2006 Water Comprehensive Plan - City of Bellevue

Pump Stations. Each pump station is visited frequently by water utility personnel. Additionalsite visits are conducted if an alarm triggers requiring a response is received. During these visits,visual checks are made of the grounds, and the station is observed for security purposes, leaks,unusual odors, noise, or temperature. Diesel-driven pumps and generators are exercised bimonthly.Amperage draws on electric motors are checked annually; other maintenance isperformed as needed. All pump motors are lubricated twice a year; other maintenance at thepump stations is performed as needed.Storage Reservoirs. Each reservoir is frequently visited. Additional site visits are conducted ifan alarm requiring a response is triggered. During these visits, a visual inspection of thegrounds and perimeter is done, and cathodic protection of steel reservoirs is checked for normaloperation. Concrete reservoirs are leak tested each year. Steel and concrete reservoirs aredrained, cleaned, and inspected for structural integrity at least every 3 years. Bellevue’stelemetry system continually monitors and records the water level in each storage reservoir. If aproblem occurs, the telemetry system triggers an alarm and water utility personnel can respond.EMERGENCY PROCEDURESThe City developed and uses an Emergency Operations Plan which defines emergencymanagement organization, responsibilities, and procedures for all City functions in the event ofan emergency or disaster. This plan provides for coordinated response to an emergency amongall the City’s departments, as well as with county, state and federal agencies, and adjacentjurisdictions. It is routinely reviewed and updated to respond to evolving understanding ofpotential threats and national and state emergency response policy.The City’s plan is supplemented by the Utilities Department’s Emergency Management Plan(aka Red Book). The Red Book describes how Bellevue Utilities Department staff should reactto an emergency, including functions and responsibilities of personnel, procedures to befollowed, maps of the area, means of establishing communications between variousorganizations, and lists of people to contact during an emergency.Water Utility personnel have been instructed that, in case of an emergency, they should firstensure their family's safety and then report to work. During an emergency, the Utility wouldfirst attempt to locate any problems, for example, broken water mains, by either the publicnotifying the Utility or by reports from utility personnel sent out to survey the system. Utilitypersonnel will also perform critical site assessments and report any damage. Mike Jackman,Programs and Projects Manager in the Operations and Maintenance Division, is responsible forimplementing the emergency response program.Following the terrorist attack against the U.S. on September 11, 2001, Bellevue Utilitiesevaluated the security of its drinking water supply and distribution system against terroristattack. A consultant performed a preliminary vulnerability assessment of the City’s watersystem in December 2001. Security procedures and physical security measures recommended9-12