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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/1980 Special Mtg Board of Public Works MinutesEMERGENCY MEETING JULY 16 -. 1980 An emergency meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened at 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 16, 1980, by President Patrick M. McMahon, with Mr. McMahon, Mr. Richard L. Hill and Mr. Joseph E. Kernan present. Mr. McMahon explained that the meeting had been called at the request of Mr. John Leszczynski, Director of Utilities, concerning the heavy water usage by residents and the problem of contaminants which had been previously detected at the Olive Street Pumping Station and which had necessitated the closing of Well No. 4. Mr. Leszczynski explained that the city has experienced excessive water usage during the last several weeks because of the hot and dry weather and, on July 15, 1980, the highest usage was.recorded at 43 million gallons. He requested that the Board put into effect mandatory sprinkling restrictions such as an "odd- even" sprinkling procedure, which would provide sufficient water in the case of a potential fire or other public safety hazard. Mayor Roger 0. Parent stated that by using his emergency powers, he was recommending that the Board adopt a resolution restricting the use of water throughout the city. Mr. McMahon stated that he concurred with Mr. Leszczynski's recommendation concerning the "odd- even" sprinkling method which would provide that, on even- numbered days, the house numbers ending in an even number would sprinkle and so forth. Mr. McMahon explained that the city did not have I a supply problem at present, but there could be a potential problem if a major fire occurred. Mr..Hill explained that the Board of Public Works has enforcement powers and any action taken by the Board would be provided to the violators. If there was a continued violation, the Legal Department would take action and the Municipal Code provided a fine for violations. Mr. Hill stated that he hoped this would not happen; however, he stressed that there certainly would be mandatory enforcement. He suggested that there may be a possibility to attach a special assessment to the water bills as an alternative; however, he felt the method of assessing fines to the violators would be followed. Mr. McMahon explained that, in the case of automatic sprinkler systems, a separate meter was utilized and could be shut off to prevent sprinkling. He further stated that, when the weather conditions improved, the limits would be lifted. Upon a motion made by Mr. McMahon, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, the Board adopted the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 12, 1980 WHEREAS, because of the excessive usage of water in the last few weeks, the Board of Public Works has determined that, for the best interests of the citizens of the City of South Bend, a system of mandatory sprinkling be established in order to provide sufficient water in the event of a fire or any other health and safety related matter. BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Public Works of the City of South Bend, Indiana, that the following mandatory sprink- ling restrictions be placed in effect until such time as the Board determines the need no longer exists: On even numbered days, the house numbers ending in an even number be allowed to sprinkle. On odd numbered days, the house numbers ending in an odd number be allowed to sprinkle. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any violation of the above mandatory sprinkling method will result in a' penalty consistent with those penalties currently existing in the Municipal Code relating to emergency powers of the Mayor and the Board of Public Works. NOTE: MANDATORY SPRINKLING RESTRICTIONS WERE LIFTED BY THE BOARD OF WATER WORKS COMMISSIONERS ON AUGUST 4, 1980. 1 1 1 REGULAR MEETING JULY 16. 1980 In an unrelated matter, Mr. McMahon also announced that, as a result of the storm this morning, a booster station on Fellows Street was without power, causing many residents. in the .. area to be without water. He stated that the Water Works crews and crews from I & M were aware of the problem and were taking the appropriate steps to alleviate it. Mr. Leszczynski then. reported to the Board on the problem of the contaminen:ts in the water at the Olive Street Pumping Station as a follow -up to the report he had made to the Board on June 16, 1980. He explained that on July 15th, he had received the quantitative analysis of samples collected at the Pumping Station which indicates the presence of two chemicals in the water: Tetrachloreothene and Trichloroethene. He stated that, at this time, two wells have been contaminated, two wells have been marginally contaminated, which -.Weans the concentrations are within proposed safe drinking standards, and two wells have shown no contamination at all.- The results showed that a contaminant has entered the aquifer and the possibility existed that the movement of the contaminants may affect the entire well field. Mr. Leszczynski announced that, in the interest of public safety, the Olive Street Pumping Station would remain out of service until the contaminate has been removed from the water system. He further explained that, in the last several weeks, the department has attempted to resolve the problem. In addition to the extensive -lab analysis being performed, the department has had infrared photographs taken of the site in an effort to try and locate a surface source of contamination. The services of Ten Ech have also been engaged concerning recommendations with regard to ground water movement, possible sources of contamination and for the review of all possible methods of treatment. He stated that further testing was being recommended by.the consultant in order to help determine the extent and source of the contamination. Mr. Leszczynski indicated that a preliminary review of the con- tamination showed that these two chemicals have shown up in other water systems in a number of communities across the United States and several treatment techniques are available, one of which may possibly be used at Olive Street in the water. Mr. McMahon referred to the analysis furnished by Ten Ech Environmental Consultants concerning the testing of the wells. He agreed that the Pumping Station should be closed even though four of the six wells were tested and found to be within the standards set forth for safe drinking water. He stated that the city did not have available a great deal of background.information on water contaminants. Other communities are experiencing the same problems now, and the Environmental Protection•Agency standards were very preliminary and have not been adopted; however, the city would be using these standards as guidelines. He stated that the city had two alterna- tives: the well field could be closed on a permanent basis and a new well field constructed, or the field could be kept open and the water treated. He stated that other communities have utilized its contaminated water by treating it. Because of the information received from Ten Ech, Mr. McMahon had expressed concern previous to this time that there was a general problem in the community resulting from septic tank users. He pointed out that the information received shows that this is not the case and that the problem relates to a specific point source of contamination. He was hopeful that the city would be able to identify the source and rectify the situation. Mr. McMahon suspected that the problem lies to the north and east of the Pumping Station near the railroad area or just beyond it. He stated that the only study done in St. Joseph County on ground water movements and contaminants was done in 1945. He indicated that Ten Ech is one of the most highly qualified consultant involved in this area. REGULAR MEETING JULY 16. 1980 Mr. McMahon stated that, if the well field was closed down totally, the city would be forced to dig new wells elsewhere which would create a serious economic hardship on the part of the city. He stated that he did not have a good estimate on what it could cost the city, but he referred to the cost involved of $60,000 to $100,000 for each well drilled in the Industrial Park and stated that the cost to the city would be much higher. He stated that perhaps some thought should be given to moving the well field away from this industrial and railroad area in the long -range plans for the city. He stated that, as he under- stood the reports, the chemicals are those commonly found in degreasing activities. He indicated that, if the chemicals found in the water were a result of a railroad'car.and accidental spill some time ago, it would be very difficult to determine. He felt there would not be any harmful effect upon anyone because of the use of Well No. 4 prior to its being shut down. He stated that he had no information regarding the health hazard effects, but felt confident no health problem was present. He stated that the Health Department does periodic testing of the water and the contaminants had not shown up before so he felt certain they were the result of a recent intrusion into the ground water supply. Testing of the water by the consultant would determine the direction of the contaminants; however, he felt this would take a considerable amount of time since the city had no way of knowing where the spill occurred, if, in fact, one ever had occurred. The problem of location was further complicated because of the various industries in the area, many of which have been in operation for many years. Mr. McMahon concluded by stating that he would be taking a serious overall look at the present location of the Pumping Station in terms of future and long -range planning. There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion made by Mr. McMahon, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. ATTEST: N40— ; OL-1- a_ 0 . Barbara J. Byer sr, A A If . X.�,//_, atrick ZcMa on chard L. Hill b' oseph E. Kernan