Town manager outlines water and sewer challenges; DEQ meeting set

Town Manager Rodney Newton told the council Sept. 10 that crews continue to investigate rain-driven inflow and infiltration (I/I) issues affecting the west pumpstation project, with known problem areas on Tidewater Avenue and Lunenburg Avenue. Flow sensors concentrated around the old railroad bed on 13th Street should help narrow the leak locations on the next significant rain event.

Newton said demolition at the west plant has been limited while the town finalizes a corrosion settlement control plan and permit materials. He said Newton and Grayson Townsend will meet with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on Sept. 19 to discuss the east facility closure plan and elevated ammonia levels the town attributes to leachate coming from the Lunenburg Landfill. The town currently accepts two loads (about 16,000 gallons) of leachate per day under its agreement with Meridian Waste and may pass treatment costs to the leachate generator if necessary.

Newton also described recurring discoloration and mild odor in the drinking water during hot, low-flow periods, which he said is driven by higher manganese levels in the river. He said Moonshot Missions, an organization that previously assisted the town on a copper issue, has funding to consult on drinking-water treatment and recommends evaluating manganese treatment at the river intake rather than solely at the plant; Moonshot Missions is scheduled to visit in mid-to-late October to make recommendations. Newton announced hydrant flushing beginning Sept. 16 (and Sept. 17 if needed) starting around 6:00 p.m. and noted plans to replace an out-of-service hydrant at Timmy's Grocery in mid-October.