Utility report: water and wastewater in compliance; well levels and a major main break highlighted

Utility staff reported that both the town's water-treatment and wastewater-treatment facilities maintained required sampling compliance for January and provided operational updates on recent maintenance and monitoring.

Nut graf: The utility report outlined routine maintenance and repairs, new monitoring data from transducers installed in wells, the Marshall Street water tower returning to service, and an unplanned major water-main failure that staff said was likely caused by a construction defect in the Salamander residences. Staff described follow-up work to seek possible compensation for the lost water and confirmed ongoing planning for SCADA replacement and other capital needs.

On the water side, staff reported an average daily production rate of about 126,000 gallons for the month and a total finished volume near 3.9 million gallons. A corrosion-control repaint project and valve inspections were completed; the Marshall Street water tower was returned to service and a leaking service lateral on Chestnut Street was repaired.

On wells and monitoring, staff said transducer data collected since roughly August shows variable well levels: some wells had dropped after heavy production for the main-break recovery but have trended back up in recent days. Staff noted that well P rose from around 170 feet above the pump in earlier readings to over 250 feet above the pump, an improvement since July, and said Valley Drilling is working to evaluate dropping a pump deeper in Well 4 to increase yield.

On a significant incident, staff reported a large water-main failure on Presidents Day that released an estimated 300,000 gallons. Investigation identified a construction issue in the Salamander neighborhood — a 12-inch pipe cap not properly blocked — and staff said the developer/contractor corrected the repair to the town's satisfaction. Town staff and the manager said they will work with legal/finance staff to evaluate whether to seek reimbursement for lost water and associated costs.

Wastewater updates noted average daily discharge near 9,000 gallons and a total monthly discharge just under 3.4 million gallons; staff restored a blower with a repaired VFD drive and scheduled planned relining based on recent CCTV inspections.

Ending: Staff will return to council with scopes and cost estimates for utility capital needs — including SCADA replacement, water-main replacement, a water-capacity study and potential funding options — and will report any decision on possible reimbursement following legal/financial review.