1:
INITIAL OPERATIONS CHALLENGES
1: Initial Operations Challenges
The Buchanan #1 Water District was still
reeling from a series of Board meetings filled with irate
customers due to an increase in their water rates that had
been unavoidable after Missouri American, their water supplier,
more than doubled the rates they were charging. Long and
heated Board meetings were becoming common.- Because of prior accidents and incidents
with the District, the Board was finding it difficult to
obtain insurance coverage that is essential for any water
district. - One of the initial challenges was
the start up and prove out of a $96,000 pumping station
that had been installed three years prior to Alliance coming
on line, but never put into service. - The water distribution system had
some antiquated controls and very limited
means to monitor tower
levels and system pressures. As a result the one and only
field mechanic was required to monitor the
pump house
seven
days a week and was unable to take time off.
The Buchanan water district purchases its
water wholesale and distributes it on a wholesale basis to
the City of DeKalb and on a retail basis to the residence
of Rushville, Sugar Lake, Bean Lake, Winthrop, Lake Contrary,
Halls and surrounding rural areas.
In addition to a complete range of operation
and maintenance services, Alliance provides Buchanan County
District #1 with a variety of administrative services, including
meter reading, computerized billing, collection, financial
reporting, and day-to-day management of the utility.
- Since Alliance came on, numerous water system
improvements have occurred. These include: the start up
and prove out of the District’s existing pump station,
upgrading old systems controls with new radio telemetry
SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) equipment,
the implementation of a meter change out program to increase
revenues, the hiring of an additional employee in the field
to reduce overtime and reduce the opportunity of jeopardizing
the integrity of the water system, and the construction
of a garage for vehicle and maintenance needs. - Alliance has helped the District upgrade
its filing system, improve delinquent collections and get
a professional handle on its business operations and financial
status. - Alliance has implemented numerous operational
and maintenance procedures to effectively guide day-to-day
operations to accommodate future growth and system improvements. - Increased revenues through meter change out
are beginning to be noticed as well as a reduction in water
loss due to leak detection and repair efforts. - Wholesale contract negotiations with the City of DeKalb were going badly, with negative feelings on both sides. Using lessons learned from assisting many clients through the negotiation process, Alliance was able to help the two communities come to an amicable agreement.
- Alliance closed out the DistrictÕs abandoned wells according to DNR specifications. Proper well abandonment is essential to avoid legal, liability and regulatory issues.
- Alliance was instrumental in joining and formation of the Northwest Missouri Wholesale Water Commission. Eight regional member communities are working together to build a wholesale water supply system that will assure adequate quality and quantity of water for the foreseeable future.
- Ageing infrastructure is resulting in water waste and other problems for the District. Alliance has identified the exact cause and location of the waste issue and is in the process of seeking funding to replace a stretch of faulty water main. Once the problem is fixed, the District should save $20,500 each year.