Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/15/2016

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5. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 5.01: Informational Update on the City of Ramsey Utility Department Utility Supervisor Nelson stated he has worked for Ramsey since 1993. The Utility Department has three other full-time employees in addition to two seasonal employees to maintain 82 miles of water main, 1,000+ fire hydrants, 4,500 water services, 63 miles of sewer main, 1,500 manholes, and 7 sewer lift stations. The City's sewer treatment occurs at Pigs Eye in St. Paul through a gravity system. The City has 8 ground water supply wells pumping from 250 gallons per minute to 1,600 gallons per minute with the largest well. The wells draw water from the Franconia-Ironton-Galesville aquifer and cost about $1 million to drill plus the cost for the buildings and treatment systems. The City's wells can pump 10 million gallons a day, if required, and in 2015,pumped 661 million gallons. Utility Supervisor Nelson described the three chemicals used to treat the City's water. He displayed a bottle of water with iron sediment on the bottom, explaining that the bottom of the City's water mains contain iron sediment, which is flushed out though fire hydrants each spring. He stated the sizes of the City's three water towers that contain a combined total of 4 million gallons. Utility Supervisor Nelson explained how the water is pumped into the City's water towers and described the City's maintenance program to inspect and flush fire hydrants. Councilmember Shryock asked what causes spurts of water containing iron sediment. Utility Supervisor Nelson stated that could have come from within the home's water pipes since the bottom of hot water heaters also have iron sediment. Utility Supervisor Nelson reviewed the process to inspect the interior of the City's water towers, which is done about once in five years. He explained there can be up to six feet of ice within a water tower during winter months. During those months, the water tower is filled about half full to ensure the ice does not damage the interior. He also explained how the level in the water towers fluctuates during heavy water demand. Utility Supervisor Nelson itemized the types of tests performed on the water every day per State requirements to assure it meets guidelines. He stated in April, the yearly consumer confidence report will be published and indicated Ramsey has always done very well. Utility Supervisor Nelson stated a computer monitors the City's water and sewer functions including filling the water towers, assuring proper levels, security of the facility, and alerting if there is a power outage, water main break, high or low water levels. Utility Supervisor Nelson showed the Committee several water meters and explained the features of each. The City now reads its own meters in house through a hand-held reader and can complete that process in one day. He explained the other types of events the reading program can detect such as no water use, meters that are tampered with or reversed, and water leaks. He noted that 100 to 150 gallons of water use per day is considered to be normal. Public Works Committee/March 15, 2016 Page 2 of 8