Is Your Water or Wastewater System Prepared? What You Need to Know About Generators.


Is Your Water  or Wastewater System Prepared?
What You Need  to Know
4>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency Mid-Atlantic
EPA 903-F-11-002
March 2011
     oss of electricity
     quickly
     'becomes a
major challenge
during natural
disasters and could
raise public health
concerns. Without
backup power for an
extended period, many
water and wastewater
services cannot be
provided. However,
as demonstrated
during incidents such
as hurricanes and ice
storms, not all utilities
are prepared to get their
systems operational
again. This brochure
provides tools and
prompts utilities to
better prepare for
emergency generator
needs, provides
tips on running and
maintaining  generators,
and includes an
easy-to-copy form
to determine and
document backup
power needs.
How do I know what my backup power
needs are?
1.  Classify the electrical needs at your utility.
    Critical need. Equipment essential to
    maintain public health protection (e.g.,
    pumps).
    Secondary need.  Equipment that would
    enhance operation, but is not critical
    (e.g., SCAD A components).
    Noncritical need. Equipment provided
    for convenience/comfort, but not essential (e.g., pumphouse lights).
Only consider needs critical to maintaining an acceptable level of service
during power outages at your utility.

2.  Identify the electrical equipment within the critical needs at your utility
and determine their voltage, phase configuration, and horsepower/amperage
requirements. Remember, electrical equipment starting power demands are
usually two to three times higher than their running demands, which may
dictate a larger generator.  A licensed electrician can provide assistance in
determining your backup power needs.

3.  List all your critical electrical equipment and their starting order to
determine your required starting power. At a minimum, your generator(s) must
have the capacity to supply the maximum starting power demands and the
running demands of the connected equipment.

4.  Determine your generator needs. Make it easy by using the attached form.
  "Having a backup generator is essential, but ours
  failed when we needed it most. It is critical to keep
  your generator maintained and to test it regularly
  under its operating load.  Our lesson learned?
  Make sure you get to know your local emergency
  planners and have a plan for backup power."

  - a water system operator
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What other considerations are there?

1. Fuel Type - Fuel type greatly influences emergency generator(s)
selection. Diesel generators are the most common, and offer the
largest selection, availability, and power range (from 5 kilowatts [kW]
to over 2,000 kW). To select an appropriate fuel supply, consider:
Diesel1 Natural Gas2 Propane3 Gasoline
Fuel Storage
Fuel Delivery
Method
Generator
Availability
Generator
Portability
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1
Assumes a consumption rate of 0.07 gallons per hour for every IkW of power generated.
Assumes access to a pipeline. Can use propane as a backup fuel, but requires an adapter.
Use the generator specification sheet to calculate expected runtime for a given load and propane
tank capacity.
3
Also check any local or state regulations regarding air quality, as
these may affect the generator(s) you select.
2. Hook-Up Method - Generators do not simply plug into
a piece of equipment that you would like to power. You have
to install a connection that will enable you to rapidly hook up
the generator to your well or sewer lift station pumps, and not
accidently "backfeed" electricity into utility company lines,
which could electrocute a line worker. Connection methods
include transfer switches and camlocks.
Transfer switches can be either
automatic or manual, and will let you
easily switch back and forth between
commercial and generator power
sources. These switches are typically
installed close to your main breaker box.

Camlocks are connectors that can be
used to connect a generator directly to
a critical piece of equipment, such as a
pump at a wellhead or lift station.
Transfer Switch
Camlock
You will need a licensed electrician to
help you determine which method is best for you and to assist
with installation. A licensed electrician can also help you size
the connector and ground cables.
3. Location - Emergency generators
must be able to withstand climate
extremes and be able to operate under
all conditions. Things to consider
when locating a generator at your
utility include:

• Environmental considerations.
It is important to prevent
contamination of source water by
fuel, and state requirements, such
as containment measures, should
be checked. Generators and
their fuel storage tanks must be
located above potential floodwater
levels. Generators should also be
protected by using a weatherproof
enclosure. Check with your state
for other requirements.

