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Public works director reports water-system and wastewater repairs, tank diving option and road and hydrant work
Summary
Director DeWitt told commissioners Aug. 25 that the county replaced a failing chlorine pump, is addressing a wastewater clog and flow-meter issues, plans tank repairs using a dive company to avoid dewatering, and that road and water-tower work continues; fire hydrant work and haying updates were also provided.
Director DeWitt reported operational progress and repairs across the county’s water and wastewater systems, road work at the tower, and maintenance activity on county land during the Carroll County Commission’s Aug. 25 meeting.
DeWitt said the county installed a new chlorine pump at the pump house after the previous unit began running inconsistently. "We put a new chlorine pump in the... The 1 we had ...just started to get very inconsistent for us. So we put a new pump in there," DeWitt said, adding staff have been dialing it in and that the system had been running more consistently during recent checks.
On wastewater, DeWitt described a clog between the jail and the grinder building that required nearly 5,000 gallons to be pumped out and the use of a jetter to clear the line. He said the clog likely resulted from items flushed at the jail and that DJ's crews addressed the problem. DeWitt also reported work on control boxes for the sewer auger and grinder, and that staff are adjusting timers to resolve intermittent auger operation.
DeWitt reported a disrupted wastewater flow meter — struck by lightning several years earlier and replaced over the winter — needed parts and service; staff have been coordinating with the state and expect service later in the week. Monthly flow reporting to the state was noted as having been communicated to state officials while repairs were pursued.
On the county water tank, DeWitt said engineers are recommending diving repairs rather than full dewatering to preserve fire protection for the nursing home. "It's looking like we're gonna go with that route... that can do about 95% of all the work that we wanted done, through diving," DeWitt said, adding this approach reduces cost and avoids leaving the tank without fire protection.
Other operations and maintenance updates included: finishing hay season and producing both square and round bales with inmate crews assisting; interior and exterior work at a treatment building; tree trimming and chipping along water-line corridors; planned lead and copper testing for the third quarter; and upcoming hydrant installation work. DeWitt invited commissioners to tour facilities as work continues.
DeWitt answered commissioner questions about timing for the tower road improvements and said FEMA funds had previously assisted with mountain road repairs; he said finishing work on culverts, ditching and gravel placement was expected shortly.
Ending Commissioners offered no additional questions and thanked DeWitt for the operational update; staff will follow up on the flow-meter repair and the timeline for hydrant and tank work.
