Y2K OK

September 17, 1999

Jim Lewis
(St. George, Utah)  Jim Lewis, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities Finance Administrator, told American Water Works Association, Intermountain Section members of his organization's preparation for dealing with the dreaded turn of the century computer snafu, or Y2K problem. In two sessions Lewis told 80 water utility professionals attending the water organization's annual conference "that some are calling the coming turn of the century event the most significant information technology challenge ever - and Salt Lake City is responding to the challenge!" 

The Y2K problem is a result of decisions made by early computer programmers, who used two digit date fields for year designations to save space.  This continued through the years even as computers grew in power and capacity. Computers that sort, compare or perform calculations using dates in two-digit format will generally treat the year 2000 as 1900.  Hardware, software and embedded chips all may contain date-sensitive codes.

An alarm was sounded several years ago when programmers realized that the world's computers might not function at the tick of 12 midnight 2000.  Government, business, banking, the military and every other facet of modern society have grown to rely on computers.  It may be safe to say that computers have a stranglehold on our modern era.  They simply have been allowed to control everything.

The Y2K problem or perception of a problem has grown to enormous proportions. Some are predicting civil unrest resulting from the turn of the century.  Police and fire departments plan to set up command centers in anticipation of problems. Survivalist enterprises are doing a thriving business, as nervous citizens store food and water. Some predict a shortage of cash as banks are depleted of funds before New Years day.  Much of this is hype, but there is an element of concern.  This concern has driven government, business, banking institutions, the military and everyone else that relies on computers to ensure their systems areY2K compatible.

Lewis doesn't subscribe to the doomsday school of thought, but believes that water purveyors need to take a common sense approach to ensure that water services are not affected when the clock strikes 12. He outlined what the Department of Public Utilities is doing in coordination with other city departments.  

The planning steps are as follows:

 ·       All computer hardware, software and equipment were inventoried. This task was completed on December 18, 1998

 ·       All computer hardware, software and equipment were assessed to determine if they were Y2K compatible.  This task was completed on January 11, 1999

 ·       All computer hardware, software and equipment that were not Y2K compatible were made Y2K compatible.  Most of this work has been completed.

 ·       A contingency plan will be developed by October 1999

The Department has met its Y2K schedule. Billing, network software and routers were converted during March 1999. The Water Reclamation Plant SCADA system was being upgraded before the Y2K issue and this task was completed during March 1999. The Parleys Water Treatment Plant was not Y2K compatible, and the plant's SCADA system upgrade will be completed by the end of September 1999. The work order system was not compatible, and a new system was installed during March 1999.  The Reclamation Plant work order system will be completed during September 1999. Lewis believes that the Department is ready, "All of our computers running the SCADA system have been tested and there is great confidence in their ability to handle the Y2K concern."

Always a major concern is the loss of electrical power. In order to insure water, sewer and stormwater services in the event of a power failure, ten back-up electrical generators have been purchased for key facilities.  The acquisition of this equipment was always a part of the Department's emergency preparedness plan, Y2K just accelerated their purchase. These auxiliary power units will allow the Department to pump water to the City's high-elevation zones in the event of any type of disaster or power failure.  Likewise, sewer lift stations can continue to function in the event of a power failure, preventing sewer backups.  These are key facilities in providing service in an emergency situation.  Their utility goes beyond the Y2K problem, especially in dealing with emergency planning for a major earthquake.  The City's customers will benefit well into the future as a result of Y2K planning.

Lewis stressed the need for public relations. "Educating our customers is the best defense against irrational behavior," says Lewis, "A strong, clear message about the safety and stability of their utility is the best way to convince our customers that we are ready for any eventuality." Passing around a 3-inch loose-leaf filled with information gathered in the inventory and assessment processes, he suggested to the group that they document their efforts.  "I get about 6 to 12 calls a day from citizens asking if we are Y2K compatible.  The public is instructed to ask their utility if they are prepared, and I can say with confidence that we've taken every reasonable effort to be fully capable of service on New Years day and into the millennium."

The Department's contingency plan includes having extra system operators available at midnight to manually operate systems if problems occur.

Lewis adds, "Another word of advice is to make sure that your systems can be operated manually if there is an unforeseen computer failure. Nearly all of our operators have minimal experience manually operating treatment plants and distribution systems.  Most are trained to operate with the aid of computers and SCADA systems, so a special effort is needed to operate manually"

Lewis concluded by noting that a great deal of Y2K information is on the Internet, and recommended that this information be searched out in preparing for Y2K. "Be prepared is my best advice," said Lewis.

Questions regarding this can be sent by e-mail to: jim.lewis@ci.slc.ut.us

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