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City to reinstall solenoid, add check valve after "off-the-scale" chlorine reading at booster pumps
Summary
Public-works staff reported a missing solenoid valve allowed super-chlorinated water to enter pump lines when wells shut off; staff plans to reinstall the solenoid, add a check valve near the wells and then submit plans to DDW for review before bidding the work.
Ken (staff) reported that a consultant who visited the booster-pump site found a solenoid valve missing from the chlorine system, which allowed concentrated chlorine to 'bleed' into the distribution line when wells shut off. Ken said the consultant "took a test of the water when he was out here, and the chlorine in that water was so high. It it was off the scale. You couldn't even get a result on it." Ken recommended reinstalling the solenoid valve and adding a new check valve where the pump lines tie together to stop the back-bleed.
Ken said the wiring for the solenoid remains in place and the change should not require significant new infrastructure; after design completion staff will submit plans to DDW (the state drinking-water regulator) and pursue bids for the work. He said that, if rerouting the chlorine system is avoided, the city may not need to install an additional booster pump and could save money.
Council members asked whether city employees test chlorine regularly; staff replied testing occurs but readings vary by sampling location and timing. Ken explained the high chlorine spikes are localized near the pump shutdown point and dissipate once the wells restart. The council requested continued updates and asked staff to proceed with the described modifications and DDW submittal.
