Saltville weighs water-system upgrades as February report shows 45.6% unaccounted-for water

Crossroads Engineering and EMS, Inc. briefed the council on multiple water-system projects and operational figures that highlight remaining challenges for distribution and metering.

Darian Musick of Crossroads Engineering summarized Phase I work: meter replacement by Bitter Creek Construction is complete, the radio-read system is operating and larger meters were installed by town crews. Musick said the town secured additional principal-forgiveness to focus on the highest-priority line replacements; "they ended up awarding the town with 1 million dollars extra in principle forgiveness to allow the engineers to do the highest priority in the line replacements," he said, describing state funding that will cover most work on priority segments.

EMS, Inc.'s February water-use report showed total water pumped of 15,706,409 gallons and 8,549,564 gallons accounted for as sold, flushed or otherwise used, leaving 7,156,845 gallons — about 45.6% — unaccounted for. Gary L. Johnson of EMS included that table in the packet and noted ongoing work items such as backup pumping, security fencing and a lead-service inventory that will be advanced with VDH funding.

Council and staff discussed continuing smoke testing, targeted main replacements and prioritizing projects (Cardwell town well to Perryville, and identified sections on Cove Street and Sanders Lane). Rosenbaum and engineers said funding awards and equipment purchases will allow the town to address many of the highest-loss segments but some upper-end 2-inch lines remain without replacement funding at this time.

Council asked public works to prepare outreach and notices for customers about upcoming smoke testing and to provide an updated timeline for the line-replacement work.