Y2K and sewage RENO, NV September 1  A government report circulating on the Internet claims the Truckee Meadows may be in trouble at the turn of the century.

A navy report shows the high possibility of a utility failure. The study looks at how well those who provide our utilities, are prepared for Y2K. Renos sewer service reliability was scored particularly low. However, the Navys work is in progress and continues to change. Back in June, Naval officials reported Renos sewer service is likely to have total failure. In its latest version, released Monday, the Navy reports Renos sewer reliability has been upgraded. Now, the chance of our sewers failing is anywhere from zero to 40-percent. In a statement prefacing the Navys report the department writes: this data does not correlate with a utility providers ability to service the general public or other customers, just their level of preparedness and property vulnerability as it affects naval infrastructure. Randall Gray is the manager of wastewater treatment at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility. Its here where all sewer water for the Reno/Sparks area is treated and checked. I know for sure that the navy has not contacted anyone at this facility. That would have come to me immediately if there had been any questions and theres been none, said Gray. Gray says system analysts and electricians at this facility started addressing the Y2K problem two years ago. They looked at the facilitys treatment instruments, most are operated with timers not calendars so, and the 2000 date wont affect them. However, for instruments with calendars routine analyses are made and so far everything shows everything is on track. The process control units that do have calendars theyve already been tested and checked. We know very well what weve got out here, said Gray. The question still remains, if not here, where did the navy obtain its information on Renos sewer utility? In the departments reports it simply shows the City of Reno as its source and Reno City officials say the treatment plant is where that information would be obtained. Navy spokespeople say if officials dont have the information needed to determine a final score they might enter a higher number as a reminder their work isnt done in that city. The reason the study is receiving attention is it has been posted on a web site created by an author who is looking into all kinds of Y2K possible problems and solutions.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KRNV/36715.asp

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 02, 1999

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Reno officials deny Y2K problem report Click on our sponsors!

Updated 1:55 PM ET September 1, 1999

RENO, Nev., Sept. 1 (UPI) The man in charge of wastewater in the Reno/Sparks area says he cannot figure out why the Navy would warn area residents the sewer system is in danger of breaking down because of a Y2K glitch.

Randall Gray tells KRNV-TV no one from the Navy ever contacted him. He says Y2K preparedness has been under way for two years and tests show no potential problems.

The most recent Navy report rates the chance of a sewer system failure as zero to 40 percent. That's an improvement from a June report which said the system was likely to experience total failure.

http://news.excite.com/news/u/990901/13/us-ca-west-2-4

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 02, 1999.