2. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Investigator Water & Sewer Branch Division of Engineering Public Service Commission PSC INSPECTIONS Jimmy Adcock

3. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Topics Regulations – Which regulations affect you! – Why are there regulations? PSC Inspection Program – Purpose of inspecting a utility – Five elements of the inspection program

4. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Inspection Program To ensure utilities provide customers with safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, just, and reasonable rates To ensure utilities are in compliance with the PSC Statutes and Regulations

5. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Regulations Affecting You Commissions Statutes & Regulations  KRS 74, 278  807 KAR 5:066: Water  807 KAR 5:006: General Rules  807 KAR 5:011: Tariffs

6. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Why Regulations? Inspections are reminders of what regulations require Aid the utility in its operation So utilities may provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, just, and reasonable rates Serve as guidelines for each utility

7. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

8. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

9. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

10. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

11. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

12. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

13. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov or This?This? Why Regulations?

14. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Elements of Inspection Program Report Pre-Inspection Follow-Up Inspection Enforcement

15. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Pre-Inspection

16. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Pre-Inspection The Central Files contain: –Last inspection report –Utility’s reply –Last construction project information –Meter testing reports –Accident and boil water advisories

17. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Pre-Inspection The Annual Report contains: –Latest gross annual utility revenue –Annual water loss –Average daily consumption –Capacity of water plant –Distribution system statistics

18. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov The Inspector Cometh Inspection Checklist (13 pages) Digital Photographs Is your Utility ready for Review Is your Utility in Compliance The Inspector is the eyes and ears of the Public Service Commission

19. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Be Prepared –Fill out inspection worksheet BEFORE inspector arrives Get them in and out –Have records and files ready for inspector to review Highlight your accomplishments –Completed or new projects, no DOW violations

20. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection If the utility discovers a problem or needs assistance, ask inspector for help –Write down any questions you want to ask Inspectors look at many areas of the utility, sometimes areas the utility may want to avoid –Leaks at pump stations, rust on tanks

21. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Office Review (Office Manager) –Posted tariffs, rules, regulations, & statutes –Office personnel security and safety –Office records (new special charges, fees) –Number of customers –Billing cards & Deposit data –Customer complaints & customer service

22. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Office Review (Utility Manager) –Upcoming construction projects –Rate Issues (proposed increases) –Water purchase contracts –Water loss figures from previous year –New water sales to other utilities

23. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Office Review (Utility Manager) –Meter testing program –System map –Safety program –Inspection program –Maintenance program and records –Water quality

24. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov WD Employees should carry current ID’s Vehicles should be properly marked Never enter a resident’s home Employees should be properly trained –Flagging –Dress (Hard hats, orange vests, boots, etc) –Signs and Cones Trenching accidents –400 deaths, 6,400 serious injuries per year in U.S. Safety Program

25. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Office Review (Utility Manager) –Valve program –Accounted-for water loss –Flushing program –Fire protection –Water pressure and hydraulics –Water shortage response plan

26. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Be Proactive, not Inactive or Reactive Preventative Maintenance Program Develop a Systems Management Plan –Each employee should read and sign Leak Detection Program Training, Training, Training –It’s vital for employees to be properly trained Keep critical replacement parts available

27. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Be Proactive, not Inactive or Reactive Promptly notify DOW, PSC & customers of any BWA’s, NOV’s, etc. Promptly notify PSC of substantial property damage or major accidents Keep response time to a minimum Document, Document, Document –Proper record keeping is crucial –Document “everything” –Back-up your data and files

28. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Record Keeping

29. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Periodic Inspection Field Review (Certified Operator) –Utility plant –Distribution system –Inspection and maintenance records –Photographs of water plant, storage tanks, pump stations, deficient facilities –Customer surveys

30. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Inspection Report Inspection checklist used to draft report Copy sent to utility & Division of Water Utility has 30 days to respond Sites new deficiencies and highlights any repeat deficiencies Written report summarizes investigation, includes photographs

31. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Follow-Up Inspection Typically performed at next yearly inspection Some situations warrant sooner follow- up inspections PSC can help with informal follow-up meetings Regulatory compliance is principal goal

32. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Enforcement Deficiencies go uncured, follow-up attempts are unsuccessful Show-cause hearing may be pursued Order may be issued by PSC Franklin Circuit Court may get involved Goal is to AVOID this phase

33. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Summary Regulations – KRS 278, 74 – 807 KAR 5:006, 011, & 066 – Serve as guidelines for each utility – Safe, adequate, reliable service – Fair, just, and reasonable rates

34. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Summary PSC Inspection Program – Reminder of what the regulations require – Pre-Inspection – Inspection – Report – Follow-up – Enforcement

35. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Questions?

36. Public Service Commission http://psc.ky.gov Public Service Commission Investigator, Water & Sewer Branch Division of Engineering Jimmy Adcock 211 Sower Blvd. Frankfort, KY 40602 http://psc.ky.gov Ph: (502) 564-3940 ext 415 Fax: (502) 564-1582 JimmyR.Adcock@ky.gov