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Maysville commissioners declare emergency to fast-track inspection of Ohio River water intake
Summary
After staff reported potential damage to one of the city's two river intakes, the Maysville Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to declare an emergency and authorize an expedited inspection contract to assess and avert a possible water-supply disruption.
The Maysville Board of Commissioners voted to declare an emergency to allow the city to procure an expedited inspection of its Ohio River water intake after staff reported one intake was loose and showing signs it could fail.
City utility staff described finding that a pipe anchoring an intake had come loose and was slipping back into a concrete bank. A utility operations staff member said, “If something were to happen with the one intake we got right now, a log or a rock or a piece of concrete ... and the other one gets knocked down, we're screwed for at least four hours,” describing the risk to the city's ability to pump river water into the treatment system.
City Attorney Cottle read prepared language invoking state procurement rules to address emergencies: "Motion to declare emergency regarding water treatment plants. Pursuant to KRS 4 24 2 60 subsection 4, a motion is made, to certify that an emergency exists with regard to repair and or maintenance of the city of Maysville's water intake system from the Ohio River." The commission then moved, seconded, and took a roll-call vote.
Staff told the commission that a contractor provided an inspection estimate of about $55,000 for a five-day inspection; staff said this was an inspection only and not the cost for repair. Officials said the crew the city would like to use has previous experience at the intake site and that a full repair would be considered after inspection results.
The commission voted by roll call to approve the emergency declaration so staff could execute procurement consistent with the cited KRS subsection and begin the inspection immediately. Commissioners in the roll call that followed recorded affirmative votes.
The emergency declaration allows the city to bypass certain normal procurement thresholds to secure an inspection to determine the scope and cost of any repairs. City staff said the city has approximately 20 hours of reserve storage on hand and that the inspection is intended to avert a potential situation that could interrupt water service.
Next steps: staff will proceed with contracting for the inspection, report findings to the commission, and return with repair recommendations and cost estimates if repairs are required.