• Siting considerations.
Aflat surface (e.g., concrete slab)
without obstacles is needed for a
portable generator. In addition, be
sure that the generator is in a well-
lit or patrolled area to avoid theft
and vandalism.
4. Other Options - For added
flexibility, consider a variable frequency
drive (VFD). The VFD is easy to
operate, can convert single-phase power
from small generators to three-phase
power, and can supply power under a
variety of horsepower demands. Small,
portable generators that can be used
with a VFD are
readily available
from the nearest
hardware
supplier.
Consult your
licensed
electrician to
see if a VFD is
right for your
utility.
VFD mounted in box
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Should I purchase, rent, borrow, or share?
Many factors affect the decision to buy, rent, borrow, or share a generator(s). Funding, maintenance
requirements, rental availability, and mutual aid and assistance agreements should all be considered. If you are
sharing, who gets the generator first? It is probably easiest to make the decision by considering the advantages
and disadvantages of having a generator onsite (purchase) versus obtaining a generator offsite (rent, borrow, or
share).
The tables shown here highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Onsite Generator (Purchase
| Advantages
Immediate start-up during
a power failure, as it's
already at your utility and
ready to go
You are familiar with the
generator and its operation
Can be any size
Disadvantages
Up-front capital
investment could be costly
Long-term maintenance is
required
A disaster that damages
your plant may also
damage your generator
site Generator (Rent/Borrow/Shan
Advantages
No large up-front capital
cost if rented, or, if pur-
chase cost shared with
other utilities
Flexibility in where you
get it from, could have
multiple sources
Shared (or no) long-term
maintenance costs
Disadvantages
Travel time delays to get
generator to your site,
especially if roads are
impassable
May require special equip-
ment (e.g., crane) and extra
personnel (e.g., electrician)
to install
In a large incident, may be
hard to locate a generator
due to competing demands
Unique circumstances at your utility will ultimately
determine whether purchasing, renting, borrowing, or
sharing a generator will work best. Regardless, once
you have determined your backup power needs, you should communicate those needs to your Local Emergency
Planning Committee (LEPC) or emergency management director. This allows them to be aware of the generator
resources that you already have (if any) and what generator resources you will need during a power emergency,
and any priority public health aspects related to power loss.
Operation and Maintenance Tips
• Exercise your generator periodically under the actual electrical load required of the unit to keep it
ready for use.
• Develop a "start and connect" checklist specific to each individual generator and keep it where staff
can easily find it.
• Do not operate the generator in excess of its rated capacity.
• Be sure the generator is properly grounded.
• Keep portable generators outside and at least 10 feet away and downwind from inhabited, enclosed
areas to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide fumes.
• Maintain 3 to 4 feet of clear space on all sides and above a generator for adequate ventilation.
• Perform scheduled maintenance as recommended by the generator manufacturer.
• Incorporate fuel management into the maintenance schedule to ensure availability of clean, reliable
fuel.
• Do not refuel the generator while it is running, turn it off first and let it cool, especially if the generator
uses gasoline.
• Keep the generator dry by keeping it elevated and away from possible flooding.
• Support electrical cords off the ground and do not let cords run through low-lying areas or puddles.
• Replace any cords with damaged insulation.
• Train all staff on how to operate the generator safely.
• Wear hearing protection if you have to work close to a generator.
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Where can I  go to find out more about generators?
 Emergency Response Portal, U.S. Army Corps of
 Engineers (USAGE)
 https://eportal.usace.army.mil/sites/ENGLink/
 EmergencyPower/default.aspx
Information sharing tool to build federal, state and local
capabilities to respond to disasters. Contains links to
documents on Standard Operating Procedures of the
Temporary Emergency Power Mission.
 Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA)
 http://www.egsa.org/index.cfm
Association dedicated to on-site power generation that
includes over 500 companies that make, sell, distribute,
and use onsite power generation technology and
equipment.
 Water & Wastewater Mutual Aid & Assistance Resource
 Typing Manual
 http: //www.nationalwarn. org
This manual provides guidance to water and wastewater
utilities when they request and provide mutual aid and
assistance resources (such as generators) during and after
an emergency.
 OSHA Hurricane Safety Tips
 http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.
 athruz?pType=Industry&pID= 107
Although dedicated to hurricanes, this site contains many
safety tips regarding generator usage and other topics that
are common to all disasters.
 FlaWARN Best Management Practices For Water and
 Wastewater Systems
 http://www.flawarn.org/Documents/BMPs.pdf
Guidance document produced by the Florida WARN
including Best Management Practices for water facility
emergency preparedness and response.
 "When the power went out, we couldn't pump and pressurize our system. But we are a
 small utility, and can't afford a generator. We joined the WARN as one way to locate a
                         generator the next time we need one."
                                    - a water supplier
 Who can I contact in my state?

