Manganese detection elevates Western well project; EPA/DEM design support moves project forward
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Summary
A manganese-related no-drink order at Western prompted state and federal design funding and placed the project as a high priority. Staff said design funds are in place and that the work will replace plumbing, evaluate tanks, and add a generator; bottled water has been supplied during the interim.
Staff told the committee that the Western well project has been designated a high-priority project after manganese in well samples led to a current no-drink order at the school. That designation attracted design grant support from DEM and the Department of Health and engaged EPA funding programs intended to address drinking-water issues for schools.
Because the project now qualifies for the EPA/DEM design initiative, staff said design funding is in place and the district expects to be into the design phase; committee members estimated an overall timeline of roughly a year to move through design and begin construction, though exact schedule depends on agency approvals and grant timing.
The proposed design scope includes replacing corroded internal plumbing, evaluating and replacing the storage tank where needed, and adding a generator so the system retains pressure during power loss. Staff emphasized these will be more comprehensive fixes than prior incremental repairs and are intended to produce a full, long-term solution.
In the interim the district provides bottled water for students and staff and has closed water fountains; staff noted ongoing testing and that bottled water supply represents an ongoing operational cost. The committee discussed easement, permitting and coordination with Northeast Water, DEM and other state entities as part of the funding and approvals process.
