THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996 TAG: 9610090421
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 62 lines
City Council approved a $4.4 million bid to upgrade the aging water plant, but not without a loud objection from one councilman who wants the more expensive and more up-to-date reverse-osmosis system.
``We're throwing away four and half million dollars on a system that's already outdated,'' Councilman Zack Robertson said in an interview Tuesday. ``Reverse osmosis is the way to go.''
The first major renovation of the water plant in almost 20 years will convert the plant from a coagulation system to a lime-softening system. The city will receive $850,000 toward the cost in grant money through a community development block grant. The contract was awarded to Mid Eastern Builders Inc. of Chesapeake, Va.
``There will be more water available and less likelihood for water-shortage emergencies,'' said Bart Van Nieuwenhuise, interim public works director. ``The water quality will be drastically improved. . . . And the water will be softer. People will be able to use less soap, dishwashing liquid and shampoo.''
The plan was approved Monday night, and city residents can expect better water in about 15 months when the project nears completion, he said.
``They may see some improvements sooner as stages of installation progress,'' said Van Nieuwenhuise.
Rates will go up from $3.65 per 1,000 gallons to $4.69 per 1,000 gallons including a 47-cent surcharge for the upgrading costs. In three years, the rates will drop to $4.22.
Van Nieuwenhuise said the plant will produce 4.5 million gallons a day, enough for the next 20 to 25 years depending on the city's growth.
But Robertson is certain that the shallow wells now used are not adequate for more than five years. Engineers from the firm of Piedmont, Olsen and Hensley, who designed the water plant improvements, advised the city to upgrade now and go to reverse osmosis later.
``I don't really trust engineers that much,'' said Robertson, who said the city has been burned in the past by outside engineering firms.
Reverse osmosis requires deep wells of 800 or more feet and sophisticated equipment that could cost $12 to $15 million, Robertson said.
``I know we can't do that right now, but I just wanted to get started,'' said Robertson. ``You can put in layers as you go.''
Van Nieuwenhuise and the other council members also support reverse osmosis, but engineers convinced them that the water plant could have a major breakdown at any time. Patching the system will not work any more, engineers said.
`` `Patching' is a kind word,'' Van Nieuwenhuise said of repairs on the water plant over the years.
In August, representatives from several counties in northeastern North Carolina met to hear about a study on the costs and benefits of reverse osmosis. The Albemarle Commission and the Northeast Economic Development Commission paid for the study. Dare County has already built some reverse-osmosis systems.
Dare, Currituck, Camden and Pasquotank counties and Elizabeth City all expressed interest in establishing one regional water authority using deep wells and reverse osmosis.
``Depending on the direction of the council, reverse osmosis will be a reality within five to 10 years,'' said Van Nieuwenhuise.
``My gut feeling is that reverse osmosis is the way to go,'' Robertson said. ``It's the way of the future.'' by CNB