after 24 hours, which means that both the 20 HP and 40 HP pumps are running 24/7.  If the 40 HP pump goes down, it will again cause widespread water service interruption until we can get a new motor installed.

What we are doing:  We are trying to source a new 40 HP motor and get it on order quickly.  However, the lead time to receive this 500 lb. motor will be days at best, and could possibly take weeks. 

What you can do to help:  Continue to minimize water usage until we have a reliable repair in place.  We will post updates on this blog as the timing becomes more clear.

Longer term solution:  As part of the Engineering Plan submitted to the DEQ for approval, to be funded by a Bond approved in the November 2019 election, a redundant 60 HP pump is to be installed in this part of our system, to ensure that if one of the three pumps fails, the system will still have the pumping capacity to keep the Distribution mains pressurized for total water demand.  The redundant pump will also ensure that we do not have to run any of the pumps 24/7 and we can take any one offline for maintenance without interrupting water production.

Pump Repaired - PLEASE CONSERVE WATER FOR NEXT 24 HOURS!

40 HP Pump repair is complete, but the reservoir needs time to recover so that we can get full repressurization of the Distribution mains.  Please do not irrigate for 24 more hours, and continue to conserve water use over the next 24 hours to enable full system recovery.  Next week’s forecast is for higher temperatures, so it is important to get our system fully charged.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Water Outages Update

PLEASE TURN OFF SPRINKLERS IF YOU HAVE ANY WATER PRESSURE!  Please use water sparingly today and tomorrow.

We have a pump bearing failure in the pump house, and, as a result, the reservoirs feeding the Distribution mains to your homes are very low, causing widespread water outages.  We have called the service provider that can fix the pump, and we have the parts on hand.  Once they arrive, our best estimate, at this time, is that it will take about two hours to repair.  However, once the pump is online again, it will take at least a day to recover the reservoir levels and full pressurization of the Distribution systems.  Will post updates as we get them.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Water Outages

Water Outages reported on E Highview, Bonnell, Vista Loop, High Chaparral, and Borley this morning.  We will post updates when we have more information.