Well Sites – Each well site is visited and checked multiple times weekly plus monitored through the District’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This includes maintaining the chlorination feeders and inspecting the well motor, any booster pumps, and electrical components located at each site. The booster sites are maintained continuously and are refurbished as needed.
Annual Well Maintenance – The District has an annual contract for well maintenance. The objective is to have all wells regularly maintained within a five-year cycle. Approximately five wells are identified for such maintenance which often includes pulling the well pump, inspecting the well casing with a video log, and removing built-up debris from the well casing.
Storage Tank Maintenance – One storage tank is usually targeted for inspection each fiscal year to correct any defects to preserve the life of the storage tank. This work is done by a contractor and requires emptying the tank, sandblasting, and coating the interior with epoxy paint. The external surfaces of the storage tanks are also recoated on a regular cycle with some of the larger above-ground tanks including a logo of the District.
Water Line Maintenance – Staff addresses leaks and breaks that occur in the water system along with breaks caused by a variety of events. If a break occurs, the leak is isolated by closing valves in the system to ensure a minimum of customers are out of water. If a repair is planned and not an emergency, customers are notified in advance that they would be out of water. In an emergency, customer service staff is available to answer questions customers may have regarding the lack of water. Utility staff works to repair the break or leak as fast as possible. If a difficult repair is required, staff looks at how to isolate the leak in such a way as to move water around it to reduce the length of time customers may be out of water. These repairs are accomplished at all hours of the day to ensure the District maintains its mission to deliver safe, reliable water to its customers.
Arizona Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (AZWARN) – The District along with Phoenix and Tempe were the first signers to an agreement that initiated AZWARN. Whether fire, flood, or human-caused, a severe emergency could overwhelm the resources of one utility, making assistance from other resources or agencies critical to ensure water and wastewater services continue for the populace. AZWARN now has over 30 members and establishes a framework for water and wastewater utilities to provide such assistance to each other during an emergency.