By Annie Santor
Akron Bugle Staff writer
(Annie is an intern through SUNY Institute for Local News and a SUNY Brockport student.)
Several Village of Akron water customers expressed frustration and concern about what they described as ongoing water issues in the Village of Akron at the village board meeting on June 1.
The Village of Akron water distribution system was installed in 1926, serving the community for 100 years. In the 1990s the original 14.2-mile-long main line stretching from Bennington, New York, south of Darien Lake to the Village of Akron water tank on Crittenden Road was replaced with PVC pipe. The tank holds 750,000 gallons, about a two-day supply for routine needs of village water customers.
Community members alerted the board of ongoing issues of discolored water in their homes, citing that it is brown or yellow on a frequent basis, one resident lamenting that it is never clear.
As the meeting opened with public comment, community member Jennifer Hassenbohler asked the board what is being done to fix the water problem. She stated that she is newer to the community and that other communities do not experience this problem. “This doesn’t happen at anyone’s house. No one’s water is yellow”, Hassenbohler said.
Discoloration of the water results when turbulence in the system stirs up sedimentation within the pipes. Recently the system was agitated as the water department worked with valves to regulate water in the system when an obstruction in the water intake reduced waterflow from the plant.
Trustee Peter Forrestel gave a summary of that situation. While working to remove the obstruction, water plant operators discovered that a large fish became stuck in the water plant intake. While fixing the problem, operators opened and closed valves at the intake plant to break down the fish into smaller parts.
During this work, water had to be cut off into the village. The parts of the fish were stopped at the filtration plant, never entering the village water. Opening and closing of the valves created sudden rushes of water stirring sedimentation, resulting in some discoloration of the water.
The discoloration remained until the system was flushed. Multiple tests for water safety
were completed and the water supply to village residents continued to be safe.
PVC pipe in some parts of the system has less sedimentation, however there are still sections of pipe within the village that are original and have more sediment that mixes with the water when agitated. Valves can also produce sediment according to information shared with residents during the meeting.
Mayor Brian Perry gave an overview of the Village water plant and record of producing quality water. The water is tested for dozens of containments to ensure safety and compliance with Health Department standards.
Perry emphasized that the water itself is completely safe to drink. Perry explained that the system has aged over the 100 years and discussed how sections of the water distribution system are replaced and improved in sections as roads are rebuilt. Perry says the board is aware of the areas where the distribution system is the worst, including East Ave, a county road which Erie County plans to rebuild within the next few years. Perry noted ongoing communication between Erie County and the Village as they work together to plan to rebuild the road and section of the water distribution and sanitary sewer
systems.
Perry explained the importance of getting grants to fund this project and reviewed funding already in place which includes a 2.125% interest rate on three million dollars toward the East Avenue water infrastructure project, projected to cost that amount, and a WIIA grant of $2,700,000 and zero percent interest loan of $2,715,000 toward the $5,415,000 East Avenue sewer infrastructure project.
A water tank upgrade designed to extend the life of the tower and to address some residual issues that surface when the organics naturally occurring in the water stay in contact with chlorine for an extended period of time is in process. A DWSRF grant of $4,550,000.00 and zero percent loan of $1,950,000.00 is in place for the water tank upgrade project which is expected to cost $6,500,000.
“It’s a constant upgrade, maintenance on any system is always happening. If were not replacing lines every year we are falling behind,” Perry said.
Jon Cummings, Manager of Public Works, assured those in attendance that there is a plan of action to fix these ongoing issues.
“Upgrades that are coming are going to make a difference. Is the water still going to be brown sometimes? Yea, it’s an old system”, said Cummings. The Board continues to move forward with water system improvements and finding grant dollars to help defray the local cost. The project on East Ave is planned to start next year.
Trees removed
Three trees were removed from Russell Park when their condition raised concerns for safety. Other trees, possibly including a disease resistant Elm tree, will be planted to replace the chestnut trees which were removed.
Action items
The board accepted membership for new fireman Joseph Graham.
Landscaping around the GAR civil war monument and new flagpole, including new pavers matching those used at the amphitheater in Russell Park was approved for completion by July 4. The price for installation is $5,200 and the price for the bricks is $3,100.
