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White Pine utility staff report higher water loss and enroll EPA/TDEC consultation as repairs continue
Summary
Town utility staff reported a rise in water loss to about 38–40%, completion of CMOM paperwork, four staff obtaining backflow certification, a completed bypass stage at a pumping station and enrollment in a TDEC/EPA consultation program to help draft SOPs and operations guidance.
Town utility staff updated council on water and sewer operations at the Dec. 3 meeting, reporting several operational milestones and a rise in system water loss.
Staff reported four employees obtained backflow certifications and the backflow kit was certified. The town’s CMOM (Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance) document is complete and will be reviewed by TAUD. Stage one of a bypass by contractor Edwards was completed, and the new pumping station is operating. A blockage in a collection line on Melody Lane was excavated and the tap reinstalled.
Council was told that the system’s water loss has increased to roughly 38–40 percent, up from about 31 percent earlier; minutes say some billing issues contributed to the increase. Rob Ramsey of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) enrolled the department in an EPA consultation program to help write standard operating procedures and provide technical assistance for about a year at no charge.
Customers received lead-and-copper informational letters intended to educate homeowners about plumbing-related exposure. The town will continue work on billing accuracy and operational fixes while using TDEC/EPA assistance to refine procedures.
Next steps: staff will track water-loss metrics, implement recommended SOPs from the consultation program and report back to the council on progress.
