What Should Be on Our ‘Spring Cleaning’ Checklist?

This month's question asks about “spring cleaning” activities that should be done each year. Whether they are called spring cleaning, annual inspection, or performance enhancement, these activities serve two purposes: ensuring that treatment and distribution systems are performing mechanically as they should; and, preventing potential problems by catching them early, before they affect treatment plant effectiveness. The article explains that some activities are weather dependent and some are flow dependent, and that keeping a detailed record is essential. Activities include: open/close every valve in the treatment and distribution system; clean and lubricate pumps and meters; replace any tubing that is discolored, stretched, or brittle; check and clean the chemical supply area and replace expired chemicals and reagents; clean and inspect backup equipment, including the backup generator, to make sure they are all operational and full of fuel; organize the maintenance and repair‐parts storage; organize manufacturer catalogs and literature in an operation and maintenance file cabinet; complete tutorials on information management software; surf the Internet for websites that provide reliable, impartial information and resources; conduct customer surveys; keep customers abreast of treatment practices; take classes offered on compliance, treatment techniques, or regulatory interpretation to expand your professional knowledge and provide you with valuable contacts on the state and national levels; and, train seasonal employees so they are prepared to jump right in to their work when needed. The article provides a list of additional resources.