SAQs
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.
In the paragraph below there are gaps for words. Insert the appropriate word from those listed here:
asset register; assets; criticality; life-cycle cost; operation and maintenance manual; regular maintenance; resilient; stakeholders; standardisation; standard operating procedures.
A water supply scheme is being planned in a town. Different groups of people, referred to as ………………, who will be affected by the scheme, are called for a meeting. Their main worry is that floods will affect the new treatment plant but the Planning Engineer assures them the plant will be ……………… They are also worried about costs and whether decisions will be made objectively. The Finance Manager at the water utility tells them they use a technique based on ……………… that will help them make the right choice. The equipment and buildings, often referred to as ………………, will be well looked after through ……………… The frequency of maintenance will be decided by considering the ……………… of each asset. For the benefit of new members of staff, full details of all the assets are kept in the ……………… New plant operators and technicians will have the ……………… available to guide them in the ……………… of the water supply system. Within it are ……………… to use when starting up and operating equipment. A major issue is spare parts, since the town is several hours from the Region’s capital. Again, this has been considered – the water utility has opted for ……………… of all its equipment and parts to make stock keeping and maintenance much easier, thus ensuring continuity of water supply.
Here is the completed paragraph.
A water supply scheme is being planned in a town. Different groups of people, referred to as stakeholders, who will be affected by the scheme, are called for a meeting. Their main worry is that floods will affect the new treatment plant, but the Planning Engineer assures them the plant will be resilient. They are also worried about costs and whether decisions will be made objectively. The Finance Manager at the water utility tells them they use a technique based on life-cycle cost that will help them make the right choice. The equipment and buildings, often referred to as assets, will be well looked after through regular maintenance. The frequency of maintenance will be decided by considering the criticality of each asset. For the benefit of new members of staff, full details of all the assets are kept in the asset register. New plant operators and technicians will have the operation and maintenance manual available to guide them in the operation of the water supply system. Within it are standard operating procedures to use when starting up and operating equipment. A major issue is spare parts, since the town is several hours from the Region’s capital. Again, this has been considered – the water utility has opted for standardisation of all its equipment and parts to make stock-keeping and maintenance much easier, thus helping to ensure continuity of water supply.
Put the names of the Departments alongside the following water utility activities.
| Activity | Department responsible |
| Interviewing candidates for the role of operator | |
| Distributing information on how customers can reduce their water consumption and save money | |
| Repairing a sewer pipe that has been broken by a developer digging a trench to lay telephone cables | |
| Checking that the water that goes to the consumers is safe | |
| Making sure that the water supply is continuous | |
| Helping Ayinabeba, a new customer, to process the paperwork for water supply at her house | |
| Sending water bills out to customers |
| Activity | Department responsible |
Interviewing candidates for the role of operator |
Human Resources Management |
| Distributing information on how customers can reduce their water consumption and save money | Corporate Affairs |
| Repairing a sewer pipe that has been broken by a developer digging a trench to lay telephone cables | Sewerage |
| Checking that the water that goes to the consumers is safe | Water Quality Assurance |
| Making sure that the water supply is continuous | Operation and Maintenance |
| Helping Ayinabeba, a new customer, to process the paperwork for water supply at her house | Commercial and Customer Care |
| Sending water bills out to customers | Finance |
Which of the following is not the duty of an operator at a water utility?
- Checking that the inflow to the treatment plant matches water demand.
- Monitoring the various water treatment operations for efficiency.
- Planning for the increased demand of water due to population growth.
- Measuring the residual chlorine level of the treated water leaving the plant.
- Making sure there’s an adequate stock of water treatment chemicals on site.
- Ensuring that wastes from the plant are properly disposed of.
The answer is 3). Planning for increased demand of water is done by the Planning Department.
Distinguish between the two types of maintenance at a water utility and give reasons why one of them is better.
The two types of maintenance are breakdown maintenance and preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is better because it helps prevent breakdowns and ensures that the assets can be used until the end of their service life. By undertaking preventive maintenance, crises – which are costly – can be avoided.
How should electrical equipment be protected from floodwaters?
All electrical equipment should be installed at a height that the floodwaters are unlikely to reach.