Health department tests noise levels at local Millcreek power substation

Salt Lake County officials recently launched an investigation after local residents raised concerns about a Rocky Mountain Power substation in East Millcreek.

In November, representatives from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department sent staff to measure noise levels and do a basic inspection at the power substation, at 3480 South 2300 East, near the new Millcreek Community Center on Evergreen Avenue.

Environmental Quality Compliance Specialist James Bennett said the test results did not show violations to existing noise level standards.

“With all electrical stations, there’s a certain amount of hum coming off of the line. The hum itself [at the Millcreek substation] doesn’t exceed the maximum,” Bennett said.

The noise level testing was conducted at approximately 3 p.m. on Nov. 18.

According to information provided by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, the sound pressure levels measured between 47 and 50 dBA, the standard unit of decibel measurement.

The afternoon noise levels at the substation during testing were lower than the maximum allowed during daytime hours and also fell below the nighttime maximum limit (about 50 dBA) for residential areas.

Rocky Mountain Power is responsible to ensure that the mechanical equipment meets standards set by the Salt Lake Valley Community Noise Pollution Control Regulation.

Rocky Mountain Power Customer Service and Community Manager Alene Bentley said the substation is not being considered for an upgrade at this time because it is safely meeting the needs of power customers in the area.

“We haven’t had any [technical] issues with the substation,” Bentley said. “The transformer is loaded well below capacity.”

Bentley also said that any costs to improve the appearance of the substation would have to be approved by the Utah Public Service Commission and could mean a rate increase for power customers.

“As a regulated utility, we can’t justify additional expenditures for beautification,” Bentley said.

The station could be improved if it was determined necessary to increase reliability of service, improve safety or to add capacity to meet demands for power.

Salt Lake County Councilmember Jani Iwamoto said she requested the review of noise levels at the substation in response to constituents’ concerns.

This summer, Millcreek residents gathered signatures for a petition asking that improvements be made at the substation. The petition was circulated during the Millcreek Community Market held weekly at The Flynn Artipelago.

After the testing done in November, there are no further plans for Salt Lake Valley Health Department staff to retest for noise levels.

Bennett said that there was other existing mechanical equipment at the substation, such as large electrical fans, that were not in use during the time of the test in November.