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Local utility warns spotty cellular coverage hampers water and sewer telemetry
Summary
Jason White of Olympic Water and Sewer told the session that the utility relies on cellular telemetry for alarms and remote operation of treatment and lift stations, and that improved coverage would aid emergency response.
Jason White, representing Olympic Water and Sewer, told the meeting that the utility depends on cellular telemetry for alarms, remote control of wells and lift stations, and for receiving nighttime alerts.
"All of the antennas at your critical locations are cellular antennas," Jason White (speaker 6) said. "We rely on cellular service for emergencies at the wastewater treatment plant and all of our sewer collection lift stations, and your drinking water wells." He added that spotty service in the Port Ludlow area limits the utility's ability to remotely monitor and respond to system alarms.
Why it matters: utilities use wireless telemetry for real-time monitoring and to dispatch crews; prolonged outages or inadequate coverage can slow responses to failing pumps or water-quality alarms. White and residents urged that resilience and generator capacity be considered in any conditions attached to the permit.
