Residents who expressed concern about the frequency of operation for the Fountain may have noticed over the last week or so the town’s landmark is operating again with near normalcy.

In fact, the new control system is allowing the Fountain to operate even more frequently than it did previously.

Earlier this year the town was notified that the Fountain was operating in violation of its permit by allowing the effluent from the lake blow outside park boundaries when the wind came up.

To address this concern the town reduced the sensitivity of the wind gauge that cut the operation when breezes reached or exceeded 12 miles per hour. The sensitivity was reduced to six miles per hour, which resulted in a near complete cessation of regular operation.

Following complaints about the Fountain not operating, the town sought to address the problem. Work was completed on a system that will allow the Fountain to operate on one or two pumps depending on the wind speed.

Town Parks Supervisor Kevin Snipes said the dual control is set at eight miles per hour and 15 miles per hour. When the wind is blowing at eight or less the Fountain will operate on two pumps and rise to 330 feet.

If the wind speed exceeds the eight miles per hour, but not 15, it will operate on just one pump to 170 feet in height. In either scenario the spray is kept well within the confines of the Fountain Park area.

If the wind is exceeding 15 miles per hour the Fountain shuts down. If a gust kicks up while the Fountain is running and causes it to shut off, it will not return until the next hour.

Snipes said Geucher Electric did the work on the installation of the equipment and programming.

“People noticed almost immediately once we had things working again,” Snipes said. “They were really appreciative we got it figured out.

“This will allow for more people who come to see the Fountain to actually see it operating – maybe not as high as they like, but there is not the disappointment of waiting and not seeing it go up.”

Snipes said another improvement the park implemented earlier this year seems to be working as hoped.

The enhanced aeration system went into operation before the summer heat. The increased number of aerators circulates all the water in the lake in just one day, where previously it took an entire week to move all the water. The result has been that odor problems have been all but eliminated.

“We have heard no complaints here in the field and there have been no calls to Town Hall either,” Snipes said. “It is working really well.”

Another step in the effort to improve conditions in Fountain Park is also about to go online, according to Snipes. They are about to begin operation of a chemical injection system to enhance the quality of the water used to irrigate the turf at Fountain Park.

Snipes said it is a system that has been in use at the Papago Park Golf Course for several years and they are extremely pleased with the result.

Snipes said if this works well in Fountain Park it may mean the town will not need to consider installation of a separate storage facility for irrigation water.