HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-16 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 16,1999
3
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:37 P.M. on
Wednesday, June 16, 1999 in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading,
Ma.
In attendance were Chair Gail Wood and members William Freeman and Richard Moore. Also
attending were DPW Business Administrator David Lee (for DPW Director McIntire), Water
and Sewer Distribution Supervisor James Richardson and Water Treatment Plant Supervisor
Peter Tassi.
Meeting Minutes
Approval of minutes of the previous meeting was postponed until next meeting.
Review of "Water Quality" Brochure
Water Plant supervisor introduced this draft no. 2 of the federally mandated Drinking
Water Report by requesting the Committee members to contact him with their observations and
comments after they studied the report. A discussion ensued and focused on a desire for the
report to include more and different information, including insertion of a "Question & Answer"
section. Mr. Tassi noted that the report could be expanded to include more information, but that
doing so would expand the report beyond the current (2) pages inasmuch as most of the current
information is mandated by EPA.
Water Storage Tank Siting
The committee discussed the draft tank siting report prepared by consulting engineers
Woodard & Curran. Comments included the following:
♦ The report did not fully discuss replicating the tank on Auburn Street.
♦ The report did not present cost of alternatives on a comparative basis that would allow
the committee to see similar cost. Comparative maintenance and main installation
requirements were specifically discussed.
♦ The priority of replacing the storage tank rather than upgrading the distribution system
was not clear. Mr. Freeman commented on the need to do a system study to determine
needs and priorities, as storage tank considerations were only part of the overall flow
issue.
♦ Greater detail in discussing the tank alternatives (i.e. - ground/elevated and
steel/concrete) was desired, particularly the issues of "dead storage" and managing the
"graffiti problem".
♦ The committee discussed performance of a system study before the Water division
proceeded with the water main cleaning and lining program, including the hiring of a
consultant to study and recommend priorities. It was noted that consultants generally
did not recommend cleaning and lining water main 6" as this was not considered cost-
effective.
In summary - the committee did not view the report as-"apples and apples" comparison of
costs, all cost elements were not shown comparatively, the presentation should receive
WSAC Minutes
June 16, 1999
Page 1 of 2
general upgrade, certain questions were left unanswered (see Ms. Wood's list attached) and
THE COMMITTEE WANTED TO MEET WITH THE CONSULTANT'S BEFORE THE
PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
Miscellaneous:
The committee reviewed the sample Sewer Expense summary (copy attached). Ms. Wood
viewed the format as meeting the desire for a simplified method of showing project
financing, especially for bonded and reserved projects. She asked that a similar summary
be done for Water.
The committee received the attached draft of a general informational article discussing the
importance of protecting against cross connections in the water system - including the need
to inspect and test back flow devices on irrigation systems. The members were asked to
return comments to Mr. Richardson.
The committee received a copy of a legal notice of a public hearing to be held June 22,
199, by the selectmen on the subject of expanding the membership of the Water and Sewer
Advisory Committee membership from three to five.
Ms. Wood volunteered to fill the position vacated by Stewart Chipman on the Open Space
Committee.
The committee received a copy of a procedure. outlining the procedure to be followed to
distribute any enterprise fund operating surplus or deficit among the reserve fund sub
funds.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM.
WSAC Minutes
June 16, 1999
Page 2 of 2
TANK REPLACEMENT
1.) Describe a ground-tank pictures please actual as well as brochures.
2.) What is the maintenance cost comparison steel vs. prestressed concrete
a.) address potential graffiti problem on both types
3.) Page ES-2 chart "present worth" What does this mean?
4.,) Page- ES-3. cost. of steel tank??. Are_all other costs.the_-same?
5.) Page .3-3 Proposed. *veJopment what, effect does .theLandfill development. have-
..on-.the projeetgda~equirements.
Projected-use - Table 3.3 p: 3-4 Average-Day Water Use is based-on years-that
water restrictions-have been in-place.. -Does this mean that projected use is also
based-on year round water restrictions?
