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Engineering update: Elm Street project state-funded; officials note drought and water taste concerns
Summary
Director Oliver said Elm Street improvements were fully state-funded as a Safe Routes to School project and noted the city remains in significant drought; Director Arnold reported mitigation steps for recent water taste and odor complaints linked to algae in Crystal Lake.
Director Oliver told the committee the Elm Street project was paid for by the state as a Safe Routes to School project and that construction is wrapping up, including sidewalk and landscaping work in front of the former school footprint. "The whole thing was paid for by the state," Oliver said, noting the limits on what the grant funded and why the work covered a specific section of Elm Street.
Oliver also reminded residents the city remains in a significant drought and urged limiting outdoor water use; he said the reservoirs are notably low and that Crystal Lake has been at levels he has not seen in 20-plus years. On water quality, Director Arnold described actions to address recent taste and odor complaints: flushing the Snake Farm well, balancing system flows and considering permanganate dosing in coordination with DEP. Contractor staff noted algae in Crystal Lake appears to be clearing.
Both directors framed these as operational matters: the Elm Street work was state-funded construction, while water taste and odor responses are ongoing staff actions to maintain safe drinking water and address resident complaints.
