Pell City residents agree to monthly water meeting

Published 12:34 pm Thursday, August 2, 2012

Voices of concern filled the Pell City Senior Center Tuesday night as the city provided residents with an update of water problems that have been an ongoing issue since Dec. 2011.

During the meeting the city agreed to hold regular monthly meetings with residents to report on progress made by the city and give citizens an open forum to let city officials know about changes.

Firefighters were also on hand to provide residents with bottled water immediately following the meeting.

“We don’t know if you have a problem if you don’t call.” City Manager Patrick Draper told residents. “It’s in our best interest and in your best interest to rectify this situation.”

City officials listened as residents told them about personal experiences with foul smelling, discolored water and the inability to receive bottled water from the city when they needed it.

“Our interest is still as high as it ever was,” Mayor Bill Hereford said. 

Encouraging residents to take action, the city informed residents about ways to help the city work through the process of correcting the situation.  Residents requesting a water bill adjustment may fill out a form in person at city hall or access the form on the city’s website, www.epell.net and mail it in.  Individuals needing bottled water need to call the utility department.  Draper said he plans to appoint an individual to keep records of water requests and utility bill adjustments to make the process smoother.

City attorney John Rea told residents they had the option of filing an insurance claim against the city if they desired.

“The city turns claims over to the insurance company,” Rea said.  “The insurance company evaluates each claim individually.”  Residents wishing to file a claim may fill out a Notice of Claim form available at City Hall.

In April Pell City took back control of their water system from Coosa Valley Water Supply District.

“The city now has an infinite supply of water,” Draper said.  “We have an excellent water supply from multiple sources.

Byron Woods, an engineer for Municipal Consultants in Birmingham and a contracted engineer for Pell City said the water being tested was exceeding standard guidelines put in place by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the EPA.

“Test results have been good,” Woods said.  “The city is going above and beyond, doing testing throughout the system.”

Woods explained possible causes of the water problems, saying galvanized pipes in the older homes is a big culprit and stagnant water in those pipes causes corrosion.  The city is using zinc orthophosphate, a corrosion inhibitor that creates an eggshell coating on the pipes, to help eliminate corrosion problems. 

There is no hidden agenda. We are doing our best,” Woods said.

Woods asked residents to continue flushing their pipes by letting their water run for 48 hours to keep water from sitting in pipes.  Residents may also access ongoing water quality testing reports dating back to April on the city’s website under the utility department tab.

The next regular public water meeting is scheduled to be held on Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Pell City Senior Center.