Middletown moves to preemptive drought measures as spring yields fall

Town staff told the Burgess and Commissioners on Feb. 5 that Middletown remains in a three-year drought and recommended preemptive conservation steps.

Director of Public Works Bruce Carbaugh said current monthly water usage is 296,003 gallons per day (205 gallons per minute) while monthly spring yield totals 36,179 gpd and the day's spring yield measured 23 gpm (33,120 gpd). Staff recommended moving to Code Yellow now and, if the town meets the criteria, going to Code Orange in March. The minutes record that "the town board agreed by consensus to allow staff to make decisions to go to Code Orange when needed and not wait to bring it before the town board for approval."

Carbaugh said workers are intentionally sending flow to the wastewater treatment plant to keep nutrient levels up and that staff suspect leaks in service lines are increasing usage. He also reported that all wells were resampled for PFAS and that test results will be posted on the town website. The DPW raised an operational option to build a new wastewater treatment plant on the current dog-park site, noting that would require operating two plants and maintaining two discharge permits and recommended staff investigate ongoing costs not covered by ENR funding.

The board authorized staff to act under the drought protocol without convening the full board if conditions trigger a move to Code Orange; staff will notify the board when such a change occurs.