[Vision2020] Moscow's Water Problems

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (September 20, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Pump No. 9 needs more work
Moscow's well No. 9 pump was back online temporarily this week, but had to be shut down again because the electric current through the motor is running too high.
The city shut down well No. 9 in June when it stopped functioning and sent the pump motor to be repaired by Alstra Industries in Tempe, Ariz., at a cost of $40,000.
Once the motor and pump were reinstalled, the motor began running at a higher amperage, which causes its protection unit to shut it down, said Tom Scallorn, city water/wastewater manager.
Everything above ground has been tested and corrected, and Avista Utilities checked power to the pump Wednesday with no problems found.
"My best understanding at this time is we'll need to pull the pump and motor back out and figure out what's wrong," Scallorn said. "We've done everything we can to confirm it is not above ground."
The city may not be on the hook for more repair costs on the pump motor if work was not properly or adequately conducted by Alstra Industries, he said.
"Considering what's found, it may not be something the city has to pay for," he said.
Without the pump, which can produce up to 40 percent of the city's water, production is at around 5.1 million gallons per day. Consumption peaked at 4.9 million gallons per day in mid-August and the city had considered putting a mandatory watering ban in place at that time. Water usage is holding steady at about 3.5 million gallons per day.
Scallorn said city staff has not yet determined when this year's irrigation season will end, which is determined based on several factors, particularly precipitation.

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Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares"
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students.  The college students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."

- Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)
 
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