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Below is a list of events that most often trigger a discolored water complaint: <br /> <br />· <br />· <br />· <br />· <br />· <br />· <br /> <br />Flushing/valve maintenance <br />Water trucks/filling <br />Operation changes or scheduled maintenance <br />Emergency shutdowns <br />Fire flow <br />Accident or main breaks <br /> <br />Current City Practice <br /> <br />Attached to this case is a memo from Parks/Utility Supervisor, Mark Boos, that explains <br />our current program to ensure the customers of Ramsey's water system a continuous <br />supply of clean water during normal operation. Although flushing generates the most <br />complaints for discolored water, it is also essential to control the amount of iron and <br />manganese in our pipes and as mentioned in his memo, also essential for a successful <br />valve maintenance program. <br /> <br />In addition to the flushing program that is discussed in above mentioned memo, we <br />introduce a liquid polyphosphate into the water supply to sequester the iron and <br />manganese. This sequestration tends to keep the particles in dissolved form but does not <br />remove the iron and manganese from the water. Eventually, residual iron and manganese <br />builds up in the pipes and needs to be flushed. This residual seems to build up more <br />frequently in the areas of the system that have longer detention times such as dead end <br />lines. <br /> <br />We also ensure that contractors of Capital Improvement projects notify residents and <br />customer service personnel, in advance, about activities that could alter the water system. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br />The following alternatives could help increase customer satisfaction and are also <br />mentioned in the text of the attached letter from Bolton & Menk. <br /> <br />The ultimate solution to the problem would be the addition of an iron/manganese <br />treatment plant to remove these particles before entering into the system. This alternative <br />is costly but will likely be a topic to be discussed in the not too distant future due to the <br />discussions being held at the federal level. <br /> <br />Water trucks should be filled from designated hydrants that are supplied by larger pipes. <br />This will cut down on the flow variation that was mentioned earlier as a cause of <br />complaints. <br /> <br /> <br />