6.) Unaccounted water -What do communities do to account for. water used for flushing,
fire use or park watering? Do we have any other unmetered use.
7.) Based on predicted increases including landfill development does there appear to be
a need for a possible 4th tank in the future?
8.) Page 4-2 given the variable results in hydrant flow tests do you have a
recommendation to assure that all hydrants are up to estimated requirement?
9.) What is the correlation between Tables 4.1 p. 4-2; 4.3 p.44; 4.2 p.4-2
4.4 p.4-5 (proposed water main improvements)
e.g. Table 4.3 Areas.of Fire Flow Concern "Longview Rd.". nothing in Table 4.1,
4.2 or 4.4 relates to Longview Rd.
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The Town of Reading Water Department welcomes this opportunity to
inform it's customers of the importance of Cross Connection Protection.
Cross Connections are defined as connections between a water supply line
that is directly or indirectly connected to a non-potable (unfit to drink)
source. An unprotected or inadequately protected cross connection could
contaminate the drinking water not only in your home, but also in
neighboring homes and businesses.
The water distribution system is designed to flow in a certain direction -
from the distribution system to the consumer. However, conditions may
deviate from "normal", allowing water to flow in the opposite direction. This
is called Backflow.
Backflow occurs when the pressure in the distribution system drops,
siphoning water from the consumer's system into the distribution system.
This would also siphon any substance which may be in contact with the
water system through a Cross Connection. This type of Backflow is called
Backsiphonage and can happen anytime there is a pressure drop in the
distribution system. Some examples of pressure drops would be: fire
fighting, water main breaks, water main flushing or any other high demands
placed on the water distribution system.
The most common source of residential Cross Connections is the outside
faucet and garden hose. The garden hose creates a hazard when submerged
in non-potable water such as a swimming pool or when left attached to a
chemical sprayer used to apply weed-killers or fertilizer. Garden hoses are
often left laying on the ground and may become contaminated with fertilizer,
garden chemicals, insecticides, etc. Other potential residential Cross
Connections can occur when lawn irrigation systems, boilers and other
appliances are connected to the plumbing system.
The best way to protect drinking water is to eliminate every Cross
Connection. When this is not possible, drinking water lines are protected
from Cross Connections by the installation of Backflow Preventers.
Backflow Preventers are mechanical assemblies specifically designed to
protect drinking water lines from contamination through Cross Connections.
Most Backflow Preventers have been tested by the Foundation for Cross
Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern
California. Those devices that have passed these tests are very dependable.
Customers should be aware of Cross Connections and their potential to
contaminate drinking water. Every effort should be made to eliminate them
or provide protection from them.
One way to protect drinking water from contamination through garden hoses
is by installing hose bibb vacuum breakers on all outside faucets. These
devices are very inexpensive and provide protection from the potential
hazards of the garden hose. An irrigation system that is connected to a
drinking water line is also a Cross Connection, and is required to have a
Backflow Preventer.
Some Backflow Preventers are required to be tested. These devices are
tested to ensure proper operation and to determine if any repairs are needed.
If tested and maintained properly, Backflow Preventers can be relied on to
provide the protection they are designed for.
Some things homeowners can do to help prevent contamination of the
drinking water through Cross Connections are:
Look around your home to make sure you are not unknowingly
creating any Cross Connections.
Make sure any changes to your plumbing system are performed by a
licensed plumber.
Do not leave hose end applicators attached to the garden hose when
not in use.
Make sure garden hoses are stored properly, not lying on the ground
or left submerged in a swimming pool.
Install hose bibb vacuum breakers on all outside faucets.
Have Backflow Preventers tested and repaired if necessary to ensure
their proper operation.
With the help of it'scustomers, the Town of Reading Water Department will
be able to continue to supply safe drinking water to every home and business
connected to the distribution system.