PI System Updates

Tuesday, July 15 (5:53 p.m.)
Public Works has completed the installation of the two booster pumps on Pond #12. Currently, the tank is at 6.7 feet. Yesterday the tank reached a high level of 2.8 feet, so it is already doing better today. We will continue to monitor the system as the tank recovers. It may take a few days for things to stabilize, since tonight at midnight is when a large demand will occur, and residents will be watering heavy to give their landscaping a good drink. Pressures in the Juniper Heights area are improving. On Sandalwood Drive, the highest point in the Juniper area, residents have reported pressures of about 60 psi.

Monday, July 14, 2008 (4:43 p.m.)
Following the replacement of two pumps during the week of July 6, the City's Pressurized Irrigation system took another hit last week. Two different pumps were lost, one on Wednesday, July 9, and a second on Friday, July 11. The first replacement pump was ordered the day it failed, and is now enroute to Cedar Hills. It is expected to arrive on Tuesday, July 15. Additionally, in an effort to receive the second replacement pump in a more timely way, a City employee drove overnight to Sacramento to pick it up. Both pumps are scheduled to be installed on Tuesday, July 15.

Please know that we understand the frustration that many of you feel; the City is in a similar situation. We are doing our best, including working around the clock and driving long distances, to do what is necessary to get the PI system fully operational.

We appreciate all residents who are adhering to the prescribed watering schedule. This will allow the system to recover more quickly once the replacement pumps are installed. Watering every day to “catch up” on missed watering times simply depletes the tank and prolongs the recovery time of the system. Thank you for your continued patience.

Monday, July 7, 2008 (9:20 AM)
The system was operational during the majority of the holiday weekend. If you are still having specific concerns, please contact Public Works (785-9668, ext. 202). Some residents have reported having low pressure. Most of the demand on the system occurs between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m., so if you are watering during those times and have low pressure or no water at all, try watering at a different time within your schedule.

Thursday, July 3, 2008 (5:58 PM)
FAQs—Where do we go from here?

If I miss a watering time on my approved day, can I make it up the next day? No. This practice depletes the available water in the system for all users. The watering schedule is outlined to allow half of the connections to water each day, so the pumps can adequately fill the storage tanks based on consumption.

What is the penalty for watering outside of the City-approved schedule? The first violation is a written warning. A notice will be placed on your door indicating the reason for the violation (wrong day or wrong time). This written warning is followed up with a letter to ensure that the notice was received. The second and subsequent violations are $50 fines. These fines are charged to your utility bill.

What can I do once I receive a warning violation? Make the necessary adjustments to your watering system to avoid future fines.

I received a $50 watering violation fine. Can this be waived? You are given one opportunity to waive a violation by submitting a watering audit of your system. This is a FREE review of your system conducted by “Slow the Flow.” To schedule an inspection, call 801-851-8467, and leave your name, address, and phone number. Someone from the “Slow the Flow” program will contact you and make an appointment to come to your home and check if your lawn is getting the proper amount of water.

Why do I see some large users watering during the day? Can I also water during the day? We have some large users watering during the day to ensure that there is adequate supply when the residential demand is needed. Residential watering between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm is prohibited to allow the overall system to recover from the heavy residential demand.

If I am planning to install new landscaping, can I water outside of the City schedule? All “New Lawn” exceptions expired June 30, 2008, and no exceptions are given during the months of July and August. If you are planning to install new landscaping that will require more water than would be available with the approved schedule, it may be better to wait until after September 1 for installation.

Again, we appreciated everyone’s patience as the City worked to replace the failed pumps. With everyone’s continued patience and cooperation, we will be able to regulate the system so everyone’s water needs may be met.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 (11:15 AM)
The City's Pressurized Irrigation (PI) Upper Pressure Zone is slowly recovering from the loss of two pumps that fill the PI storage tank. Two of the four pumps that went down have now been replaced. Currently, the system is running around the clock to fill the tank and allow the system to run as intended. 

