EARLVILLE – The Village of Earlville has had a problem with their water system for years. Wednesday night, the village held a town hall meeting to discuss the results of an engineering study and the possible solutions to the problems.
Senior Project Engineer Brian J. Skidmore, from the Barton & Loguidice Engineering Firm in Syracuse explained the details of the engineering study. Skidmore pointed out issues with the water system, possible solutions and what the cost would be to village residents.
“We have significant issues with discolored water and a big problem with hydrant flows, especially in the far reaches of the village,” said Skidmore. He explained that both issues are more than likely caused by a build-up of mineral deposits in the pipes that transport the water to the village residents. “Ninety percent of the water mains are the original, unlined, cast iron pipe from 1929,” said Skidmore. He explained that a number of factors had led to the problem of the brown water and poor hydrant flow, including the corrosion of the pipes caused by the addition of the chlorine, mineral deposits from iron and manganese reacting to the chlorine and causing the tuberculation in the pipes. The overall result of these factors has caused the originally four inch four inch pipes to have a diameter of only two to two and a half inches.
According to Skidmore, there are several other issues with the water system. Well heads that were not properly sealed when electrical conduits were terminated have left openings with the potential of allowing animals and insects to enter the water system. The system is equipped with a transfer switch to allow the village to switch from the typical energy source to a generator in the event of a prolonged power outage, but no generator receptacle has yet been found. In addition, Skidmore pointed out problems in the water treatment building and the piping leading from the building to the first house. Skidmore recommended that the treatment building receive a better ventilation system, a containment system, in the event the chlorine tank springs a leak, an additional chlorine pump, to give the system some redundancy, and repairs to piping inside the building to prevent corrosion. He also recommended adding an additional 140 foot piping loop to the system to increase the amount of time it takes for the water to get to the first tap. This allows more time for the chlorine to react to mix with the water and kill bacteria that it may contain.
Skidmore found major issues with the water storage tank. The tank was built in 1957 and has evidence of rust coming through the coating. Weathering of the foundation has caused the rebar to become exposed and the steel in the foundation to rust. “Steel is the strength of the foundation. When it begins to rust, the strength is compromised,” Skidmore said. There are also issues with the length of the tank ladder, which only extends approximately half way down the tank, and the overflow pipe, which currently extends a small distance from the storage tank, current codes require the pipe to extend to the ground and have an outlet channel. Other changes have to be made, including the addition of a chain link fence, topped with barbed wire to bring the site up to code. The access road will also need to be improved. A new valve and more secure tank access would also be needed.
Skidmore said the replacement of the transmission main, leading from the tank to the distribution center could be an optional replacement. “We believe the transmission main is constructed of asbestos cement pipe,” said Skidmore. He stressed the fact that asbestos is only harmful when inhaled and there are no documented health risks associated with water flowing through it. Potential problems may result if the pipe breaks or leaks or if the village needs to make a connection to the pipe.
Skidmore gave the village recommendations with three possible project alternatives. All of the plans include the repairs to the wellheads, the addition of the generator receptacle, repairs to the treatment plant include the addition of the back up chemical pump and containment, better ventilation, the insulation of the interior pipe, the addition of the 140 foot piping loop. Changes to the distribution system include the replacement of all of the cast iron pipe with eight inch cement-lined ductile iron pipe and the replacement of services from the water main to the front of private property.
The first alternative also calls for repairs to the water tank, including re-coating the tank’s interior and exterior, repairing the foundation, extending the ladder and overflow pipe, removing the old valve and repairing the valve vault, adding the fencing and improving the access road. The repairs are estimated to last for 15 to 20 years, at which time, Skidmore assumes the replacement of the tank would be necessary. The cost is estimated to be $2,464,000.
The second alternative calls for the replacement of the old water tank with a glass fused to steel tank. The fence and access road repairs would still be necessary. The replacement tank is estimated to last for a minimum of 40 years. The cost would be $2,706,000.
The third alternative includes everything in alternative two and adds the replacement of the asbestos cement tank transmission line, at an estimated cost of $3,025,000.
Skidmore explained some grant funding and low interest loan options. He estimated that without any grant funding the annual water cost for a typical household would be $620 for alternative one, $639 for alternative two, and $685 with alternative three.
Many village residents were concerned about the potential health risks associated with drinking the current brown and discolored water. “In the data that I’ve seen, the brown water passed department of health standards,” said Skidmore.
Village Mayor Toni Campbell told the residents that funding sources were being investigated. “The village has a responsibility to residents to go out and get grants to bring the price down.” Village residents will have an opportunity to vote on a referendum including the three options at a later date.