Bicknell board flags concerns about tanks and possible leak after low levels and meter failures

Board members spent a lengthy portion of the Jan. 30 work meeting reviewing the town’s water-system performance after one member presented photos showing low overflow and reported that storage tanks were half full despite substantial pumping.

Why it matters: The town’s system showed unexpectedly low tank levels while a pump apparently moved just over 1,000,000 gallons; members worried that an unlocated leak or reduced source flow could threaten summer irrigation availability and increase emergency repair costs.

A participant displayed a photo of the tank overflow area and reported the tanks held about 8–8.5 feet of water when full height is roughly 16–18 feet; earlier that day a member estimated the pump had moved just over 1,000,000 gallons while tanks were still only half full. Members discussed measured inflows (about 44 gallons per minute from the mountain — below a commonly cited ~50 gpm threshold) and noted the SCADA meter module had failed and an electronic module needed for the new meter had been on order for months. The high school swimming pool was raised as a previous point of large water loss (tens of thousands of gallons reported on meter readings).

Board members recommended continued meter/SCADA troubleshooting, targeted meter reads, and field inspections along pressurized lines to look for hidden leaks (frozen ground can conceal surfacing leaks). Staff will check meter logs and billing trends and report back; the board discussed filling one tank at a time and other operational responses while parts and repairs are scheduled.

Next steps: Staff to review recent meter readings, investigate possible leaks (including lines crossing the swamp area), and update the board when the new meter module and well-completion information are available.