Water Department Updates - NOV 6, 2024 - County Briefing

Water Department Update: Progress at North Fork Reservoir – November 6, 2024

The County Briefing on November 6th focused primarily on updates regarding the ongoing challenges at the North Fork reservoir, a critical source of water for our community. The meeting provided encouraging news regarding improvements in water quality and infrastructure, signaling a positive trend toward resolving the recent turbidity issues. No formal votes were taken during this portion of the briefing, but important decisions regarding treatment strategies were made.

The primary focus was on the significant reduction in turbidity, which measures water cloudiness. As of this morning, levels have fallen below 18 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), a substantial improvement from previous readings. While the website reading of 18.8 NTU reflects the highest level recorded over the past 24 hours, this demonstrates a clear downward trend. Alongside turbidity reduction, officials reported successful reductions in chlorination levels, now at 2.5 parts per million (ppm), moving closer to the target range of 1.5-1.8 ppm. Notably, the reservoir's capacity to deliver treated water has doubled in the last week, now capable of pushing 17 million gallons per day into our system. This increase is largely thanks to the completion of three new transmission mains by TNK Utilities, a project completed in just 36 days despite access challenges. Officials specifically acknowledged the swift and valuable assistance of TNK Utilities in completing this vital infrastructure upgrade.

The meeting also highlighted the upcoming Army Corps of Engineers project, currently on schedule to begin in late November or early December. The Water Department will provide updates as this project progresses, which is expected to further improve the long-term stability of our water supply. To address immediate concerns, Estate Management Services from Brunswick, Georgia will begin daily treatment of the reservoir starting next week. This treatment will continue until the supply of chemicals runs out, currently estimated to last at least four days.

There was no public comment or community input during the Water Department update portion of this meeting. However, officials emphasized that continued monitoring is crucial to ensure sustained progress. They cautioned that adverse weather conditions like high winds or heavy rainfall could potentially impact these improvements, while slow, steady rainfall would be beneficial.

Looking ahead, the Water Department has ordered additional aluminum sulfate and caustic soda to support ongoing treatment efforts. Residents should be aware that progress remains contingent on favorable conditions, including continued reductions in turbidity and reservoir levels. The County will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves, particularly regarding the Army Corps of Engineers project. This progress represents a significant step towards restoring normal operations at North Fork and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community.