13. Organization for System Operation and Maintenance Objectives

Following completion of Chapter 13, students should be able to:

  1. Organize an agency to operate and maintain a wastewater collection system.
  2. Identify functions and work activities of essential units within an agency.
  3. Staff and equip essential units within an agency.
  4. Develop priority lists for job assignments for units within an agency.
  5. Describe the various types of equipment maintenance programs.
  6. List the factors that influence an equipment maintenance program.
  7. Develop and implement an equipment maintenance program.
  8. Schedule the collection system activities of an agency.
  9. Evaluate the performance of the collection system and agency.

Confronted with scarce resources of personnel and funds, wastewater collection system agencies must be organized as efficiently as possible. The agency must be organized to produce a comprehensive program that minimizes problems and service requests or complaints. To work effectively, this program must identify the potential problems and, if possible, correct the problems. Such an organization and maintenance program will minimize the development of a nuisance or a public health hazard, but some will develop through no fault of the system due to accidents or disasters that may occur. With the minimization of problems, the taxpayers of the community will be assured that they are receiving excellent service from the wastewater collection system agency. A collection system agency should be organized to respond to various types of problems or complaints that develop and also to attempt to prevent these problems or complaints from occurring. Sections or units within an agency could include emergency service, preventive maintenance, collection system repair and new construction, lift station operation and mechanical maintenance, and an industrial waste section.

Key factors that influence the size and organization of a wastewater collection system agency include the size of the community and area served, topography, population, industrial activity, construction practices, soil conditions, type of materials, age of facilities, adequacy of construction inspection, enforcement of sewer-use ordinances, and effectiveness of past maintenance programs.

Organization charts are helpful to show the overall organization of a municipality and the detailed organization of the collection system. Charts also show the chain of command or flow of authority in an agency to meet the responsibilities of the agency. An effective organization collects good records and reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of equipment and programs in order to develop improved standards and procedures.

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