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Sparta issues boil-water advisory after main-line rupture; town to withdraw FEMA request and study leak policy
Summary
A Sparta water main rupture prompted a boil-water advisory for nine streets while the town awaits test results; town staff said FEMA public-assistance paperwork offers little benefit and plans to withdraw the request, and the council was told a formal leak-adjustment policy will be proposed next year.
Staff reported late in the meeting that a six-inch main line ruptured behind the old pipe factory on U.S. 21, causing a significant loss of water and triggering a boil-water advisory for nine streets while samples are tested. "Water has been restored to the town," Staff member said, "but there are nine streets that are listed on here that still have a boil notice, and they need to boil their water for the next one to four hours until we get our testing done."
The advisory covered customers on U.S. 21 between T Lane and Kathy Shores Nursery and named Main Street, Lucas Street, Winthrop Lane, Doctor Street, Grayson Street, Barr Street, Deer Haven Road and Independence Road. Staff said the rupture was a complete line failure on a six-inch main and described a prior break on Lake Street. The town sent a press release at 4:15 p.m. and notified the health department; water samples were dispatched for testing and the advisory will be lifted as results permit.
On disaster aid, Staff member said Sparta applied to FEMA’s public-assistance program after the hurricane but that, after three meetings with FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management, the town found FEMA would provide reimbursement for labor hours only and no mitigation assistance. "The only assistance we could get from FEMA is going to be returning back labor hours that were utilized," Staff member said, and staff stated they will likely withdraw the public-assistance application because the paperwork burden would cost more than the expected benefit.
Staff also raised a forthcoming policy change on customer billing for repeated leaks. "We are going to be looking to implement a leak policy beginning next year," Staff member told the council, describing a one-time leak-adjustment approach to reduce recurring losses and protect the town’s budget. The staff presentation said further outreach and a formal proposal will follow, and the council was notified that residents can expect additional public discussion when the policy is drafted.
The council did not make any formal vote on the FEMA application or the leak policy during the recorded portion of the meeting. The town’s next procedural step is to await lab results from the distributed water samples and to bring a leak-policy proposal to the council for formal consideration.
