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City staff praised for Sink Hole Sunday response
By Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
‘Sink Hole Sunday’ – as a March 15 day of public works hell is now being referred to – could cost the City of Cranbrook as much as $100,000.
City chief administrative officer Wayne Staudt provided a report and update March 23 for city council.
“At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Saturday March 14, a small control valve that governs operation of a large diameter pressure reducing valve (PRV) located in Pressure Reducing Station #4 (PR#4) failed. The component failure resulted in an approximate 20 psi increase (52 psi to 72 psi) in water pressure to the water mains in the downstream pressure zone supplied by PR#4. Although, the water pressure increase in the downstream pressure zone was relatively small and would have little impact to newer water mains and services, the effect within the aging water mains and services was enough to accelerate the failure of existing weak points,” Staudt explained.
On Sunday, March 15, multiple city crews and contract forces repaired seven water main and service failures over a very long day, he said, adding, “Two additional water main breaks were repaired on Monday, March 16 by the same very tired crews for a total of nine excavations and repairs.”
Staudt praised city staff for their efforts in controlling a serious situation.
“Throughout the emergency situation, Public Works personnel went to great effort to ensure that a measure of water supply was maintained to many properties for as long as possible prior to the actual repairs. Those properties that were served by the failed water mains repaired on Monday March 15 were provided with temporary water services throughout Sunday night.
“Chris Zettel, Corporate Communications Officer, maintained regular contact with key personnel coordinating the repair work and provided regular updates to the media and the public. Mr. Zettel’s efforts to keep affected and interested residents apprised of the cause of the problem and the hour by hour activities of the Public Works crews resulted in a great deal of positive feedback and support to the crews who were performing the work. The value of this cannot be overstated. A full report will be provided through the CAO when all of the facts have been collected,” Staudt stated in his report to council.
“These things happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if that weekend cost us $100,000,” he said.
Council members also praised city staff for their work during the wet weekend.
“These guys work; they work hard,” said Coun. Tom Shypitka. “They worked under brutal conditions.”
Mayor Lee Pratt said he was pleased by city staff’s work.
“It makes you feel good (knowing) that you have staff like that working for the city,” he said.