We are asking for your strict compliance with the City-wide watering schedule during this time. With only two operational pumps during the past week, water consumption has been astronomical and has been higher than the pumps' ability to fill the tank. We understand that a number of residents were not able to water during their scheduled times, but “playing catch-up” and watering during unapproved times simply exaggerates the problem.   

If you have urgent watering needs, we suggest that you spot water with hose in hand. Carefully evaluate your current system settings to ensure that you are watering only as needed. With compliance from everyone and a mindset of conservation when using secondary water over the next 7-14 days, we anticipate the system recovering and being able to return to normal. All new lawn exceptions have expired, so the City-wide watering schedule will be strictly enforced.

Friday, June 27, 2008 (3:49 PM)
One of the two replacement pumps was installed this afternoon. We anticipate that this will allow the tank to be adequately filled tonight to allow everyone to resume the City-approved watering schedules over the weekend.

Friday, June 27, 2008 (12:32 PM)
We anticipate having the lower pressure zone up and running between 8:00 p.m. and midnight this evening. If you normally water Mon., Wed., Fri., you may be able to water this evening and should be back to normal status by Monday. If you normally water Tues., Thurs., Sunday, you should be able to water as outlined on Sunday.

Thursday night the upper pressure zone PI tank was nearly emptied again, but the two working pumps are currently filling the tank for tonight. One of the two replacement pumps is scheduled to be installed by 2:00 p.m. today and will begin to fill the tank along with the two operational pumps. We anticipate that this will allow the tank to be adequately filled tonight to allow those in the upper zone to resume the City-approved watering schedule. On Monday, June 30, we expect the arrival of the second replacement pump, which, when installed, will begin the full recovery of the system.

New Lawn Exceptions – Those who have applied for watering exceptions for new lawns should be able to water as desired during the remaining days of June. Please be aware that ALL new lawn exceptions expire on June 30. If your new lawn still requires additional watering after June 30, please be aware that you are able to water during both the morning and evening times on your allowed days, including Saturday.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 (4:47 PM)
The PI system was shut down in the upper zone on Monday night because some of the supplemental pumps were not functioning. Throughout the City (including the lower zone) secondary water will be off and on tonight and over the weekend. Crews are working as quickly as possible to replace the pumps, and we are hopeful that the two functioning pumps will fill the tank full enough each night for some watering. The problem is, residents are trying to play catch up, and Tuesday night all two million gallons of water were emptied from the tank in just eight hours! It's going to take a great deal of patience on everyone's part to get through this together, so please be judicious in your secondary water usage over the next week. The watering schedule and restrictions still apply. Otherwise, the tanks will quickly be depleted, and recovery of the system may be prolonged. If watering can occur in a more controlled fashion, the tank can fill as water is being used. Thank you for your patience as we work toward a fully-operational system.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 (12:26 PM)
1. One of the new pumps is currently in transport from Sacramento and should be here tomorrow [Friday] late AM. Our pump supplier will be out here right afterward to install the pump. Best case scenario: we will have pump #3 up and running tomorrow [Friday] PM.

2. Pump #4 is coming from Texas and should be here next week.

3. We are turning off the system in the lower zone. This will happen this afternoon.  Therefore, all of the residents in the lower zone, who have not been affected at all, will have 24 hours or less w/o secondary water. We will open valves in the lower zone tomorrow PM.

4. We will most likely be playing catch up for the next week or so, based on our residents' use of available water in the tanks. We drained the upper 2.2 million gallon tank two nights ago in about eight hours.

5. One week from today, we should be back to normal with four pumps working.

6. We are sending the malfunctioning pump #3 to Texas to be repaired to have a replacement pump in storage. Nonetheless, if another pump goes out, it takes a crane to pull the one ton pump out of the hole and replace it with a new one, as well as the electricians to disconnect and reconnect the replacement. In other words, it is a time-consuming and costly venture.

We are working our hardest to rectify this issue in a timely manner.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 (10:46 AM)
Due to a pump failure in the upper zone on Monday night, the City’s pressurized irrigation system is currently off line. We appreciate your patience as the City actively works to repair and restore the system.