Huge losses of treated water totaling millions of gallons in the Bryson City water system have board members scrambling to figure out how and where the losses are occurring.
In a board meeting Monday, Russell Ball, operator of the town’s Deep Creek Water Plant, said losses in February were the most he’d ever seen, with more than 7 million gallons unaccounted for and representing almost $44,000 in lost revenues had the amount been billed. The loss total represents 53 percent of the town’s treated water for the month, Ball reported.
“I have reviewed the figures for accuracy, and this is the most water unaccounted for in any given month in my time here,” Ball reported.
Ball went on to say in his opinion the problem is in the town’s distribution system. He said leaks and “improperly metered” or unmetered fire systems were the likely culprits.
“This is an unsustainable amount of loss and is the equivalent of 530 gallons of every 1,000 gallons pumped into the distribution system going unaccounted,” Ball reported.
Ball warned in his written report the losses may push the town’s overall water capacity limits to 80 percent, when the state “requires” additional capacity to be developed. Ball said expanding the town’s capacity would likely cost an estimated $5 million.
Ball said if the town could get the issue under control, the system would be about 25 percent capacity.
Alderman Ben King said the town needs to get a list of places where unmetered fire suppression systems are located and budget installation of meters throughout the year.
“Right now it looks like we have a town irrigation system,” King said.
King said the time for action is now.
“It’s gotten worse since I’ve been here,” King said. “It’s not getting better.
The board directed Public Works Director Tom Shook to come up with a list of potential places to install the meters.
Shook said there are about 50 metered fire suppression systems on the system, but an unknown number of unmetered systems that could be culprits.
In other action, the board will continue to submit questions to the town’s engineering firm, McGill Associates, about a proposed new wastewater treatment plant. The firm recommended last month the town build a new plant next to the town’s existing treatment plant for an estimated cost of $12.6 million.
The engineering firm recommended against building the new plant on part of a 9-acre tract the town owns on the north side of the river near Powell Lumber. Most of the tract is in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain and would cost more— about $14.8 million— to build.
The board has not formally voted on whether to build the plant.
Project Manager Nate Bowe said there is a March 31 deadline to present preliminary engineering plans to the feds and the state for a review that should take about one or two months.
There would also be a review of the town’s financial plans and the possibility the feds and the state would want the town to reduce infiltration and inflow into the town’s existing wastewater collection system, Bowe reported.
The current plant is permitted by the state at 600,000 gallons a day and the town has frequently exceeded the permitted capacity. The design flow rate at the existing plant is about 651,000 gallons, with peak flow capacity of 1.40 million gallons a day. Peak flows during 2018-19 were more than 2.15 million gallons a day.
Bowe recommended a 1.2-million gallon a day capacity at the new plant with a peak flow or hydraulic capacity of 2.5 million gallons a day.
In other action, Town Manager Regina Mathis said heavy rainfall in February has “devasted” Island Park, which will remain closed until further notice.
Mathis said she toured the park and was shocked by the devastation caused when the island was totally inundated by the river during recent heavy rainfall.
Mathis said huge trees were washed down, banks torn up and other extensive damage was visible.
“There is no way to open it now,” Mathis said.
The town manager said it would cost about $75,000 to repair the island. She has been in touch with the governor’s office to see if any funds are available.
“I’m not sure if we will get funding, but we are trying,” Mathis said.
In other action:
*Tabled any action on the town’s proposed backflow ordinance requiring extensive commercial backflow meters throughout the town.
*Police Chief Charlie Robinson reported his department handled 304 calls during February, including three motor vehicle accidents, 42 incident reports, two DWI arrests, 15 drug-related arrests, one intoxicated pedestrian, four physical domestic issues, one verbal domestic, 45 traffic stops, 32 citations, 32 charges, six noise violations, 301 business checks, two foot patrols and two animal complaints.
*Fire Chief Charles Bryson issued a report showing 32 calls during February. Fire property losses for the year are $90,400 with $574,390 threatened. The town is still waiting on a mutual aid agreement with Cherokee.
*Greg Passmore, wastewater treatment plant operator, reported a continuation of problems associated with heavy rainfall. In February, 13.90 inches of rain fell at the plant, causing the plant to break its state permit. In January, 10.50 inches of rain fell, making the total for the year 24.40 inches. A 100,000 gallon sewerage spill at the plant was reported Feb. 6-7 during heavy rains.
The next board meeting will be Monday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. in town hall. The meeting is open to the public.