Wallsburg water system: chlorine flushing, SCADA glitches and battery concerns reported

Wallsburg, Utah — Town staff reported Sept. 5 that a mapping error during water system work led to the temporary introduction of chlorinated, stagnant water into portions of the system; crews responded with hydrant flushing and targeted chlorination.

A presenter described the sequence: while crews were attempting to fill a new upper tank and operate the old tank, a mapping error and a closed valve led to chlorinated water being pushed back into the distribution system. Crews opened hydrants and added chlorine to both the upper and lower tanks to restore disinfectant levels. "We put a gallon in every night," a staff member said, and advised residents they may notice a temporary chlorine taste.

Staff also reported false alarms from the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system and said they have scheduled a technician to correct sensing and PRV (pressure-reducing valve) telemetry issues. The presenter noted he has had to manually override a PRV at times.

Separately, the group discussed that a battery backup at a pump station did not function during the recent power outage; the presenter recommended evaluating and possibly replacing battery backups.

Council members said they expect continued cutover work as the team completes remaining customer connections to the new distribution main and will communicate any necessary boil or flush advisories if water-quality testing requires them. No formal emergency order was issued.

What happens next: staff will continue chlorination and flushing, complete SCADA repairs with a contracted technician, and assess battery-backup equipment for the wells and pump stations.