When poly tanks for the water system at Sumpter Power Plant sprung a leak, our team sprang into action.

The water system utilizes a demineralization process that removes all minerals and salts from the water used for fogging the unit. By eliminating hardness, it prevents the accumulation of deposits that can lead to an imbalance in our turbines and potentially catastrophic failures. So, while a leak seems like a small thing, it can be a big deal.

The Costly Leaking Tanks
While the leak wasn’t at a critical level, the crew began making calls about replacements.

“The tanks were fifteen years old and had been patched several times,” said Generations Manager at Sumpter Power Plat, Mike Wood. “They lived a good life, but all tanks need to be replaced eventually.”

After receiving a $150,000 bid for tanks and installation from the original OEM that first installed the tanks, the guys’ jaws dropped, the second bid of $80,000 was substantially better, but still provided some sticker shock.

That’s when Chief Plant Operator, Ken Sowards said, “Heck no (he may not have said ‘heck’). We can do this ourselves.”


Sourcing, Savings, and Safety
After extensive search and consideration, operator Ryan Solomon found two new tanks for less than half of the lowest bid. After the tanks were delivered, the Sumpter crew dusted off the telehandler (think giant yellow forklift on steroids) and strategically removed the old tanks and installed the new ones, one at a time. While you might imagine dozens of individuals on-site for the project, the Sumpter team of just five individuals seamlessly and successfully installed the tanks – all while maintaining the highest safety standards.

“You don’t ever want to get into something that puts people in danger. We had the right equipment and the right skill sets,” said Wood. “This was well within our wheelhouse, and we felt confident in everyone’s abilities.”

Rock & Roll
It’s not just the financial savings that inspired our crew. It was seeing a problem, working together to find solutions, and ultimately utilizing their skills, creativity, and go-to-it-ness to make that solution a reality.

“It’s just the mindset of all the guys I know in the field. It comes from working closely with each other and building trust,” said Sowards. “You take an idea, work it out together, and then just rock & roll.”