When two variable-frequency drives (VFD), which vary the frequency and voltage to an electric motor, were cooked during the July 30 scheduled power outage, it made nine total VFDs damaged by power outages at Saratoga’s water well.
The Saratoga/Carbon County Impact Joint Powers Board (Water and Sewer Board) reviewed possible options to prevent these costly losses. The two damaged most recently will cost around $12,000 total, including installation.
The VFDs will be sent out for analysis in order to figure out what is making them susceptible to damage. Options discussed included installing a light in the transporter booth to inform workers about when they should turn equipment back on.
Russell Waldner, board member and General Manager at Carbon Power & Light, suggested that a recorder would help to monitor surges and specific locations of outages. “Every time there has been an issue, we (Carbon Power & Light) have offered a recorder,” Waldner said.
According to Waldner, the single phase protection program, as opposed to a three phase protection program, set up by Carbon Power & Light, helps to reduce outage time, but a recorder would identify some of the issues faced at the water well.
“Basically, it records the voltage and amperage and any other information that’s available on the electric system,” Waldner clarified. “What it determines is if we are in the ranges of the acceptable voltage and power conditions. So, if there’s an issue that is outside the normal range it would record that.” The older models Waldner was involved with purchasing cost around $5,000.
At the Aug. 12 meeting, the Water and Sewer Board discussed current ordinances and how they affect the relationship between residents looking to have a sewer/water tap and pit installed.
While the current cost for equipment and installation is $3,300, the Water and Sewer Board has been charging $2,000 with the town absorbing the rest, according to board member Richard Raymer.
The board discussed that the current ordinance does not cover installation, however wording was changed making the town responsible for the project for the water main up to the property line. The tap and pit projects get more expensive as roads need to be patched up as well as the cost of installation. The board discussed that an ordinance change, relieving the town of installation costs, would help to mitigate the issue. According to Raymer, the Water and Sewer Board should at least be breaking even on these projects. Waldner said that these issues have not been addressed in 10 years.
Further, the board discussed billing efforts for temporary and transient homes at trailer parks Medicine Waters and Deer Haven, with board member Craig Kopacz offering that billing should be based on how many holes and taps there are at the facility.
The board discussed that these numbers would be maintained by the honor system, with spot checking and a fine for ignoring regulations.
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