The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in the Southwestern U.S. is having GPS/GIS mapping inventory done for its electric, water/wastewater and gas utilities concurrently.
In March of 2000, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), an enterprise of the Navajo Nation and the governing body for the utilities of the reservation, began soliciting bids to develop a state-of-the-art GPS/GIS mapping system for their utilities. After receiving bids from 14 nationwide companies, the Authority awarded Global Mapping Solutions (GMS) with what is currently the largest GPS/GIS private contract in the United States.
Several innovative ideas and plans, unique to Global Mapping Solutions, will be implemented to aid in the completion and accuracy of this project.
One distinct aspect of this project is that Global Mapping Solutions will be conducting an inventory of electric, water/wastewater and gas utilities concurrently. This process is a pioneering step forward in the GPS/GIS industry since most companies concentrate their efforts on one utility when taking an inventory. GMS will be covering an area of approximately 25,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
To contend with the vast size of the project, the company will divide the reservation into five sections, assigning field crews to each section. Each crew will be responsible for all utilities in their respective areas. As the crews cover their assigned area, their stamina and equipment will be tested as they encounter one of the most diverse environments in the United States.
To counter these conditions all employees will be given access to harsh environment computers and facilitative equipment such as ATVs, 4 X 4 trucks, and radio communication. In addition, all employees received first aid and other safety training prior to beginning work in the field.
Allowing GMS to complete the Navajo Indian Reservation Project in the unprecedented manner of taking inventory of utilities concurrently is the development of FMGPS software. Using a combined 15 years experience in the GPS/GIS industry, company staff set out to develop software that would aid in the process of field data collection and meet a growing need for a complete field data collection application.
"We were looking for something that would streamline the data collection process and provide a more accurate end product," said Vice President Trip Chavis.
With this in mind, Global Mapping Solutions developed FMGPS. FMGPS allows users to use real time display to monitor data collected as well as establish database relational and topological associations while in the field. In addition, FMGPS allows field crews to establish lines (i.e. conductor, pipe etc.) while in the field, resulting in a topologically sound deliverable product.
FMGPS is a totally interactive application, providing the user and the client with the flexibility needed for seamless GPS/GIS integration.
Utility Orders UV Disinfection System
Trojan Technologies has been awarded its first contract to supply the UVSwifttrademark Municipal Drinking Water Disinfection System. The contract, for two ultraviolet (UV) disinfection units, was awarded by the Town of Ontario, New York.
The systems will disinfect drinking water supplied to a service area of approximately 30,000 people. The two units are to be installed in an existing drinking water facility as part of a multi-barrier disinfection strategy, combining UV technology with traditional chemical disinfection.
"We're very pleased to have received the award for this drinking water system because it demonstrates the role of Trojan's UVSwift% product line in supporting smaller communities' implementation of a multi-barrier disinfection strategy. Through the addition of UV disinfection, they can protect their residents from a complete range of pathogens for less than $100,000." said Marvin DeVries, Chief Operating Officer.
Since the product launch in June 2000, Trojan has submitted initial quotations on more than $100 million worth of projects for the disinfection of municipal drinking water supplies globally. Municipal demonstration systems have been installed at treatment sites in both North America, (including a trial in the community of North Bay, Ontario) and in Europe.
Work Completed on Aluminum Reservoir Roof
Temcor recently completed construction of a column-supported aluminum roof system at the Ozark Point Water Treatment Plant in Little Rock, AR. The concrete roof of the potable water storage reservoir was replaced as part of an upgrade. The 178' x 261' x 151` x 261' trapezoidal roof was installed by an average crew of six in just 10 weeks.
When the project was put out to bid by the Little Rock Municipal Water Works, a roof of Reynolds-Vangard panels was specified. Vangard panels offer an interlocking, hidden fastener system that reduces the probability of leaks. Mobley, the low-bidding general contractor, originally planned to contract with one firm to frame the roof system and then hire another to install the panels.
The company chose Temcor for two reasons: Temcor offered a complete turnkey solution for both fabrication and installation, and its bid was competitive.
The company also offered significant engineering improvements to the project's design. By optimizing the framing plan with custom aluminum shapes, fewer support columns were required. The number of columns needed was reduced from 72 as specified in the original plan to only 46. Temcor also changed the design of the support connections to allow for thermal expansion within the tank.
The system was designed with several custom features including one 19' x 6' access hatch, one 4' x 4' access hatch and two ridge line ventilators. The roof was finished with a Kynar II paint.
City Signs Contract for Customer Management System
SCT, a provider of e-business solutions, reports that Mesa, AZ, has contracted for the company's Banner CMS, a computerized system that will integrate and improve the management of operations, including billing and customer service, for the municipal utility's 350,000 electric and water customers.
The contract has a potential value in excess of $5.5 million. The agreement is subject to the city appropriating sufficient funds for the services over a multi-year period.
The SCT system will enable Mesa to offer enhanced billing services by streamlining processes and giving customers access to their account information online. The municipality also will be able to unbundle rates and charges within customers' bills - a significant improvement over the previous system and a key requirement in Arizona's soon-to-be-deregulated electric power utility environment. The system is scheduled for implementation by the end of 2001.
Mesa's Banner CMS incorporates several key components, including CIS, Customer Contact, Electronic Work Queue and Target+. Mesa also retains the option to license SCT's recently developed eCSR, a Web-based interface designed to give authorized users internal and external points of access to the system.
The software system will provide the utility with access to a wide array of information - including account details, pricing information and requested services -that will improve, as well as expedite, the care customer service representatives provide. The customer service department also will be better able to track complaints through the resolution process.
Project to Explore Role of Pre-Oxidants in Removal of Pathogens During Filtration
Becker and O'Melia, a specialized research and consulting firm, has received major funding from the American Water Works Association Research Foundation to investigate a new water treatment strategy that in preliminary studies has shown protection against pathogens in drinking water, according to Bill Becker, president of Becker and O'Melia.
"Our preliminary research has shown that pre- or intermediate oxidants such as chlorine and ozone can significantly improve particle removal performance in filters," Becker said. "We're pleased AwwaRF has given us the opportunity to examine for the first time how oxidants can best be used to optimize filter performance."
Becker said that while some filtration plants are moving away from pre-chlorine because of concerns over disinfection byproducts, this research on the use of oxidants in enhancing filtration is promising.
"This research could lead to increased protection against Cryptosporidium and other waterborne pathogens in water supplies throughout the United States," Becker said. The proper use of pre- and intermediate oxidants can minimize the chance of future waterborne disease outbreaks, he said.
AwwaRF will provide $150,000 to the research and consulting firm for the project, "The Use of Oxidants to Minimize the Passage of Pathogenic Particles Through Granular Media Filters."
According to Bob Allen, senior project manager at AwwaRF: "The goal of AwwaRF's unsolicited proposal program is to fund innovative and creative research that may be considered a risky investment by some organizations that fund research but could lead to significant advances for the industry. Although this type of research has not yet been attempted by others and is quite innovative, we are confident that Becker and O'Melia will provide us with new information that utilities can use in their pursuit of protecting public health. "
The research, to be conducted in partnership with the American Water Works Service Company, follows upon another project recently announced by Becker and O'Melia with AwwaRF. Titled, "Impacts of Major Point and Nonpoint Sources on Raw Water Treatability," this project will evaluate the impact of pollution and source water protection measures on treatment plant performance and treatment costs.
"This project ultimately will serve as a negotiating tool for utility managers as they protect watersheds," Becker said.
