During Sodaville’s Oct. 24 City Council meeting, Public Works Director J.D. Burns informed the council of a 15% water loss from the previous month and warned that aging pipes throughout the city may begin to break down soon.
Burns said a majority of the water loss was due to a 40,000 gallon, 30-plus foot geyser-style leak after a saddle atop a water main broke apart behind someone’s property.
“Most of your water systems have been in for 45 years, so all of them are probably getting close to this,” he said as he showed the saddle top to the council. “They used a steel strap that was totally gone. The rocks and dirt were holding this together.”
Burns surmised that a mower went through and vibrated the rocks in the ditch, loosening up what bit of nature was holding the saddle on the main. After the leak was repaired, another pipe hit some days later on Ridge Street. His concern turned toward the age of the water pipes in Sodaville and what damage any freezing temperatures may cause to help “pop off” any similarly bound saddles.
During the meeting, the council approved a motion to draft a resolution declaring a state of emergency for water supply after hearing that the cities of Lebanon and Sweet Home had done so. The two cities had made the declaration to proactively address potential challenges to their water supply and quality stemming from the Green Peter Reservoir deep drawdown.
The precautionary step is expected to ensure that the cities are prepared to take swift action if any disruptions occur, thus safeguarding the health and safety of its residents. Since Sodaville relies on Lebanon for water, City Administrator/Recorder Molly McGuire questioned whether it would be in Sodaville’s best interest to also declare a state of emergency.
In the case that Sodaville is unable to get water from Lebanon, Burns said the City of Albany agreed Sodaville could go to them.
“That’s gonna cost a heck of a lot more in trucking for a lot less water,” he said, adding that he will also talk to the City of Brownsville.
In other business:
- McGuire reported during the Sept. 19 City Council meeting that Sodaville’s groundwater permit application for water rights on the Jackman property for well six has been submitted, and that it can take up to two years for processing and approval, but staff hope it can be pushed through faster given circumstances around grant funding timelines. At the October meeting, she updated the council that the permit has moved forward into the review process, with an estimated six to nine months for completion.
- McGuire reported she is continuing to work with Sean Tate and the SMAC-Oregon alliance (Small Municipalities Advocacy Coalition) regarding a state funded forgivable loan grant that would help Sodaville receive the last bits of funding needed to complete the well six project. It’s estimated the city will need an additional $145,000 after other grant funding is received to complete the project.
- McGuire reported in September that the city had a 3.5% water loss in August. The top water consumer in the past month used 16,023 gallons. She noted that the top 10% of highest water consumption users in August consumed 119,015 gallons, and the city began trucking in 116,583 gallons of water on Aug. 20.
- McGuire reported that CPI had lost one of three of its legs of power on Ridge Street. The city has a backup battery that can provide about one hour of power in case of emergency, but the incident raised a question about the city’s responsibility regarding boiled water notices in case they cannot keep the pressurized water system going. Councilmember Adina Oliveras asked why residents would need to boil their water.
“If the pressure drops below 20 psi on the pipes, there’s a potential for seepage to come back in from the ground and contaminate the pipes; so then you would have to put out a boil notice,” Burns explained.
As such, the city is looking into the cost for a new battery pack that would last three to five hours or more. - McGuire reported in September that a park restroom was closed due to vandalism (bodily fluids), and a basketball backboard was found broken.