Board reviews consumer confidence report after one bad sample; members discuss fire-hydrant metering

Board members reviewed the city's consumer confidence report and addressed a single coliform-positive result that appeared in this year's report. Staff explained that an initial sample was flagged as a bad sample and, rather than call the utility, the laboratory forwarded it to the state. Once the state had the sample, rules required the city to sample all sources; follow-up tests at the original source and at all sources produced negative results.

Staff said the event appears to have been a bad sample tap rather than a system contamination. Rural water staff reportedly told the city that the sample probably should not have been reported, but state reporting rules required the inclusion in the consumer confidence report once forwarded to the state. Board members emphasized the city will communicate the follow-up negative results to reduce public concern.

Separately, a board member raised a concern about a fire hydrant meter in a new subdivision that appeared not to be registering despite an active 2-inch line filling a basement. Staff described known issues with some portable hydrant meters (registers can be damaged in transit or fail) and said the city receives monthly photo readings from the contractor that operates the meters. Staff said when meter readings repeat for multiple months they question whether the meter is functioning and coordinate testing or replacement, and that customers can be charged for unrecorded usage after meters are corrected.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue to monitor meter performance and to ensure the consumer-confidence report and follow-up testing are clearly communicated to residents.