ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610030097
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
Foul-smelling water in a small area of Vinton may be caused by stagnation in some lines, and the solution may be to let the water flow gushingly.
Kevin Boggess, Vinton's associate planner who is trying to trace the odor's source, told Vinton Town Council this week that several situations point to stagnation:
*Residents in the small area of Bowman Addition, where the odor is noticeable, use only a small amount of water.
*Some of the water mains have spur lines with dead ends. This creates standing water that gets hot in the summer, setting up conditions for odor-producing elements to develop.
*Water pipes in that area are up to 70 years old and may have considerable sediment inside them.
Boggess said chemical tests so far have failed to turn up any other cause of the odor. The tests have shown that the water is safe to use.
A short-term solution to the odor problem, Boggess said, would be to open all faucets wide to draw out stagnant water.
A long-term solution would be to replace the lines and not have any dead-end spurs. Secondary lines should be in loops, he said, so water will continue flowing.
Boggess said he is investigating the situation.
On another matter, Town Manager Clay Goodman reminded council members that a series of public meetings would be held Oct. 15-17 to get citizen input on possible uses of the McDonald Farm property on Hardy Road.
The 100-acre tract is owned by Vinton, but is outside the town in Roanoke County.
Both the town and county want to turn the property over to private ownership, but there is a question about how it could be best used.
The land is zoned residential, but county officials want to get citizen input on other possible uses.
The public meetings will be held at the Vinton Senior Center from 7 to 9 each night.
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