Water Resources Research Act Program

Principal Investigators: Shahram Khosrowpanah, Leroy Heitz

Abstract: The Pohnpei Utility Corporation (PUC) operation and maintenance division has undergone relatively large changes in personnel over the last few years and many of the technicians presently working on the system are relatively untrained. Presently PUC is experiencing their most serious operation and maintenance problems with the mechanical and electrical controls for their pumps in the water supply and wastewater collection systems and for the maintenance and repair of altitude and pressure regulating valves in the distribution system. The PUC has requested that we carry out a hands-on training program in pump and automatic regulating valve repair and maintenance for their operation and maintenance people in both the water supply and wastewater areas. The utilities in the other states in the FSM are experiences similar operation and maintenance problems. We are proposing to provide and one weeklong comprehensive training program in operation and maintenance of pumps and valves for utility personnel. The training will be carried out in Pohnpei state but the training will be made avalailble to utility employees from the other three states in the FSM. The proposed training will consist of the following topics:PUMP REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 1. Site inspection of water supply facilities 2. Pump station equipment design, operation and maintenance 3. Hands on training at the CPUC maintenance shop covering preventative and overhaul maintenance of existing pumps and controls 4. Discussion of future needs and required actions for long term preventative maintenance program VALVE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 1. Site inspection of existing altitude and pressure regulating valves (PRV) 2. Theory of operation of Altitude and PRVs 3. Hands on training at the PUC maintenance shop covering preventative and overhaul maintenance of valves 4. Discussion of future needs and required actions for long term preventative maintenance program for automatic valves in utility systems