Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Systems topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trenton staff outline water-system repairs, reservoir work and meter-replacement grant
Summary
Water staff reported recent leak repairs, a proposal to replace aging meters through a rural-water grant (estimated near $95,000–$100,000 for meters and installation), SCADA and chlorine-pump fixes, and plans to clean a newer reservoir; council was asked to approve paperwork and asked staff to return with details next month.
Water and parks staff reported multiple operational items and capital needs during the meeting. An unidentified water staff speaker (labeled Speaker 6 in the transcript) described recent repairs to leaks and meter installs and said many existing Badger meters have exceeded their life expectancy. He said the town is applying for a rural-water grant/loan-forgiveness program to replace meters and equip them for cellular readout.
Speaker 6 said vendor quotes and grant paperwork are in process and cited an estimated total cost for meters and installation "around a 100,000" (discussion ranged from about $95,000 to $100,000 in transcript remarks). He described Neptune meters as able to connect with multiple cellular providers and contrasted that with a Badger option that would have narrower carrier options.
Staff emphasized timing: grant materials need to be submitted by November to be considered at a January meeting, and the speaker said a moratorium on grant funding is expected in January, making the November submission deadline important. "So we got the information back to them by November, the November, and that way we get on the meeting for January," the speaker said.
Technical operations updates included SCADA support from an engineer who has been providing more detailed daily-usage data, replacement of a failed chlorine pump (cost cited at about $1,300), battery replacements and work to restore lights in the interconnect/chlorine shed, and scheduling to clean a newer reservoir. Staff also discussed testing and possibly reconfiguring the generator so it could support the fire station in an emergency.
Speaker 6 also estimated current flows and seasonal variation: "we're dumping a 185 to 200,000 gallons," noting daily variation by season and sprinkler use. The council requested follow-up information and directed staff to return with vendor comparisons, final grant paperwork and a recommended option next month.
No formal grant acceptance or contract award was made at this meeting; the discussion focused on vendor selection, grant timeline and operational repairs.
