FPUD awards contract to replace Red Mountain treatment plant UPS batteries and equipment

The uninterruptable power supply batteries which power the backup generator at the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s (FPUD) ultraviolet disinfection facility on Red Mountain Reservoir will be replaced, as will the supporting air conditioning unit, and FPUD will also acquire remote monitoring equipment to monitor the new battery unit.

A 4-0 FPUD board vote Oct. 27, with Bert Hayden absent, approved a $67,960 contract award to S&C Electric Company for the replacement of batteries, an air conditioning unit, a human-machine interface (HMI) computer, and remote monitoring equipment.

“This was to replace the UPS system, the uninterrupted power system, for the ultraviolet treatment system and associated air conditioning equipment. The equipment has experienced failures in the air conditioning equipment which overheated the battery system, so without these replacements we would not be able to operate the ultraviolet system at full capacity,” said FPUD general manager Brian Brady.

In the event of a power outage at the Red Mountain Reservoir ultraviolet treatment facility, an automatic transfer switch will enable the backup generator to provide power to the entire facility. The uninterruptable power supply (UPS) maintains constant operation of the ultraviolet reactors and chemical feed system during the period between the power outage and the start of the generator operation, which ensures that there are no interruptions in the disinfection process and that water delivered to the distribution system is fully treated.

Battery replacement for the UPS is recommended every five years, and during the 2014-15 budget process FPUD budgeted $48,000 for a battery replacement. The UPS failed to operate during an unplanned San Diego Gas & Electric power interruption in September, and it was subsequently determined that the air conditioning unit had failed which caused the unit to overheat and damage the batteries and the HMI computer. The need to repair the equipment caused FPUD staff to recommend the installation of remote monitoring equipment to allow the UPS supplier to gather information from the UPS and alert staff when conditions are not within normal parameters.

The State Water Resources Control Board is allowing the Red Mountain disinfection facility to operate at reduced capacity and with shortened alarm response times until the repairs are completed, but the system may not operate at full capacity until it is fully repaired. Full replacement of the system would cost approximately $225,000, so repair rather than replacement of the system was recommended.