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No Typical DaysWith hundreds of miles of water lines in a seismically active region, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District's capable, energetic construction team must be ever at the ready. The 5-member team is responsible for in-ground maintenance of more than 450 miles of pipes ranging from 4 inches to 42 inches in diameter, for both the potable and recycled water systems. Beyond that, there are large-size meters, concrete work for services throughout the water systems, and care of more than 1500 hydrants - a critical aspect of water service in our fire-prone area. The nature of work of the construction team means they can be called in any day, any hour. Water emergencies have no time or holiday limits and must be assessed and repaired as soon as possible, to ensure reliable service to water customers. There are no "typical" days. For example, one Friday evening last June the construction team began working with the district's maintenance crew at 6 p.m., on a planned repair. Work continued through the night, and at 6 a.m. the next day an emergency call came in. The construction team was called in to locate the source of water flowing adjacent to the 101 freeway in Calabasas. They dug through the morning and worked (literally) around the clock (again) to complete repairs and restore service to customers back by mid-day Sunday. Then Monday came another call for an emergency break, and the team was back out digging, assessing and repairing. Fortunately, events of this nature are not a common occurrence, although unplanned repairs can take up 70% of the team´s time, stated Jim Olney, Construction Supervisor. Locating waterline breaks is not a simple task. Team members must be well acquainted with the water district's 122-square mile service area, including where water lines run, the amount or pressure, the age and type of pipe, how deep it is buried, and the characteristics of the ground. Heavy equipment operation is just part of the work, and team members must be certified to use backhoes, tractors and other apparatus. As they dig, water continues to rush, so pinning down the source of the leakage can be delicate and difficult. Experienced team members gain almost a "sixth sense" in tracking down leaks. On average, 50 unplanned repair calls - both large and small -- are received over the course of year -- but there have been as many as 15 in one week. "It´s a big challenge to prioritize these demands", added Olney. The construction team is involved on projects from start to finish, which means everything from excavating, to making the repairs, to repaving the patch in the street. They do it all. Planned repairs and work projects fill the remainder of the team's time. They install connections for new construction, maintain the district's in-ground vaults and associated meters, and provide construction support for water district operations and facilities, often substituting work that an independent contractor would do for special projects. It is not unusual for the construction team to find themselves at work in the middle of the street. Working this close to moving traffic makes them appreciate cautious drivers who slow down and take extra care. It makes their job easier to complete in a timely manner if they do not have to focus on traffic. So the next time you see LVMWD trucks in the road, think of the members of the construction team "down in the hole". Someday it may be your water service they are working hard to repair. | |||||||||
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