This is the connection point for the two submersible pumps and pump control electronics.
Lake pumps are normally operated from switches in the treatment building but the pumps can also be activated from the lake location. The panel is on the north wall. During 2021, capability was added to enable reservoir level monitoring and pump control from any internet-connected device.
A pressure gauge was added in September 2011 to allow monitoring of line pressure at that location. While the pump is running, pressure is about 140 to 150 psi. This was also used to determine the vertical height between the lake and the treatment building. One square inch of water, one foot in height has a weight of 0.434 lb. Divide the pressure on the gauge (when the pumps are not running) by 0.434 to get the height in feet. This works out to about 350 feet lift to the reservoir.
There are 2 valves available that can be used to drain down the cliff water line in emergencies and for other line maintenance. One is buried under an insulated wooden box along the path to the lake near the power pole and electric meter. The box cover will need to be dug out and a large wrench needed to operate the valve. There is also another valve inside the pump house that will drain the entire line.
Once a year the pipe from the lake to the treatment building should be flushed to remove accumulated sediment. A good time for this might be later in the fall. Instructions for this are set out below.
Open the hose valve in the treatment building where the pipe from the lake enters the building (place the hose outside first...).
Walk down towards the lake to where the drain valve is located under an insulated box near a power pole with the power meter. Remove the box and open the valve.
Continue down to the lake building and open the drain valve inside. This will release water outside the south side of the building.
Once all water has been drained down, close that drain valve and turn on one of the pumps manually (remembering to put the switch back on auto once the procedure has been completed).
Another person at the top of the cliff can monitor the water coming out of that valve. Expect some sediment. Once it runs clear, close that valve and allow some water to pump up towards the treatment building for a couple of minutes.
Repeat the drain process as above.
Once happy with what you're seeing, close all drain valves and allow water to pump up to the treatment building. Another observer there can monitor this and can even turn on both pumps manually from there. Once water starts to come out of the hose, turn the pumps off and return the system to normal. Remember to replace that insulated box on the way to the lake.