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Lumberport council hears sanitary finding; backflow ordinance and upgrades urged
Summary
Quality Water told the council of a 120‑day sanitary finding and backflow concerns; the town attorney pressed the utility over delayed communication. Council received the report and a backflow ordinance is slated for further action next month.
Quality Water representatives Stephanie and Allen Westfall presented a written water and sewer report to the Lumberport Town Council citing a 120-day sanitary finding from the health department and recommending a backflow-control plan and system upgrades.
Town Attorney Trey Simmerman pressed the utility on timing and outreach, asking, “Why did they wait until now to present an issue. No communication or warning to the council. Where is the proactive work? Seems like a lot of money. Knew this information for months but gave no warning.” Quality Water representatives described previous decisions and noted prior refusals to act by earlier leadership; they said upgrades and a backflow plan are required under state sanitary rules and that a backflow ordinance will be considered next month.
Mayor Lexie Mayfield asked the council to approve the water and sewer report; a motion was made by Council Member Michael Stire and seconded by Council Member Tom Exline (the transcript records the motion but does not record the vote result). Council members and staff discussed reservoir levels, leak detection resources, and meter-reading anomalies raised in an email from Ryan Holcomb. The town was advised to split software costs with the utility and to consider a phased upgrade plan to meet state requirements.
The council did not adopt a final funding plan during the meeting; councilors directed staff and the utility to return with follow-up information, and staff noted a target of Sept. 17 for further council consideration of work needed on backflow controls.