 Call your consulting engineer or licensed electrician
 if you have specific questions regarding a generator(s)
 at your utility.  Each utility is unique in its critical
 treament processes and its design, and you will want
 your own experts to help you answer any questions
 you may have regarding backup power generation.
 Also, check with your state drinking water primacy
 agency to see what (if any) generator or fuel storage
 requirements there are for utilities in your state.
        TIP: Joining a Water/Wastewater
      Agency Response Network ( WARN)
         is one way to borrow or share
                  generators.

           www.dewarn.org
           www.mdwarn.org
           www.ncrwarn.org
           www. pa wa rn.org
           www.vawarn.org
           www.wvwarn.org
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EMERGENCY GENERATOR INFORMATION FORM - Side 1 (complete prior to an emergency)
Instructions - Side 1

• Get a licensed electrician to help
complete this form.
• Fill out a copy of the form for each
generator location.
• Store copy in multiple safe places (ERP,
truck, offsite file).
• Share the form with LEPC, WARN or
state primacy agency.
• Update form periodically.
Contact Information
Name:

Title: _
Day Phone:.
Em erg. Phone:.
System Name:
Street Address, City, and State:.
Max Day Demand (MOD*): _
* Million Gallons per Day
PWSID#:.
Avg. Daily Demand (MOD*)
Critical Utility Electrical Needs: (copy form as necessary)
Location (Name/#):,
Location (Name/#):,
Location (Name/#):
.No.
Generator Needs: (copy form as necessary)

Location (Name/#):
Existing transfer switch: Yes No ; Existing 'add-a-phase' or 'roto-phase' unit: Yes.
(These units convert a single phase line to a three-phase line)
Size of electrical main breaker: Amps
System Voltage: 240 volt single phase 240 volt three phase
208 volt three phase 480 volt three phase
Major motors, in starting order, used for facility operations:
(example: 75 HP 2 Quantity 460 Volts 3 Phase)
HP Quantity Volts Phase
HP Quantity Volts Phase
HP Quantity Volts Phase
HP Quantity Volts Phase
Note: at a minimum, a generator
must have capacity to supply
maximum starting power
demands and running demands of
connected electrical equipment.
Existing concrete pad to locate generator? Yes.
System meter kilowatt reading:
, No Distance of pad to connection point:
Generator Type (from AWWA Water & Wastewater Mutual Aid & Assistance Resource Typing Manual):
Additional comments:
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EMERGENCY GENERATOR INFORMATION FORM - Side 2 (complete prior to an emergency)
Instructions - Side 2

Title: _
Day Phone:.
Em erg. Phone:.
PWSID#:.
Avg. Daily Demand (MGD*)_
Existing Generators: (copy form as necessary)

On-site generator location (name/#):
Is on-site generator portable? Yes No
If facility has an off-site generator ready for use in an emergency, what is the source/location of the
generator?
Existing transfer switch: Yes No AND, if yes, is switch manual? or automatic?
If automatic, what brand is the switch and how many wires are required to start?
Size of generator:
Configuration: (Wye or Delta):.
.kilo Volt Amperes (kVA).
.kilowatts (kW)
, (A Wye configuration is in the shape of a "Y", and a Delta
configuration is in the shape of the Greek letter delta "A", a triangle)
Load cable length: Feet Load cable size: Thousand Circular Mils (MCM)
or American Wire Gauge (AWG)
Ground cable length: Feet Ground cable size: (MCM or AWG)
Generator connection point: Fuel tank size:
Fuel type: diesel natural gas propane gas gasoline other
Fuel available on-site? Yes.
.No.
If yes, how much?.
How stored?.
Who provides generator maintenance and testing service?.
What is the testing cycle and last test date?
Does utility have access to an electrician? Yes No_
Transformer size(s) painted on front of the unit(s): kVA.
Generator Type (from AWWA Water & Wastewater Mutual Aid & Assistance Resource Typing Manual):
# of power company transformers:
kVA kVA kVA.
System is WARN member and willing to list as an available WARN resource? Yes
No
Additional comments:
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