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Council hears water/sewer report showing 54% unaccounted-for water and consent-order work underway
Summary
EMS reported Oct. pumping of 16.3 million gallons with 8.84 million gallons (54.1%) unaccounted for; town staff and consultants are addressing DEQ consent-order items and operating two rented pumps at about $5,000 per month. FEMA denied two related claims, per the town manager.
Town consultants and staff told the council Nov. 12 that the town's water system shows a large volume of unaccounted-for water and that regulatory and repair work is underway.
Gary L. Johnson of EMS, Inc. presented the town's October water-use data showing 16,327,477 gallons pumped, 7,486,840 gallons accounted for, and 8,840,637 gallons unaccounted for (54.1%). The report listed water sold to Town customers and to neighboring counties and called out inflow/infiltration concerns and pump and valve work.
Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum told the council that two rented pumps are operating at the treatment plant "at a cost of $5,000 a month" while longer-term projects proceed. Rosenbaum also reported that FEMA denied two recent project claims (Clinchburg Trestle and stream crossing scouring) and that she did not recommend appealing those denials. The town is working with The Lane Group, EMS staff and others to respond to a DEQ consent order.
Council did not adopt an emergency appropriation at the meeting. Staff said the audit delay and federal staffing issues on Rural Development projects are slowing progress on several capital initiatives. The water-loss percentage and rented-pump costs were entered into the record for council review and follow-up.
