http://kz.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/19991102y2kh20$01.frm

City to test water system's Y2K readiness

Tuesday, November 2, 1999

BY TOM HAROLDSON KALAMAZOO GAZETTE

This is a test: Beginning at 7 tonight, the power supply to the city of Kalamazoo's water system will be shut down. Then, for the next 24 hours, water will flow only by emergency generators.

The test is the final stage to see if the Kalamazoo water system is ready to handle potential Y2K-related power outages on Jan. 1, 2000.

Bruce Minsley, deputy chief of the Kalamazoo Public Services Department, has every confidence that the water will continue running to all customers during the 24-hour test.

"Any Y2K software issues involving the water supply have been addressed and we're good to go on Jan. 1, 2000," Minsley said. "What this exercise will address is our readiness to respond to a loss of power to the system."

Power will be cut to each of the city's 21 pumping stations located throughout the city, and then each will be switched over to generator power.

"Residents and businesses on the city's water system should experience no interruption of service," Minsley said.

The possibility of Y2K problems is "remote," he said, mainly because the city has repeatedly tested the water system. The most recent test was conducted about two weeks ago, when the entire system was run manually for 24 hours instead of by computer.

TOM HAROLDSON can be reached at 324-9340.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@Tminus60&counting.down), November 02, 1999

Answers

Finally...after all these months. The article I have been waiting for.

It is not what is in the article that has me so excited, it is what is not here.

There is no obligitory paragraph that explains the Y2k problem. The author of this article (and his editor) has decided that the reader already understands the nature of the problem. I never would have guessed that I would have to wait until 60 days out to finally read it.

I know it's only a local paper, but this is significant.

-- semper paratus (always@ready.now), November 02, 1999.

Looks like they are doing the right things. 24 hours is better than no test at all.

A friend of mine at our city's water department is putting in an above ground pool.

-- the Virginian (1@1.com), November 02, 1999.

However, we do NOT have generators to run the sewer system.......

A member of our Kalamazoo Prep group's husband works for Kalamazoo water and sewer. They decided to pass on the expense of the generator for the sewage treatment plant.

bottom line: Water restrictions within a very few hours........ If the power goes off.

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 03, 1999.