Council Focus Moves To Water Issues, Preparation For October Flushing

The Woonsocket City Council will turn their focus to water issues at City Hall tonight, with discussion of a soon-to-begin water flushing program, rate filings with the state's Public Utilities Commission and acquisition of land for a new water treatment plant. A new resolution will also be proposed by Council President John Ward which will give Mayor Leo Fontaine the authority to purchase land for the site of Woonsocket's new plant.

The first item on the agenda for the 7 p.m. meeting is discussion of the city's water distribution flushing program. Although pipes are flushed yearly in most towns, Woonsocket's water system in nearly a decade. The Public Works Department has been , under the direction of Director Sheila McGauvran, for the past several months.

According to a press release from the water department, the Woonsocket Water Division will be performing a "Unidirectional Flushing Program" between Oct. 3, 2011 and Nov. 25, 2011. Approximately 10% of the city’s pipes are expected to be flushed during the two month span, which will take place when the system is used least: between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly.

The Water Department states that customers will not experience an interruption in water service, but some homes may experience a "temporary slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water." Under most circumstances, running faucets for a short time after the flushing is completed will clear any discoloration in the water. The discolored water does not reportedly pose a health hazard, but iron (red water) and manganese (black water) may be stirred up during the flushing procedures. If the discolored water does not clear up after running your tap for a few minutes or creates staining on the porcelain and laundry, residents can call Woonsocket Water Division at (401) 767-1410 for additional assistance.

The administration will also discuss Public Utilities Commission water rate filings. The RIPUC regulates for-profit water supply utilities as well as municipal water utility boards including the Woonsocket Water Department and typically must approve any rate changes.

The council will then go into executive session to discuss acquisition of land for a water treatment plant. Woonsocket is under deadline by the Department of Environmental Management to upgrade the city's facilities, improving the quality of drinking water and eliminating pollutants that are currently discharged into the Blackstone River by March of 2013.

A , with the help of consultants from Camp Dresser and McKee (CDM,) met between February and June of 2011 to examine options for the new facility. Their site recommendation was chosen in June, although in order to allow city officials to negotiate a deal for land acquisition.

Immediately following the work sessions, the council will have a special meeting to authorize Fontaine to negotiate and enter into a purchase and sale agreement for the site. According to the resolution, the council has discussed the water board's recommendation and after additional input from administration and the city's consultants, is ready to execute an agreement for the land.