Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994 TAG: 9401260100
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The questionnaires and in-person visits to large water users by a yet-to-be-hired inspector will be part of Radford's water-system cross connection and backflow prevention program.
The state-required program is aimed at preventing water-supply contamination via direct connections with equipment or machinery that could introduce foreign substances into the water system. All water systems are supposed to have approved programs in place.
City Council finally agreed to pay for the program Monday night, but not without considerable reluctance. After Councilman David Worrell moved to approve the $41,000 Montgomery had requested for the program, several seconds passed until Councilman Bob Nicholson seconded. Worrell subsequently amended his motion to appropriate the minimal amount needed to implement the program and comply with the law.
Montgomery said he thought the program could be set up for less.
Councilwoman Polly Corn, the only one voting against the motion tried, several times to slash the appropriation.
"I'm still not 100 percent convinced there isn't some alternative," she said.
Councilman Gary Weddle voted "reluctantly, yes."
Council members also repeated their concerns about the state's failure to fund mandates on local governments.
"I understand the concern with mandates, but we're looking at public health," Montgomery told council. "We need to protect the general public."
He said the cost this fiscal year, which ends in June, would be far lower than the original $41,000 request. That included money for a new computer system, a vehicle, and a new inspector's salary. He estimated the continuing annual cost at around $20,000.
The state cited the city last January for not having a water-system cross connection and backflow prevention program already in place.
Under the program, an inspector will check the city's 5,000 water connections to make sure there's no way for harmful substances to be drawn back into the water supply. Montgomery said the program, which could require water users to install special devices to keep foreign substances of the water supply, would mostly affect business and industrial customers.
Public education is the key to the success of the program, he said Tuesday. "I don't want anybody sick or dead."
Montgomery has said the potential for illness or even death exists because of direct water supply connections to such things as hot tubs and photo-finishing equipment.
When a Radford woman complained that her water was "burning her mouth" earlier this year, Montgomery's investigation turned up a failed backflow device in the convenience store downstairs. The problem allowed carbon dioxide from a soda fountain canister into the drinking water. Under the program, the water department will target places where the hazard potential is greatest. That includes hospitals, medical offices, mortuaries, industries that use chemicals and schools.
Montgomery told council he wants the program to have `the least impact" on customers. "We really want to be fair about this," he said.
In other business, Mayor Tom Starnes promised to "put the fire truck issue to rest one way or the other" at a special work session next Monday on upgrading the city's complement of fire vehicles. At issue is how to provide a second reliable pumper truck to replace one of two aging units.
A new truck is expected to arrive next month, but Worrell said the city "desperately needs another truck."
by CNB