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County water department briefs commissioners on chemical change, brown‑water complaints and pump needs
Summary
Water department staff and consultants reported switching phosphate chemistry and ongoing adjustments; consultants said feed rates will be reduced to about 4–6 gpd, roughly five pumps may need replacement, and intermittent brown water may continue as lines are flushed over coming weeks.
County water staff and chemical‑treatment consultants updated the board on a recent switch in phosphate chemistry and the county's response to brown‑water complaints.
The county recently changed from 100% polyphosphate to a 90/10 ortho/polyphosphate blend. Consultant John Walsh, introduced by staff as a phosphate specialist with multi‑decade experience, told the board the change requires careful tuning of feed rates and that improvements will emerge over several weeks. "This is a process where we'll start to see improvements over the next 6 weeks," Walsh said. He described damage left by the previous supplier and said the county must undo distribution impacts before results stabilize.
Water staff reported the consultant's recommended feed rates are about 4–6 gallons per day for the county's phosphate pumps, while several pumps have much higher capacity (~30 gpd). That mismatch means the county will likely replace approximately five pumps and continue flushing the system. Staff said they will begin requesting monthly printouts of brown‑water complaints (previously quarterly) and expect to present findings around mid‑March or April.
Commissioners were told intermittent brown water could occur as flow directions change and tuberculation and sediment are mobilized during adjustments or when wells cycle off and back on. Staff recommended customer‑side flushing as a first step: run cold taps for about 10 minutes and allow lines to circulate three times before reporting persistent discoloration.
Consultants and staff asked for patience while the distribution system is adjusted and committed to continuing outreach and corrective steps. The board thanked the water team for the work and noted that customers in specific areas (e.g., Brighton Road, Lisbon/Rosendale service areas) reported recurring issues.
