Spray Field Maintenance and Operation Process Action Team
Goal:
To study and improve the routine maintenance and operation of the spray fields
Sponsor:
Dave Burns
Members:
- Bob Franks, Leader
- Andy Estright
- Don Supenia
- Greg Wheeler
- Ron Wrye
- Gina Lyons, Facilitator
Problem/Background:
- Excessive number of man-hours spent performing repetitive, routine maintenance and operation of the spray fields
- The existing sprayfields have been in operation for approximately 15 years. The condition of the equipment and systems has deteriorated and requires more maintenance. However, the number of personnel responsible for the maintenance and operation has decreased
- Laterals are opened, closed and drained twice a day
- During the summer months, many hours are spent repetitively mowing and trimming spray areas
- During the winter months, snow and ice cause dangerous conditions and increase the time required to operate the laterals
Objective:
Reduce the number of man-hours required to perform the repetitive, routine maintenance and operational tasks, allowing more time to perform proactive maintenance on the system
Constraints/Resources:
- Money available for investment in new equipment
- No additional staff will be available
Key Performance Measures:
Man-hours required to perform routine maintenance and operation
Expected Results:
Implement the work process changes and follow up to ensure changes are effective and remain in place
Review Milestones:
- Team agrees with problem statement and objectives
- Micro flowchart developed
- Options determined and evaluated
- Implementation plan developed
Desired Report Out Date:
June 15, 1999
Update:
The following are the solution recommendations and the current status:
- Additional Task Numbers
- Has been implemented
- Small corrections needed
- Additional numbers needed
- Lateral Spraying - Additional Manpower
- Laterals are being prepared for spraying
- Backpack sprayers have been purchased
- First spraying is scheduled for June 17, 1999
- The field workers and the additional manpower of two wage payrolls will spray under licensed supervision
- New Equipment
- Tractor - we have been given the OK to talk to the appropriate parties to discuss what best suits our needs and at what cost
- Pipe Threader - has been ordered
- Automatic Drains
- We are in the process of seeing if anything is available on the market or using the existing equipment on hand to conduct an experiment
- Approval has been given for both
- Modify Permit
- The idea was proposed to the Wasterwater Distribution Committee by John Gaudlip
- The committee had about even water distribution and saturation rates
- The idea is on hold but not totally ruled out
- Change Work Schedule
- Bill Shaw is concerned about the reduced hours of evening field coverage this would create
- If any changes occur within the current system, this idea will be reviewed at that time