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Horseheads reports Well One offline, fluoride removed; SRBC satisfied with progress, grant window opens
Summary
Village staff reported taking Well One offline and removing fluoride due to co-location concerns, committing to spill containment for Well Five and discussing options for Well Two. SRBC staff said they are satisfied with demonstrated progress and a new grant window opens Nov. 1 for water projects.
During the Oct. 16 Board of Trustees meeting the village provided a detailed update on its water system deficiencies, operational changes and near-term funding plans.
Village manager Nate told trustees that Well One has been taken completely offline and the fluoride feed removed because fluoride and chlorine were located in the same room, a condition that did not meet regulatory separation expectations. "We have taken Well One completely offline. So, our water system is only running on Well Five and the filter plant as well as Well Two," he said. Nate added that if the village needs to use Well One in an emergency, it will seek health-department approval before returning fluoride to service.
For Well Five the board agreed to procure spill-containment platforms (described as 5-inch waffle-top platforms) and target installation by Nov. 8, pending procurement and delivery. Well Two presents a larger scope: staff said building a permanent separation may require raising the exterior threshold and additional construction or alternatively lining the interior to avoid trip hazards. Cost estimates discussed ranged from roughly $2,000 (platforms) to about $20,000 for more substantial structural work.
Later in the day the village met with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) compliance team. Staff reported SRBC was pleased with the village's efforts to reduce unaccounted-for water and that the agency is monitoring quarterly reporting tied to the village's 15-year permit. SRBC asked about budgeted leak-detection and repair funds; village staff said funding and labor constraints are the central challenges.
Staff emphasized a new grant opportunity opening Nov. 1 and closing Jan. 26 and said the village is identifying at least three projects to submit either as a single application or multiple separate proposals. Nate said the village will take SRBC guidance on whether to bundle projects or pursue multiple applications.
Trustees asked about recent valve work on the main (Mil Street); staff reported one of three 10-inch valves has been installed and two remain on order. After installation, staff will perform pressure tests to determine the volume of losses.
Next steps: procurement for spill-containment platforms, continued SRBC reporting, and decisions on grant-application strategy once projects are finalized.
