Most of the city council members said they are experiencing the same discolored water in their homes as the town’s citizens.
The brand-new water-filtering system, recently installed to rid the town of arsenic that exceeded state guidelines, is not filtering the manganese and iron in the town’s newest water well that was put on line with the installation of the filtering system.
Robert Viera, with LNV Engineering, said he believes chlorination needs to occur on both sides of the filtering system.
Reddish-black, discolored water continues to flow from the town’s municipal water supply.
Even though many citizens believe the water is not potable, Mayor George Hernandez warned the council about giving credit on water bills, as one citizen requested.
“In his opinion, the water is not drinkable,” Hernandez said. “I caution the council about giving credits.”
Hernandez said credits will set a precedent when other problems arise with the sewer and garbage as well.
The council followed the mayor’s advice and voted against Fred Autry’s request. Autry was not at the meeting.
Maebeth Linney asked the council for assurance that the water is not hazardous. Linney brought pictures of her bathtub and washing machine filled with brackish water. The Linney home is located along the oldest cast iron water main along Locke Street.
“The water is clear at times but then it turns dark and has a sheen in it,” Linney said.
Viera, whose engineering firm was in charge of both the newest water well and the filtration system, said the manganese and iron from the water well are not a health hazard.
However, he said that some of the discoloration could be coming from old cast iron pipes.
“I don’t know about (the health hazards in) that,” he said.
In financial matters, the town’s auditor, Donald Goldman, gave the town the highest possible score.
“The town is in great shape and is moving in the right direction,” he said. “The town made a little bit of money; not a lot of money.”
The council also:
• Accepted Municipal Officer Rey DeLosSantos’ resignation and agreed to advertise for another officer.
• Set a minimum bid of $2,000 on property at 304 Holmes St., Lot 3, Block 16.
• Agreed to go out for bids on an aeration unit for the wastewater plant.
• Agreed to purchase a new backhoe.
• Reverted Albert Perez’s pay back to pre-interim supervisor status.
“I don’t know about (the health hazards in) that,” he said. Comment made by Robert Viera, the "V" in LNV Engineering, the firm Woodsboro paid to engineer the first well that failed to solve the problem, so the Council threw more money at him to solve the problem he exacerbated, so after all this time and money, his new answer is, "I don't know....." Perhaps a different engineering firm? No, let's give the same firm that has failed twice another contract with MORE money. Once again, our City leaders (LOL) will have failed us!!!!!!