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Saltville council hears water‑system shortfalls and budget pressures; pumps, meters and grant reviews flagged
Summary
Town staff reported large unaccounted water volumes and ongoing infrastructure costs: EMS numbers show 20.46 million gallons pumped in March with 72.8% unaccounted for; manager and public-works staff described meter replacements, rented pumps costing $5,000/month (about $49,000 paid to date), and delays or review issues on multiple grant projects.
Town officials told the Saltville Town Council on April 8 that the town is continuing a sequence of water-system upgrades and repairs even as staff work to reconcile large unaccounted-for water volumes and outstanding grant reviews.
In a water‑use report presented to the council, Gary L. Johnson of EMS, Inc. reported total water pumped in March was 20,459,410 gallons with 5,573,765 gallons accounted for and 14,885,645 gallons unaccounted for — a difference the report lists as 72.8% unaccounted for. The report’s totals were entered into the meeting packet and discussed during the public-works presentation.
Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum said the town has been replacing water meters and deploying supervisory control (SCADA) monitoring and that the town is continuing to pay for two rented pumps at the treatment plant. "The 2 rented pumps continue to operate at the treatment plant at a cost of $5,000 a month. To date, we have paid the pump supplier, Xylem, a total of $49,000," Rosenbaum said in her manager’s report.
Public Works Director Hunter Gregory told the council crews have installed commercial meters and nearly finished residential meter replacements; he also reported a schedule to repair potholes and to install replacement stop signs arriving April 15. EMS and Public Works also presented a $4,514 quote from C.L. Boggs to repair a backup motor at the 107 pump station; the council authorized that repair.
Rosenbaum briefed the council on outstanding grant and capital projects. She said the town received approval of a credit review for one water‑line project and is awaiting next steps with Rural Development’s parity review, but she warned that staff changes and reported instability could jeopardize Rural Development funding. "It is my understanding that frequent changes in management in Saltville, and rumors of instability, are creating concerns," Rosenbaum said.
Council members praised the new SCADA monitoring and approved routine repair work but asked staff to continue reporting on missing-water investigations, meter-billing reconciliation and the status of pending grant or loan approvals. The town’s financial packet and manager’s notes (included in the packet) show ongoing budget pressure from unplanned line‑of‑credit payoffs and Brownsfield-related costs; the manager said a draft budget will be ready for council review during May budget sessions.
