Background
January 2nd was an ordinary day. Most businesses were closed
celebrating the New Year’s holiday. The weather was unseasonably
warm. Then, unexpectedly, Mother Nature struck—literally—with a
Thunder and Lightning storm throughout the Midwest—IN JANUARY!

Challenge
The lightning created big problems for the Village of Union Grove, WI.
Lightning struck near the village’s elevated water tower and it proceeded
to knock out their Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Power Supply,
and Electric Fence at well No. 3. The alarm dialing software that B&W
Control Systems Integration had installed began calling the Village’s
officer on call at approximately 7:00 a.m., citing a Well Pump Failure
and PLC Communications Failure.

Solution
Mark Osmundsen, the Village’s Director of Utilities, placed a call to
BWCSI’s 24 hour emergency number and BWCSI promptly returned the
call. Within 1 hour, two BWCSI employees were on the case helping to
get the well back up and running. They arrived on site and began to
troubleshoot the PLC and other critical electrical components. They
determined that the PLC had sustained permanent damage by the storm
and would need to be replaced.

Results
The PLC was replaced and by the end of the day, the well was up and
running. All the necessary calls had been made to order any replacement
parts for those damaged during the strike.

When challenges happen, you need a prompt, reliable
response. BWCSI prides itself on being accessible to its
clients at all times—especially in emergency situations.