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Water Works reports progress on Lake Mesa conversion and addresses turbidity at Meramec River plant
Summary
Staff reported concrete and equipment work at the Lake Mesa high‑service station conversion, proposals received for an admin building renovation, a pending raw‑water pump replacement, and a turbidity issue at the Meramec River plant that staff plan to address by dewatering the caisson in early March.
Water Works staff told the Manchester Water Works Board of Water Commissioners on Jan. 23 that several treatment‑plant projects are progressing and that crews are addressing elevated filter fouling at the Meramec River plant.
At the Lake Mesa high‑service station conversion for the chlorine dioxide process, staff reported that the concrete slab has achieved greater than design strength, subcontractors are preparing equipment pads and containment walls, the sprinkler system is about 95% complete and two large bulk chemical tanks (roughly 10 feet in diameter and about 11–12 feet tall) are scheduled for placement in March after pads cure. Completion of concrete work is expected in March, staff said.
The department received proposals for renovation of the administration building at the water treatment plant; interviews of proposers were scheduled after the meeting and staff said they would brief the board in nonpublic on the procurement process. A vendor is awaiting parts before scheduling the raw‑water pump replacement; staff said the pump project is expected to move forward in February once parts arrive.
Staff reported increased filter fouling at higher flows at the new Meramec River plant. They said the issue increases the frequency of filter backwash but does not affect treated water quality: "The water quality coming out of the plant is phenomenal. It's... excellent," said Dave, a water treatment staff member who briefed the board. Staff contracted a vendor to dewater, clean and disinfect the caisson; that work is tentatively scheduled for the first week in March.
Board members asked about filter media wear. Dave said crews had measured media depth in the four green‑sand filters and found only a modest loss — "within maybe a loss of 1 or 2 inches" of anthracite out of a 12‑inch bed — so media depletion does not appear to explain the fouling. Staff said they will continue to investigate and monitor performance after the caisson cleaning.
Beyond the plant work, staff discussed ongoing maintenance and scheduled spring construction, noting that distribution paving costs were lower than budgeted and that operating revenue was running ahead of the previous year due in part to weather and higher consumption.
No formal votes were taken on the capital projects during the meeting; staff sought the board's guidance primarily through informational updates and procurement steps that will return for board action when formal contracts or awards are ready.
