Knox County water administrator Jeff Pickrell warns of roughly 50% water loss; crews to inspect meters and repair collection lines

Jeff Pickrell, administrator of Knox County Water and Wastewater, told the Board of Commissioners on May 19 that the utility is experiencing ‘‘horrible’’ water loss and is producing about 600,000 gallons per day while still not yet in peak season. He said staff will conduct a physical, meter‑by‑meter survey in Apple Valley to locate broken or frozen meters and other sources of loss.

Pickrell said crews have identified and repaired five service connections that were “actually broke completely off” in the Harborview and Northridge collection system. He also reported camera inspections could not pass through some lines because of heavy root intrusion and that those segments are flagged for repair to reduce infiltration and inflow.

Why it matters: Pickrell said sustained loss of this magnitude could create production shortfalls when summer demand rises, so locating and repairing leaks is a priority. ‘‘Water loss is horrible. We're still in the 50% range,’’ he said. The utility’s approach will emphasize locating meter‑level problems that automated usage reports can miss if a meter is broken or frozen.

Pickrell gave additional operational updates: staff completed long‑overdue digester cleanings; ice‑pigging to clean four pump‑station tanks is under contract review with the prosecutor and is expected to cost about $64,000; and water‑tank inspections were complete and satisfactory. He said Ohio EPA conducted a multi‑hour sanitary survey that raised two follow‑up items (a question about a well vent and recommendations to improve valve‑exercising documentation), but inspectors were impressed with the utility’s Allmax Antero work‑order documentation.

On supply, Pickrell said new well number 7 completed a 24‑hour, 900‑gallon‑per‑minute pump test that showed strong production with minimal drawdown; analytical water‑quality results were pending. He said the utility will submit a Permit to Install (PTI) to Ohio EPA and estimated a 60–90 day review period before putting the well into service, which could delay bringing it online until next spring depending on permit timing.

Pickrell also summarized near‑term capital steps: the utility is advertising an administrative building for bid with a mandatory preconstruction meeting June 1 and a mid‑June bid opening, and it will monitor the performance of recent collection repairs through rain events and pump‑station operation. He closed by noting contractors have followed up after previous meetings offering assistance.

Next steps: staff will perform the meter survey and pursue prioritized repairs in Apple Valley, submit the PTI for well 7, and continue contract review for ice‑pigging and other capital work. The county will receive updates as those items move forward.