Utility Service Board: Ultraviolet water treatment addition needed
The City of Jasper is facing an expensive addition to the Water Treatment facility.
Water Commissioner Dave Hurst reported on a water committee meeting held on November 14 to discuss ultraviolet treatment for the water treatment plant. The UV treatment will reduce the likelihood of cryptosporidium, a protozoa that can sicken humans.
Additionally, the UV treatment will reduce trihalomethanes (THM) – potentially carcinogenic factors created in water when chlorine is used to treat it – in the city water. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is regulating the instance of THM found in city water supplies to 80 parts per million. Hurst reported the city has had trouble meeting current level requirements of THM.
The city will have to show proof something is being done to reduce the level of THM or it could face daily fines by the year 2015.
He explained the addition to the water treatment facility will likely cost $1.1 million and then $30,000 yearly to operate.
The Utility Service Board approved a letter to be sent to IDEM stating the city’s plan for reducing those levels.
The Utility Service Board also took the following actions.
-Approved purchasing portable meter tester for the electric department for $9,205 from Brownstown Electric Supply, Brownstown, Ind.
-Opened quotes for 2014 chemicals – nine quote openings – and Ernie Hinkle, Gas and Water Manager, took them under advisement.
-Approved a pole attachment agreement with Fullnet.
-Washington requested assistance from the electric department. Sent two trucks and three men to assist with damages in Washington. Mayor Terry Seitz commended the department for assisting with the neighboring city’s damaged infrastructure.
-Utilities Manager Bud Hauersperger gave the Jasper Clean Energy monthly report and stated there was nothing new to report. He reported the Miscanthus test plot in Huntingburg had grass that was about eight feet tall on the reclaimed coal ground. They plan on cutting it down and leaving it in the ground for weed control. He also reported another company had planted about 18,000 acres of the crop in areas around the country.
-Approved the Gas and Water Department keeping a truck previously approved to be traded in for a new department vehicle. A capital expenditure of $25,000 was approved for the purchase of the new truck with tradein and if the new vehicle cannot be purchased for that amount without the tradein the service board will have to reexamine the purchase.
-Keith Masterson of the Gas Committee reported they had held a meeting on November 4 to discuss the feasibility of a compressed natural gas (CNG) station. Londen Witte of Indianapolis provided a quote of $10,000 to complete a feasibility study.
-Approved joining the Greater Indiana Clean City Coalition for $500 yearly dues to assist in examining the implementation of a CNG station in the city. Through the coalition the city can receive assistance in grant-writing and access to training and seminars.
-Approved $11,000 contract with Christopher Burke Engineering to conduct a feasibility study of raising the level of Beaver Lake by nine inches.
-Heard a new water supply contract with Ireland had been signed by the mayor with an amendment that Ireland can add capacity to their system if it is needed. This was approved to allow Ireland to apply for grants and other funding for future improvements. The City of Jasper and Ireland also agreed Ireland would reduce their demand as Jasper did due emergency situations like the 2012 drought.
