NORTH SMITHFIELD – Members of the Town Council approved two contracts with Pare Corporation this week, hiring the company for engineering services related to inventory of the town’s water assets, as well as to evaluate the district’s treatment system following discovery last year of elevated levels of total trihalomethanes – or TTHMs.
The first contract, brought before the council by Water & Sewer Supt. William Descoteaux, will cost $78,400, with Pare to develop a digital GIS-based map and inventory of all Slatersville Water Supply assets.
Descoteaux noted that the water system, which serves around 1,500 residents, has changed hands over the years, leaving the town with incomplete knowledge of what it has in the ground.
“The records aren’t solid all the way through,” Descoteaux said. “It’s that way with water and sewer. We don’t really have an accurate account of what we have.”
Town Administrator Scott Gibbs noted the inventory initiative began with a discussion by the town’s Asset Management Commission.
“In my opinion, the biggest risk the town has is the one associated with that water infrastructure,” said Gibbs. “We just don’t really know what the town has.”
Under the contract, Pare will locate pipes, hydrants, valves, wells, pump stations and services; create a comprehensive map; and recommend a software platform for the town’s future tracking.
“That’s very useful information,” Descoteaux said, noting currently, the department only has scattered maps left behind from various projects. “If somebody calls up and says ‘can I tie in?’ I could spend hours looking for things.”
Asset Management Commission Chairman Paul Nordstrom said he thought the contract with Pare was a great place to start.
“Having been involved with wastewater utility for many years, your biggest fear is you don’t know what’s under the ground, and that’s what keeps you up at night,” Nordstrom said.
Descoteaux said the information can be used to help determine what areas of the system need the most attention, and is the first step in planning for what may have to be replaced.
“This may open our eyes to something we don’t want to know, but at least we’re going to have all of the information we need to move forward,” said Council President Kimberly Alves. “This is great.”
A second contract approved on Monday will allow Pare to analyze the town’s water quality and system operations, and evaluate the cause of an elevated level of TTHMs discovered last year. Disinfection byproducts created when organic matter that occurs naturally in the water is introduced to chlorine, TTHMs are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Over a certain period of time, warmer weather really helps to make this chemical reaction happen,” Descoteaux said, noting a sample from the Comstock tank taken in July exceeded the EPA’s allowable limits. “This is really common is the summer.”
The problem is less to occur with moving water but the tank, he noted, was designed to fight fire, and holds 1 million gallons.
“That tank only turns over every 21 days, so it’s a lot of time for that water to create this disinfection byproduct,” Descoteaux said.
Under the contract for $117,600, Pare will analyze system operations and look for ways to improve water circulation and freshness.
“I’m pretty confident in what we do with the water. I don’t think they’re going to be able to make any improvements on what we’re doing right now,” he said. “I think we’re doing everything we need to be doing in terms of delivering safe water.”
The superintendent said Pare is likely, however, to recommend and design an aeration system that removes the byproduct. If the solution is in order, the firm will provide bid documents for the system.
Neither of the water initiatives come with a current rate increase for customers.
“We definitely do need to look at the rates. There’s no doubt about it – just not quite yet,” Descoteaux said.
The council unanimously approved both contracts with the firm.
