Welcome summer! As I sit here contemplating the topic of this week’s column, I am listening to a phone conversation taking place in another part of the office – just one of many of the same phone calls and emails this week. “I saw a private contractor taking water from one of our fire hydrants. Can they do that?” Yes, they can – in controlled instances. I checked with Mark Decker, Colchester’s Public Works Director, about the process and thought I’d share it with you.
The Water Department has a process whereby pool water haulers and construction contractors can obtain water from a hydrant in a controlled manner. There is an application, vehicle inspection, and authorization process that are followed. Provided the withdrawal would not impact our system during periods of extreme high demand, drought conditions, etc., they are allowed to take water. There is a hydrant meter so we can record the volume taken and charge them for it. The selection of the hydrant on Cabin Road and the use of the hydrant meter and associated butterfly valve add additional control on the rate of withdrawal so as to minimize disruption on the system.
Regarding payment, Water and Sewer revenues and expenses are separate from the Town tax-based accounts – users of the system fund the system. A charge has been established to fully compensate the Department for the water, the inspection, equipment, and administrative time for billing.
While we are on the subject of the Water (and sewer) Department, this is a good time to bring you up to speed on some exciting developments that will help shape Colchester’s future.
The Taintor Hill Road Treatment Plant Improvement Project is nearing completion. Improvements at this facility will double the treatment capacity, providing the additional water needed for growth of the planned business park areas.
At the same time, consultants are being interviewed for design of a pumping station for the sewer line which moves Colchester’s waste to the Colchester/East Hampton Waste Water Treatment Plant in East Hampton. This new pump station will increase the pumping capabilities of the current system to handle the additional water use. With much thanks to Congressman Joe Courtney for his work on our behalf, a portion of this project is being paid for through a $500,000 federal grant.
And, while these physical improvements to the water and sewer infrastructure are in progress, we have submitted a $200,000 grant application to the State for completion of a Sewer and Water system master plan for expansion of these services to the new business park zones.
We are so appreciative when you inform us of things you observe in your daily travels – obviously we cannot be everywhere all the time and your assistance is very important as we work to provide the most efficient and effective services possible. As always, I look forward to meeting and hearing from you.
Have a great week!
Linda
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