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Wallsburg water system: chlorine treatment, tank mapping errors and SCADA problems prompt repairs
Summary
Council heard that mapping errors during a pipeline cutover caused treated water to be drawn back into the system; crews flushed and chlorinated lines, and staff reported ongoing SCADA false alarms and possible battery-backup replacement.
The Wallsburg Town Council on Sept. 5 received an update on recent water-system problems that left parts of the distribution system smelling and tasting of chlorine and prompted emergency flushing.
Troy Thompson, who manages water operations, described a mapping error and valve mis-identification during work connecting a new tank that allowed chlorinated, stagnant water to be drawn into the distribution system. "What they did was ... they pushed all that stagnant water that was chlorinated ... and that sucked everything back into the system," Thompson said. He said crews opened hydrants and circulated chlorine through the upper and lower tanks and distribution mains and that staff are dosing at the target concentration (roughly 1 part per million) to clear the odor and taste.
Thompson warned residents they may taste or smell chlorine briefly while crews continue treatment. "You're gonna taste a little bit of chlorine for a little bit," he said, but added the water is safe to drink while crews continue flushing.
Thompson also reported that the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system was producing false alarms and that he had asked a technician, Chris Scott, to come repair it. "The SCADA system needs some attention. It keeps giving me false alarms ... so you've we're gonna get a bill from Chris Scott," Thompson said.
Councilmembers also discussed the access road to the water site and whether additional base material is necessary. Thompson recommended against placing more base on a section that had been ground up and compacted, saying the material would likely wash out.
There was no formal action; council members asked staff to continue treatment and to report back when the SCADA repairs and any needed battery-backup replacements are complete.
