City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release
Summer 2011
Rural Water Updates for the area served by twin towers near 44th Ave. & Range Rd
Photos: The City of Stillwater Water Utilities Department is installed a new water pump for the area served by the twin towers at 44th Ave. and Range Rd. The new pump will deliver 50 percent more water. The job was completed Aug. 4. The twin towers are full of water! Follow the construction progress on the City's Flickr.com site. |
Rural Water Update for Aug. 5, 2011
- Today's low water pressure due to auto-reset problem.
Although the tanks were full yesterday by late afternoon, residents may have experience low water pressure on Friday, because the pump's auto-restart malfunctioned. By mid-morning, the pump was restarted manually, and the tanks began to refill. Crews were working to correct the problem. Dan Blankenship said someone has been assigned to check on the auto-restart all weekend to make sure the pump restarts properly.
Rural Water Update for Aug. 4, 2011
- Good news! The new water booster pump station is in service and the twin towers are full.
While assessing the pipe partial failure at the temporary portable pump yesterday evening, we decided to focus all of our effort on the new pump station and associated pipe rather than fixing the temporary piping since we were getting very close to the completion of the new pump station. At about 1:30 this morning, the work was completed and the new pump station was activated. At about 10:00 this morning the twin towers were both completely full. We will continue to monitor the towers and the distribution system to see how they function with the new pump station then determine the next appropriate course of action. As we monitor the system operation, it will be necessary to make adjustments to the pumps so that we can keep the towers full but not overflowing. Until we have the pumps properly adjusted, customers may experience short periods of low water pressure.
Generally speaking, with the towers full all customers should see a noticeable increase in water pressure. However, if anyone continues to experience problems, please let us know. We appreciate any feedback as it helps us to assess how the system is functioning.
We will continue to provide updates as we monitor the system and as we take action that is needed to prevent future problems. I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to work to resolve the problems.
Rural Water Update for Aug. 3, 2011
- IMPORTANT: Pipe Failure. Only use water for health and sanitation purposes.
City of Stillwater Utilities Director Dan Blankenship reported that there was another pipe failure at the portable diesel pump on 32nd and Range Wednesday evening. "In a routine check the pipe was found to be deformed and leaking. In order to avert a complete failure of the pipe, we have reduced the operating speed of the pump, which will significantly impact our ability to fill the towers. It's likely that there will be a very noticeable decrease in water pressure, especially in the higher elevations of the twin tower service area over the next 12 to 18 hours. Water distribution crews have been dispatched and will remain on site until the problem has been corrected. During this timeframe, we are asking all customers in the twin tower service area to use water that is absolutely necessary for health and sanitation purposes."
Rural Water Update for Aug. 2, 2011
- Pipe Failure. Last night there was a pipe failure on the suction side of the portable diesel pump station that resulted in the pump being taken off line from midnight until about 4:30 a.m. for repairs. Since the pump was off line during the time that it would normally be filling the Twin Towers, the water level in the towers this morning is much lower than it has been over the past week, and the pressures in the water distribution system in the area are noticeably lower.
- New Pump Station. The Water Utilities Department continues to make progress on the new pump station, which may be ready to be put into service by this weekend. When the new pump station is ready to be tied into the water system, we will have to shut down the diesel pump. It is anticipated that the connections will take approximately 4 hours to complete. Once we have established a firm timeframe in which the connection will be made, we will provide a 24-hour advance notice.
- Water Restriction. SUA Trustees authorized City Administration to call for mandatory external water restrictions in a portion of Rural Water Coro. 3 Service area served by the Twin Towers if the new pump station is not effective in resolving the low pressure problems in the area. The extent of the restrictions if necessary will be determined after the new pump station has been operational for several days.
- Download data logger graphs for Briarcreek, Twin Towers West, Vista Lane.
END
Rural Water Update for Aug. 1, 2011
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Aug. 1, 2011) – The City of Stillwater continues to make progress installing the new water pump for the twin water towers at 44th Ave. and Range Rd. As of today, all of the piping is in place and staff is working on electrical needs.
Utilities Director Dan Blankenship said almost 30 people attended the July 28 Rural Water meeting and a good discussion was had. He appreciated that they took the time to show their concern and hear what was happening in their neighborhood.
For those who were unable to attend Blankenship’s PowerPoint is available below.
The following information was also shared at the meeting.
» Latest Information:
• The City is asking that residents in this area conserve by watering outside only between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. so that the twin towers can refill as much as possible over night.
• Water Utility department has been and continues to gather data that will help with both the short-term and long-term solutions.
• A new, more powerful pump station is being constructed to replace the old pump station that filled the twin towers. A temporary diesel pump has been installed to fill the twin towers. The new pump station is expected to be completed in mid-August.
• Stillwater City Council approved a three-month moratorium for new taps in the area while the City continues to gather data, so it can make recommendations to correct the problem.
» How to get up-to-date information?
• City website. http://stillwater.org/content/2011/rural-water-update.php
• Email updates. Send an email to news@stillwater.org.
• Facebook. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/CityOfStillwater.
• Twitter. Follow us at http://twitter.com/#!/StillwaterOKgov.
• Phone. (405) 742-8325 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Public meetings will be organized as needed. Thanks to all who attended the July 28 meeting!
The city will release updates as needed through out the remainder of this project.
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View PowerPoint from July 28 meeting
Update: Thursday, July 28
Project Limits: Area served by twin towers near 44th Ave. & Range Rd.
Background
The City of Stillwater assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of Rural Water Corp. 3 in 2007 and understands that residents in this area have in the past and are currently experiencing low water pressure during summer months. Recently it has been confirmed that the pressure in certain portions of the water system has fallen below the 25 psi minimum pressure required by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. It is believed that the problem is, in part, due to a general increase in water use by all consumers, extreme weather and urban-style development drawing water from a water distribution system intended for rural usage.
What else is happening?
- The City is asking that residents conserve by watering outside only between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. so that the twin towers can refill as much as possible over night.
- Water Utility Department has been and continues to gather data that will help with both the short-term and long-term solutions.
- A new, more powerful pump station is being constructed to replace the old pump station that filled the twin towers. A temporary diesel pump has been installed to fill the twin towers. The new pump station is expected to be completed in mid-August.
- Stillwater City Council approved a three-month moratorium for new taps in the area while the City continues to gather data, so it can make recommendations to correct the problem.
How to get up-to-date information?
- City website — Bookmark < http://stillwater.org/content/2011/rural-water-update.php >. View photoslide show of the new pump being installed.
- Email updates — Send an email to < news@stillwater.org >. All updates will be forwarded to your email box.
- Facebook — The City of Stillwater's Facebook page may be found at < http://www.facebook.com/CityOfStillwater >
- Twitter — The City of Stillwater's Twitter page may be found at < http://twitter.com/#!/StillwaterOKgov >
- Phone — (405) 742-8325 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Public meetings will be organized as needed.
Water restricted area map
Map updated July 25, 2011
View larger image/Download map
Rural Water Meeting slated for Thursday, July 28
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / July 25, 2011) – The City of Stillwater has organized a public meeting for area residents to hear information and ask questions about the rural water system on Thursday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Stillwater Public Library, 1107 S. Duck, Rm. 119.
Stillwater Utilities Authority Director Dan Blankenship and Water Utilities Director Anthony Daniel will lead the meeting. Topics to be discussed include the water pressure issues, replacement of pump station, water use restrictions and other short-term and long-term concerns.
For more information, call (405) 742-8362 or email news@stillwater.org.
Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org