Resident says century-old village water line is leaking and flooding property at 12419 Country Road

Christian Trevor Edgar told the Village of Wolcott board that recurring wetness and iron-stained water at 12419 Country Road are the result of a leak in a “114 year old” cast-iron transmission line that runs from Wagger Springs to the village’s springs plant. Edgar said he has a piece of pipe and described a patched 3/4-inch vent line that he said was later repaired; he asked the board to allow contractors to dig further to locate the main and to produce a copy of a faded “agreement” he said obliges the village to maintain the line.

Edgar: “It’s a 114 year old supply line from W Springs.” He said rust and water have been ‘‘boiling out of the ground’’ near his well and that standing water has damaged pasture and crops. He said he had well-test results on his phone and asked the board to provide records and to authorize further inspection.

Village staff acknowledged residents’ concerns but declined to accept the complainant’s interpretation that visible wetness definitively proves a main rupture. Ed Armstrong, the village’s chief operator, explained the system’s operational practice: some lines are only inspected after a rupture, the springs feed a pre-treatment holding tank and the lake plant can supply the village when springs are curtailed. Armstrong replied to a question about operator qualifications by saying, “He sure does,” when the board identified Ed as chief operator.

On testing and treatment, staff described the sequence for springs water as raw-water sampling, sock/particulate filters, ultraviolet disinfection and continuous chlorination; they said the Department of Health conducts an annual sanitary survey of the system. When Edgar said his well had tested positive for contamination, staff asked which contaminants were present and requested copies of any lab reports to review.

Board members and residents discussed options for locating leaks. Edgar said he had spoken with a private leak-detection vendor who uses acoustic listening devices and recommended infrared drone surveys in cold weather; staff acknowledged those tools and noted seasonal constraints for thermal imaging. Staff also described the village easement that provides a 15-foot strip on each side of the transmission line for access and said the village can bring outside engineers or directional-bore contractors if a replacement is required.

Edgar said he had filed a document request (he called for a FOIL/record search) and warned that, if damage continued, the matter could become civil litigation. The board said it was willing to pursue vendor inspections, review any test results Edgar provides, and continue communication with the Department of Health. No formal motion to repair or replace the transmission line was recorded in the public portion of the meeting; staff said formal repair would proceed if a rupture were confirmed.

The board recommended that residents keep well-test results and agreed to follow up with additional inspection options and records access. The meeting record shows the board and staff discussing next steps rather than reaching a final determination on cause or liability.

Next steps: Staff said they would consider outside leak-detection contractors and review records provided by Edgar. Edgar requested a copy of the agreement he referenced and said he had retained legal counsel.