Sanitary‑survey finds minor deficiencies; council to consider state model backflow ordinance

Connor, a utility staff member, presented the results of the town’s 2026 sanitary survey and summarized several largely minor deficiencies: old equipment left in a well house, an air‑release valve on well six that lacked a screen, a raw inlet pipe showing rust and a patched tower leg that has since been filled. Connor said many items were addressed quickly, some parts were ordered, and staff adopted a contingency plan required by regulators.

"Some of the deficiencies they found, which were minor, was wells house five had some old equipment in there...the air release valve on well six itself did not have a screen on it. So, we went ahead and ordered 24 mesh and put that on there," Connor reported.

Connor also stated that an inspector had added a couple of items to the deficiency list in a way that could help the town’s funding application for a larger project; Connor said the additions were intended to highlight need when applying for assistance.

The council reviewed a draft of Ordinance 20‑26‑03, a state model cross‑connection and backflow prevention ordinance that the clerk said many taxing units are adopting to meet state requirements. The ordinance would require backflow prevention assemblies for new commercial or industrial water connections, annual certified testing by a licensed tester, and recordkeeping. Council members discussed whether certain residential situations — for example homes using wells or cisterns connected to internal plumbing — could trigger requirements.

No final action was taken on the ordinance at the meeting; members agreed to return the draft for additional review next month. The sanitary‑survey report and the proposed ordinance will be on a future agenda for formal consideration.