Water board to discuss power options for pump station

A presentation on power reliability options for the Ramona Municipal Water District’s pump station in Poway will be the focus of the district’s board meeting on April 24, said General Manager David Barnum.

District directors asked staff to look into alternative sources of power for the pump station after the massive Southern California blackout in September 2011.

The station relies on electricity to pump Ramona’s water 1,000 feet uphill from Poway. When the power goes out as it did in the blackout and during the 2007 Witch fire, the pumps do not work unless a backup generator is brought in.

Barnum said he and staff are excited about the options for redundant power that DE Solutions of Encinitas has developed, which could also lead to energy savings. Keith Davidson, president of DE Solutions, will be making the presentation, he said.

The board meets at 4:30 p.m. in Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.