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Mr. Horvath responded, It depends on the wellfield. We even have JC filters because we've got <br />the problem with the contamination that came in the wellfield. With this abundant supply, the <br />number of wells we have —we have thirty (30) wells inground —if they are all running at the <br />capacity that they should be, it would be about 70,000,000 gallons a day, which is well more <br />than what we need. So, because of different maintenance over time, that number has gone down <br />in terms of what we can actually pump. So, we're somewhere around 40,000,000 gallons a day. <br />You'll see from this that the need here is really a capital need. It's getting back to a replacement <br />program for some of these pieces of equipment that are well beyond their useful life, and some of <br />these water mains that need to be replaced, too, that are one - hundred and twenty (120) years -old. <br />We have about six - hundred (600) miles of water main with which we deliver over 5.2 billion <br />gallons to homes every year. Mr. Horvath presented to the Committee a graphic depicting the <br />City's different wellfields and booster stations. Mr. Horvath offered to show any of the <br />Committee or Councilmembers around the facilities, suggesting that they set up a time <br />beforehand to meet with him onsite. He stated, It is pretty eye - popping when you see some of the <br />stuff that's in there. I imagine that it wouldn't take much for some of these things to be breaking <br />down. <br />Al Greek, Utilities Director of South Bend, with offices at Riverside Drive and at North Pumping <br />Station in South Bend, IN, stated that Erskine wellfield was impacted by nitrate. Mr. Greek <br />stated, Every time we turn it on, it's about eight (8) to ten (10) parts per million. The limit's ten <br />(10), so we're careful when we want to use it. There have been times we've had to use it in the <br />past, when things have been out -of- service, and we had to support that area of town. It needs <br />some other repairs, and we'd really like to get rid of it sometime in the future and do some other <br />construction work to get some supplies from somewhere else. <br />Councilmember Voorde asked, Are nitrates fertilizers? <br />Mr. Greek responded, It's normally a result of it, yes. Mr. Greek presented to the Committee <br />pictures of the system. He stated, It's got fifty (50) year -old high service pumps; it's got <br />ventilation system problems; deteriorating roofs and trusses; it's got piping maintenance issues; <br />it's got electrical system problems; interior corrosion; outdated equipment. He showed them <br />pictures of fifty (50) year -old pumps and motors, the outside of the building, the trusses inside of <br />the building, the piping on the inside that was nearly completely rusted, the ventilation system <br />which was outdated and difficult to keep running, the electrical system, a walkway in the <br />filtration plant to get to the filter and the rusted pipes in view while on it, and a chemical tank for <br />fluoride —which Mr. Greek pointed out was an OSHA violation. He explained, There should be <br />a storage facility put around it in case there's a spill —a prevention area. <br />Councilmember Tim Scott asked, Do you have room to do that? To put the containment area —or <br />does the tank have to move? <br />Mr. Greek responded, That's a good question. I think that we would at least have to put out some <br />kind of a concrete embankment around it. We'd have to determine the space needed. <br />2 <br />