Saltville council hears report of 63% unexplained water loss; pump repairs, grants and backup pumps prioritized

Town of Saltville officials on March 11 were alerted to a large discrepancy in the town’s February water accounting and discussed short-term fixes and funding to stabilize the water system. Gary L. Johnson of EMS, Inc., the town’s contracted water/wastewater operator, delivered the numbers: total water pumped in February was 17,403,723 gallons and the amount accounted for by billed sales, flushing, leaks and other reported uses was 6,440,534 gallons — a difference of 10,963,189 gallons, or about 63 percent unaccounted for.

The gap prompted discussion of equipment failures and ongoing repair needs. Public Works Director Hunter Gregory reported that the booster pump motor at the Cardwell Town well was replaced recently and that a new booster pump has been ordered; the motor-and-pump package was described at committee as costing approximately $20,000, with the spare pump delivery estimated at 14–16 weeks. Gregory said crews have continued commercial-meter installations (North Fork Manor, Food Country, Clark’s Pharmacy) and are moving forward with additional meter work and SCADA upgrades intended to improve monitoring.

Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum said the town has been pursuing both emergency and longer-term funding to cover repair costs. She reported contact with Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and later confirmed the town received a $50,000 assistance payment to help with the financial burden caused by a November pump failure. Rosenbaum also said two temporary rented pumps remain in service at the treatment plant at a cost of $5,000 per month.

Council members and staff noted other infrastructure items under review: a permanent pump station project tied to a DEQ C-5151740 line replacement has passed credit review and been approved for bid, and a VDH/VRA-backed radio-read meter installation project had cleared credit review and moved toward procurement. Rosenbaum said the town is continuing work with bond counsel and county partners to keep projects eligible for state and federal financing.

R.B. Henderson, chair of the Water, Sewer and Refuse Committee, said the committee will tour well sites and tanks and prepare a prioritized capital list; he and staff emphasized the need for spare parts and clearer access controls at critical facilities. EMS numbers and the manager’s updates will be part of upcoming budget sessions as the town sets capital-improvement priorities.

Next steps noted at the meeting: continue replacement of commercial meters and SCADA work, complete the pump-station procurement process, maintain temporary pumping capacity while the permanent repairs proceed, and include the new MRPDC grant in the town’s budget planning. The council took no formal vote specific to additional capital borrowing at the meeting; manager and staff said they will report further as bid results and procurement timelines firm up.