The Maintenance Department is responsible for the continued operation and maintenance of the Regional Sewer District’s treatment facilities equipment and machinery that are required to protect water quality.

 

The daily essential job functions performed by the department include, but are not limited to:

  • Respond to communication alarms and equipment failure to diagnose and make repairs as needed.
  • Repair, install, and remove mechanical equipment such as pumps, blowers, motors etc. including the repair/replacement of seals, bearings, shafts, sensors, windings, impellers, volutes, wiring, cords, and other related components.
  • Maintain and repair equipment such as forklifts, skid steers, aerial-lift platforms, trailers, mowers, and grounds equipment.
  • Troubleshoot the standby generator equipment and systems, including switchgears, transfer switches, fuel systems, and other components.
  • Installs, connects, maintains and troubleshoots 480 volt 3 phase, 230 volt 3 phase, 230 volt 1 phase, 120 volt 1 phase, 24 volt AC, and 12 volt DC systems.
  • Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuitry and devices including, fuses, switches, contactors, coils, relays, overloads, meters, timers, alternators, transformers, breakers, current transformers, surge suppression devices, disconnects, 12 volt systems, and 24 volt systems.
  • Modifies, constructs, and installs treatment systems and equipment throughout the District.
  • Maintain readiness of portable generators, portable pumps, and all other emergency response equipment.
  • Respond to declared County emergencies and other emergency situations that may require the use of equipment to protect the public health.

 

Critical Skills and Expertise

  • Thorough knowledge of materials, tools and standard practices of a variety of mechanical trades with particular emphasis on wastewater treatment plant equipment.
  • Knowledge of wastewater treatment chemicals and associated SDS.
  • Thorough knowledge of the precautionary measures taken when dealing with the occupational hazards connected with general maintenance operations, including ARC flash, confined space entry, and lock out/tag out.
  • Working knowledge of SCADA system including but not limited to, radios, computers, antenna system, and I/O wiring.
  • Working knowledge and understanding of PLC components including, but not limited to, processors, input/output boards, power supplies, and programming.

 

Certifications Required

  • State of Ohio Commercial Driver License

 

Certifications Preferred

  • Ohio EPA Collection System / Wastewater Operator Certification.

 

Departmental Programs

 

The Maintenance Department is responsible for a wide variety of maintenance and duties throughout the District. There are several programs used to properly schedule and maintain compliance with the County’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES).

The specialized programs established to maintain regulatory compliance are as follows:

  • Project Planning and Installation – the department holds Plan of Action (POA) meetings to discuss the design and installation of new equipment. The department has successfully completed the following tasks: standby generator installation, anoxic zone installation (walls & mixer), communication tower installation, pump installs, UV upgrade, and tertiary filter rebuilds.
  • Equipment Preventative Maintenance (PM) – Implemented for the purpose of maintaining and extending the life expectancy of all District equipment. PM technicians have a goal to maintain every piece of equipment at least once per year. The team uses asset management software to schedule work orders for maintenance throughout the year. Each piece of equipment is documented with pictures of nameplates, which list significant information for repairs that may be needed.
  • Electrical Preventative Maintenance (PM) – This program allows the Electronic Maintenance Technicians to organize and manage an electrical preventative and predictive maintenance program. The PM program is in place for the technicians to complete thermal imaging, motor insulation resistance testing, motor amperage trending, MCC and control panel cleaning.
  • Pump Repair Shop – More than thirty pumps are rebuilt in the DCRSD repair shop annually. The ability to rebuild pumps in house increases the District’s efficiency.
  • Emergency Response – A very crucial part of the maintenance department that cannot be overlooked. Our maintenance crew responds to high level alarms at pump stations that are used to help transport sewage to treatment facilities. Power outages create possible emergency issues within the sewer district. Emergency response equipment ranges from five portable standby generators to two portable pumps.

 

Occupational Hazards

The Maintenance Department is subject to a wide variety of occupational exposures while performing routine daily duties. Many of the exposures may often cause acute and chronic health conditions and possibly serious health related issues. The Regional Sewer District Joint Health and Safety Committee works diligently to identify work related exposures and provide technical standard operating procedures and hands-on training to protect the employees from illness and injury in the workplace. The most common hazards that the Maintenance Department face each day includes, but is not limited to:

  • Arc-Flash
  • Electrical Shock
  • Tower Climbing
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Hazardous Atmospheres
  • Blood Borne Pathogens