Northcliffe

NORTHCLIFFE UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC SERVICE UPGRADE

Nov 28, 2003

Northcliffe Subdivision customers served by New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) will be benefiting from major investments in their underground electric system over the next two to three years. In excess of $600,000 will be dedicated toward the project, which is designed to ensure continued reliable service for homeowners.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2004 and consists of upgrading underground residential distribution (URD) facilities serving homes between Wimbledon Drive and Foxbriar Lane, and homes between Foxbriar lane and Columbia Drive. Future phases will include the upgrade of URD facilities serving homes between Charleston Drive and Columbia Drive, and homes on the south side of Wimbledon Drive.

The project represents a proactive move by NBU with regard to the current Northcliffe URD facilities. Originally installed in 1977, the URD was directly buried as unprotected underground primary cables. This was common utility practice at the time, but it presents problems with maintenance and repair because of the inability to replace cable and the fact that the bare concentric copper neutral is in direct contact with the earth and is subject to corrosion over time. Secondary cable is also direct buried as part of the Northcliffe URD facility. Repairing or replacing sections of either the primary or secondary electric cable with minimal outages to customers is not an option due to the installation conditions.

NBU addressed an insulation issue in 1996 when the primary cable was injected with a CableCureTM product to extend the useful life of the cable insulation. This product is now nearing its projected life expectancy of 10 years. The corrosion of the cable has also become an increasing concern. Testing in 1996 indicated several areas of 26% to 50% neutral corrosion with continued deterioration since that time.

Given the condition of the cable and the desire to proactively address the situation, NBU believes that now is an appropriate time to upgrade the URD and address the problems associated with the original installation in order to prevent major outages or reliability issues in the future.

The plan calls for a new system to be constructed next to the existing system. This should help minimize the duration of any outages that may be necessary during the project. New conduit, transformer pads, transformers, secondary pull boxes and primary and secondary cables will be installed. Concentric neutrals will also be protected inside a ?“jacket?” to minimize the corrosion factor.

The typical easement is a 16?’ wide platted utility easement, termed a ?“back to back?” easement, with 8?’ on either side of the rear property line. In preparing for this project, we have discovered that several property owners have encroached into utility easement with various types of structures. Future title searches for property sales will indicate these encroachments, and since NBU will be unable to accept these encroachments into the utility easement, now may be the best time for a homeowner to rectify these situations. We are asking that homeowners relocate any moveable structures from the easement prior to the start of the URD upgrading project. If you are unsure about the location of the easements, we can provide you with that information. Please contact our New Construction Division at 608-8816 and a representative will assist you in locating the easement.

If it is determined that the structure cannot be relocated for some reason, we will attempt to install the new URD under or around the structure. Again, this should not be interpreted as an acceptance or approval of the encroachment by the utility. Reasonable efforts to protect structures and vegetation will be made, but damage may be unavoidable if the item rests in the utility easement. If this is the case, NBU will not be responsible for any damage to structures or vegetation caused by our crews or contractors in the utility easement.

In most instances, property is fenced across the utility easement. If we are unable to access the easement from the street, removal of the fence may become necessary. We will certainly contact the homeowner to allow time for them to make arrangements regarding outdoor pets. While we cannot be held responsible for damage during the removal or reinstallation of a fence, our crews and contractors will conduct this activity to the best of their ability. If you would prefer a professional fencing company handle this activity, NBU will be glad to work with that company to coordinate schedules. We ask that you contact the Electric Engineering Division at 629-8428 to advise us of that preference and provide our representative with a contact name and phone number.

We are excited about the project and believe it offers great potential for enhancing service and reliability for our Northcliffe customers. While the construction phase will pose some inconveniences at times, our intent is to keep this to a minimum and work with homeowners in every possible way to meet their needs while moving forward with the project. NBU electric personnel will be available at the November Northcliffe Homeowners Association Meeting to address any concerns and answer questions.