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Water Utility Makes Use of National Weather Service Radar
Author(s) -
Gerwin Stephen C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1987.tb02858.x
Subject(s) - national weather service , thunderstorm , service (business) , storm , radar , environmental science , weather radar , meteorology , lightning (connector) , commission , severe weather , business , engineering , power (physics) , geography , telecommunications , finance , marketing , physics , quantum mechanics
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) has tied into the National Weather Service radar system to take measures against the disruptions in water service caused by power outages during frequent severe summer thunderstorms. Advance warnings of potential outages enable the utility to fill elevated storage tanks to maximal capacities, and pumping can be done during offpeak periods when electric rates are lower. In addition, repair crews can be stationed at strategic locations in advance of storms so that they do not have to travel long distances to reach affected facilities. The WSSC purchased receiving equipment for the weather information, but the information itself is furnished free of charge by the National Weather Service.