Large water loss in Pine Cove

The Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) Board of Directors met Wednesday
April 10 where General Manager Jeremy Potter’s report showed an area of
concern: water losses of 26%. The target is below 10%. He called the
loss “really high” and attributed it to leaks, two of which had been
discovered Monday. Those two could account for most of the loss, Potter
said, and staff were continuing a listening survey, finding a third leak
that morning. Potter later told the Crier that by Thursday, April 11,
all three leaks had been located, dug up and fixed.

Three crew members are back working on meter replacement. Once the
entire system has been updated with the new “smart” wireless meters,
leaks will be spotted more quickly. Now they may only show up when the
bimonthly report is drafted. Potter said the replacement project is on
book four of seven, so is over half finished.

Even with the leaks, March usage was down slightly from the last two
years; ratepayers’ conservation efforts being helped by wet winters.
The district’s monitoring well, static well #10, has begun to rise, up
0.62 feet, to 74.45 feet. As high country snow melts, the well is
expected to continue rising, but snow pack is low this year.

The Dutch Flats treatment plant is out of service, awaiting a
replacement for its original pump controller. The plant is mostly used
during summer. It serves five wells, and the water is then pumped
uphill into storage. Potter is planning work on two wells that have
been offline for many years. Well #26 has been offline because of iron
bacteria. These bacteria are not harmful to humans, but can clog and
otherwise damage well equipment, and give water bad odor and taste. It
will be cleaned and tested.

The other well, #17, was taken offline over 15 years ago due to
bacteria, possibly from Buckhorn Camp’s septic leach system. Buckhorn
has long since fixed its system, and the well will be cleaned and
inspected, provided with new wiring, and given a standard Bac-T
bacteriological test before returning it to service.

The board passed a resolution to continue standby fees at $30 per acre
or a portion thereof. This is an annual formality, and the public will
be allowed to weigh in at a public hearing during the June 12
director’s meeting. The next scheduled meeting is 10 a.m. Wednesday,
May 8.