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Malden says recent water tests are clear but chlorine-distribution problems remain; city seeks engineer
Summary
City Administrator Ivone Smith told the council that recent samples — including an area that had tested positive for E. coli — came back clean, but the city is still experiencing uneven chlorine distribution and has authorized steps including new line work and an RFQ for a water engineer.
City Administrator and Utility Director Ivone Smith told the Malden City Council on Oct. 20 that recent water samples, including in an area that previously tested positive for E. coli, returned clear results. "We had some water samples taken last week and they came back clean," Smith said, adding that the area that had E. coli "came back good as well so right now we are good for another month."
Smith said the city remains concerned about distributing chlorine evenly across the system. "We are still having issues with our chlorine being distributed throughout the town," she said, and described ongoing field work to improve flow: the water department is laying new lines on the airbase to create a loop, a change recommended by the Department of Natural Resources.
At a Special Called BPW (Board of Public Works) meeting on Oct. 7, the board approved moving forward with a request for qualifications to hire a water engineer to evaluate the system, Smith said. The engineer’s scope is expected to include recommendations for improving chlorine distribution and assessing how to address manganese and iron in the wells.
The council was given the update as informational; no vote was required. Council members asked staff to continue providing status reports as the RFQ process moves forward and as engineers assess potential capital work and timelines.
