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Water board outlines lead‑service‑line census and water‑tank options; funding and timeline remain unsettled
Summary
Town reports progress on EPA/state lead‑service‑line census required for public water systems and an ongoing assessment of whether to repaint or replace the town's water tank; officials said more cost estimates are expected before the board decides.
Town of Red Hook officials briefed the board on two major water‑system topics on Feb. 26: a federally prompted census of potential lead service lines and an ongoing evaluation of whether to repaint the town's water tank or replace it.
Officials said the water system serves roughly 498 active customer connections and that the town submitted an initial report in October. The board reported outreach to customers, including a request sent with water bills for customers to photograph their service entry points; that effort reduced the number of "unknown" service connections. At an earlier water‑board meeting staff reported roughly 37 unknowns; the number was lower in subsequent follow‑up work. Officials said houses built after about 1985 are unlikely to have lead service lines and have been removed from the lead‑line census.
The town is required to report findings to state and federal authorities and is coordinating with county and state agencies on methods to achieve compliance where customer response rates remain incomplete. Staff described discussions about statistical approaches the county and state have proposed to provide reasonable assurance in lieu of 100 percent owner responses; officials said they remain confident the town has no lead service lines but must complete the census for regulatory reporting.
The board also reviewed an ongoing question about the town's water tank: whether to repaint and continue maintenance or to replace the tank. Officials said painting the interior of a tank requires a supplemental water supply for affected customers while the work is done, and that repainting guarantees are typically limited (staff stated a typical interior paint life might be 10 to 12 years). New glass‑lined tanks are long‑lived on the interior and require only exterior maintenance but have a higher upfront cost. Board members said updated quotes for both options are expected in the coming weeks before the water board makes a recommendation to the town board on funding and timing.
