MLGW Strengthens System Against Potential Earthquake Damage

The devastation brought on by the massive earthquake in Japan has increased both awareness and concern of earthquake preparedness across the globe. The subject is especially relevant to Shelby County residents, given the region’s proximity to the New Madrid fault and the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.

For the past several years, MLGW has taken a leading role in local earthquake preparation through its proactive seismic retrofitting efforts. Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes. In addition, MLGW's safety meetings in March focused on earthquake safety.

To illustrate MLGW's efforts as a company, MLGW has produced a series of videos entitled “Structurally Sound,” that highlight the utility’s efforts to brace its system against earthquake damage. The videos can be seen on MLGW’s Youtube channel. Customers can also request to have a DVD mailed to their home or business by contacting MLGW at 528-4557 or e-mailing corpcomm@mlgw.org.

Since 1990, MLGW has spent nearly $81 million on seismic mitigation projects:
Some of these improvements include:

• Improvements to water facilities include retrofits at four pumping stations to include aerator, filter, and pump buildings.

• Installation of reservoir-mounted high service pumps at three pumping stations to negate the effect of building collapse hazards on transmission or pumping capabilities.

• Emergency generators have been installed at six water pumping stations, with a second backup generator project currently nearing completion.

• Anchoring of transformers and other equipment at electric substations and other areas.

• Securing a total of $6 million in FEMA grants.

• Replacing older cast iron gas mains with polyethylene, which is more flexible and reliable.

• Relocating critical areas such as the Customer Care Center, Commercial Resource Center and Information Technology from the Administration Building to MLGW’s Netters Business Center location on Whitten Road for business continuity.

• Retrofitting of truck canopies at work centers to prevent damage to parked crew trucks.