Dateline August 2003
Emergency Plan Reviewed in Wake of Recent Blackout
Back-up generators, maintenance crews and staff are on constant stand-by to make sure water reaches taps in Mount Pleasant and customers get valuable information, even when the power goes out.
Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW) Commissioners discussed the issue during their August meeting, just days after millions of U.S. and Canadian households suffered through the largest blackout in the nation’s history. During the blackout, some municipal water systems issued boil water notices while other systems had trouble providing water to customers.
"During Hurricane Hugo in 1989, we were without power for an entire week and our back-up system made sure our customers had plenty of water," said MPW Commission vice-chairman Herbie Wilcox.
"It's important to know that we’re ready for any loss-of-power scenario, whether from a large storm or a widespread blackout," said Wilcox. "Since we're heading into September, the prime month for Atlantic hurricanes, it's an appropriate time to remind residents what to expect when the lights go off."
For a week after Hugo and for several days after Hurricane Floyd in 1999, MPW's network of stand-by electric generators kept pumps working for MPW's six deep wells and high-service pumps to deliver drinking water. MPW currently maintains more than 9 million gallons of fresh water in ground storage tanks as a reserve supply in case of emergencies.
During Hugo and Floyd, maintenance crews also worked around the clock to safeguard the environment by shuttling portable generators to 137 wastewater pump stations. This strategy formed a "portable power" network to pump wastewater to MPW's treatment facilities, where on-site generating stations kept treatment processes running.
Communication is a Key
MPW General Manager Clay Duffie also pointed out that MPW now has a detailed Crisis Communications Plan that will help quickly communicate urgent news to customers and those who need to know. He said the MPW staff recently held a crisis training session to test the plan.
Duffie said it is unlikely that a simple loss of electricity would reduce water system pressures because on-site generators would automatically take over. Hurricanes and storm damage, however, are another matter.
Hurricanes impact system pressures because uprooted trees or damaged buildings may cause water line leaks. Throughout the approach and aftermath of a major storm or blackout crisis, MPW cooperates and coordinates with Charleston County Emergency Preparation officials. MPW encourages its customers to monitor media reports in the event of a crisis to check for emergency communications.
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