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Aberdeen plant operator says turbidity spike was equipment failure; outside engineer to investigate
Summary
City staff reported a February turbidity spike at the municipal water plant that exceeded state reporting thresholds; staff say the likely cause was a pump/chemical-feed-line failure (turbidity measured at 0.27), that the water remained safe, and that a regional water-treatment engineer will re-evaluate the system and train staff.
Deputy Mayor Johnson called on Jim Ackerman, the city's water treatment plant director, after city staff sent a public notice about a turbidity spike in February. Ackerman told the council the plant experienced an equipment failure and staff replaced the pump and addressed the chemical-feed line.
"It was a equipment failure that we had at the water plant. We took care of that," Ackerman said, adding he was not completely satisfied with the initial explanation and had requested further outside review.
Ackerman said the turbidity reading reached 0.27; state rules require public notification at readings above 0.10. "Turbidity on its own really doesn't have any health effects," Ackerman said, noting that a more severe contamination would have triggered a boil-water order. He described the 0.27 reading as detectable by equipment, not by visual inspection.
City Manager Dave McNeil said the city brought in a regional consultant, Dr. Delvin DeBoer, who previously assisted the plant after a 2024 spike. McNeil said the city expects DeBoer back in early April to "re-evaluate what happened, help Jim and his team kind of work through that," and provide training. McNeil also said Banner Associates is reviewing piping to identify potential issues.
Ackerman described cleanup and monitoring steps already taken and said the city is continuing an in-depth review to determine the root cause: "We're going to try to avoid having this issue again in the future." Council members encouraged continued investment and oversight of the water system and praised plant staff for their ongoing work.
The council was told the city mailed the public notice to meet state reporting requirements; officials emphasized the spike did not trigger a boil-water order and that staff are pursuing further evaluation and training.
The council adjourned to an executive session later in the evening for legal consultation; no further public action on the water item was recorded.
