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Williston votes to discontinue city water service to Trenton Water Users Association after failed pressure tests
Summary
Williston commissioners voted 4‑0 June 11 to discontinue the city’s service line to the Trenton Water Users Association after a third‑party pressure test showed the transmission line lost pressure in about 24–26 seconds; the city will coordinate third‑party service and negotiate hookup fees for the main line.
City of Williston commissioners voted unanimously June 11 to discontinue the municipal service line that supplies the Trenton Water Users Association after third‑party testing showed rapid pressure loss in an aging transmission line.
City Engineer David Juma briefed the board on a June 8 test by the North Dakota Rural Water Association, conducted by Ward Heidbreder. Testers isolated the reservoir and plant from the line, exercised isolation valves and used pumps to pressurize the line. "After pumping for another ten minutes, the pressure in the line still had not increased," Juma reported, and when isolation valves were closed the line "bled off pressure in 24 to 26 seconds." Based on the pressure behavior and readings, Juma said the leak is likely near the reservoir. He noted the line was installed in 1959 and is roughly 65 years old; staff said the material’s average service life is about 60 years.
Following the briefing, Commissioner Deanette Piesik moved, and Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk seconded, a motion "to discontinue the service line due to failed pressure tests and the failure of the infrastructure." The motion carried 4‑0. The commission directed staff to contact the Trenton Water Users Association and other necessary parties to set a date to transition to service provided by a third party. Mayor Howard Klug clarified that any hookup fee discussed refers to a connection to the new main line feeding the system, not to individual customer hookups.
The decision does not include a detailed timeline for transfer or identify the third‑party provider; the city said it will negotiate in good faith on hookup fees and work with the Trenton association to ensure uninterrupted service. The commission moved into and returned from an earlier executive session for attorney consultation before taking the public action.
Next steps identified at the meeting: city staff will notify the Trenton Water Users Association and coordinate the technical and contractual steps needed to shift service. No vote to authorize specific repairs or a capital replacement was recorded at the June 11 meeting.
