Operations and Maintenance Activities
Training/Administrative: District Staff attended Defensive Driving Refresher Training at the District. The training was presented by JPIA Senior Risk Management Consultant Lee Patton and included 33 employees. The Assistant Maintenance Foreman tested for and passed the California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) Licensing and Certification Examination. District staff participated in a Rural Crime Awareness presentation put on by Detective Eric Fennell of the Kern County Sheriff=s Office. Officer Fennell discussed rural crime trends and prevention methods with staff. He emphasized the need to use caution when encountering suspicious activities. Staff assisted in retrieving stored materials from District=s attic storage area to assist office staff in complying with a Public Records Act request.
Field and System Maintenance: Fabrication began the first of the month on the discharge pipping for the Well #C-6W. This is a new District owned well formerly identified as Well #B-3 which discharges into the 850 canal. Installation was completed by the middle of the month. Spot spraying of weeds continued along the 850 canal, and at various pumping plants. Two applications of Copper Sulfate and one application of Cutrine Ultra were made to the 850 canal to control algae. One application of Magnacide H was also made to control pondweed. Staff relocated equipment and other stored items from the back lot area in preparation for new asphalt paving. A temporary entrance was designated on the west side of the main office to allow access to the main parking area and shop. Bowman Asphalt completed the District Driveway and Shop Area Repaving project. Future use conduits were installed at three locations and one water flush line was installed after the contractor removed the old paving, and prior to new paving. Concrete walkway was also removed in sections to allow access under the deeper curbing. An adjustable blow off valve was installed on the A-4W user well input to the 850A lateral, this replaces the temporary non-adjustable blow off valve. Several field trouble reports were completed to replace rusted out turnout tubes and spools, weld pinhole leaks in piping, and change broken butterfly valves. A District backhoe was utilized on several occasions to remove debris from the traveling water screens along the 850 canal. At months end a concrete slab was installed at WRM 9 for a new water filter system. The filters will be installed in July. Several damaged side walk panels were removed at the end of the month with repairs scheduled to be completed the first week in July. The District=s drag was utilized along the AD@ Reach to control algae.
There were two occurrences of power related problems during the month of June.
On June 22nd a power failure occurred at 3P-P2 at approximately 1645 hours due to blown utility pole fuses. The fuses were replaced by the power provider and power was restored at 1830 hours.
On June 25th, a low voltage problem occurred at PC-1. Pumping was reduced to maintain sufficient voltage to continue to operate. The power provider was notified of the problem. It was determined that the low voltage was caused by a regulator at a substation being out of service. The regulator was repaired and returned to service on June 27th. The voltage returned to normal levels and there have been no further issues.
There were no reported pipeline leaks during the month.
There was a repair of a previously reported leak that occurred at the 4PE lateral on May 19th. The repair began on June 24th and was completed on the 25th when the Lateral was returned to service.
Pump and Electrical Maintenance: The motor and water pump were replaced on the mechanics shop cooler. Annual servicing of air conditioning units through out the district continued in June. Pump/Electrical Technicians serviced the equipment in their assigned areas as needed throughout the month. A 5 CFS 3 stage can pump was assembled using parts from different pumps to determine if everything would be in alignment. The pump was then taken apart, powder coated and the wear rings replaced. This pump will be used as a spare. The 800 AMP Tri-Pack main breaker for 4P-P2, Unit #5 would trip on startup. The motor was replaced with a spare and the unit was returned to service. An electrical lug for 5P-P3, Unit #3 overheated. The lug was replaced with one out of stock supplies. The 5 CFS two stage pump for WRM-6, Unit #3 a was reinstalled after repairs. The unit is back in service. The motor for 6P-P2, Unit #1 was found with a burnt motor lead. The lead was repaired and the unit placed back in service. The pump for 7P-P2, Unit #1 was found with a broken pump shaft. The pump was pulled and replaced with a rebuilt spare. The traveling water screen at WRM-9 was found with several bent rods. They were replaced without removing the screen. The PB-l traveling water screen was brought to the yard for repair. Several sections of screen material were replaced, new slide material installed, and several rods were replaced. The screen was returned to service. Mice had chewed the wire and broke the connection to the PC-l control gate. New wire was pulled from the MC Building to the junction box in the southeast corner of the yard.
Wells: Drip oil was delivered to the well sites as needed. Pacific Irrigation installed the new pump for Well #C-2. The motor was delivered, a drip oil barrel was set in place. And the well was placed beck in service. The motor for Well #C6 Well developed an oil leak. The motor was pulled and brought to the yard for repair. The guide bearing was replaced and the motor reset.
Equipment Maintenance: Regular service & safety checks were performed on thirteen District vehicles.
The windshield on Unit #348 was replaced. The front brakes and two tires on Unit #349 were replaced. The starter on the Dump Truck, Unit #362 was replaced. The upper cable rollers on the Hydro-crane, Unit #366 were replaced. The Flatbed, Unit #367 was serviced. A tire on the Disc, Unit #751 was replaced. The overall fleet vehicle average gasoline consumption was 15.05 miles per gallon. The District fleet consumption average was 148 gallons per day. Current gasoline bulk purchase prices for the District are in the $2.36 per gallon range, and $2.42 per gallon for diesel fuel. This compares with the 2010 budget amount of $3.05 per gallon for gasoline, and $2.85 per gallon for diesel fuel.
Safety: Three AHeat Stress Safety@ tailgate meetings were held on June 4, 2010 to stress the importance of Heat Illness awareness. The tailgate meetings were held by Operations, Maintenance and Pump/Electrical Supervisors for all department staff. A Safety meeting on Heat Stress and Heat Exhaustion was held with twenty-six employees in attendance. A video entitled AHeat Stress - Working Safely in Hot Environments@ was viewed. The District=s ACode of Safe Practices: Heat Stress and Heat Exhaustion@ was reviewed by all employees. A Safety hand rail above the maintenance office area was found to be loose and unsafe. The rail was removed and new improved bracing was installed.