Sprinkler work causes water quality issues in Swansea

SWANSEA — The Board of Water Commissioners heard complaints from residents who suffered water quality issues traced to a company doing work on sprinklers at Swansea Crossing.

Ten people attended the Water District meeting last Tuesday, July 9, seeking answers to the water problem that took place the week before. Chairman James Hall and Commissioner Brian Clark had been made aware of the issue by Superintendent Jeffrey Sutherland.

Supt. Sutherland noted that there had been complaints about the water quality that began last week and an investigation was started.

“Before July 1 it looked like we had it under control,” Sutherland said, citing the water quality in town.

He noted that the investigation found that on July 1 a company had been testing sprinklers at Swansea Crossing (across from the Swansea Mall) and that the testing included opening and closing 11 hydrants.

Supt. Sutherland explained that when there are plans to use hydrants, the Water District is made aware and proper procedures are used. He pointed out that there is a method to opening hydrants that takes time, but reduces disruptions.

The superintendent told the audience that, in this case, the hydrants were opened and closed in rapid succession, resulting in the velocity of water volume changing, dislodging the manganese, iron and calcium concentrate on the walls of the pipes.

In addition, there was a service leak reported the following day (July 2) on Wood Street. Sutherland felt that might also have been influenced by the changes in water pressure as the hydrant testing was being done.

He added that they tracked the calls to determine when the disruption might have taken place and narrowed it down to Monday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The sprinkler work at Swansea Crossing took place between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Hall asked the audience if any had called the office regarding the water quality and only one had. He noted that, while much of the water quality issues can be traced to the desalination process, this was not the case. He noted that the Water District can take calls 24/7 and that they have been cataloging the incidences in order to get a better idea where the disruptions are taking place. The chairman pointed out that the information is used by the District when it goes about the business of clearing pipes. The District has approximately 123 miles of pipe and they would like to hear from the public directly rather than read posts on social media when there is an issue. He noted that the posts on social media are often wrong or overstated.

The water commissioners have been aggressive in addressing the water quality issues, including the use of ice pigging where ice was forced through the pipes to clear out the minerals in them. The chairman noted that the District plans more ice pigging in the fall in the area of Oak Street, Vinnicum Road and Locust Street. Earlier, they did Old Fall River Road out to Bushee Road.

The incident at Swansea Crossing was felt by residents down on Pearse Road as well as Anthony Avenue and Puffer Avenue in Ocean Grove, as the slug continued along the pipes. It was noted that seven days later, the District was receiving a complaint on Gardners Neck Road.

Hall gave a history of the water issues and some ways to address the problem including draining a hot water tank where the minerals may settle. They also suggested turning on the outdoor faucet for a period until the water is clear. Chairman Hall noted that he ran the faucet outside one home for approximately eight minutes until the water was clear.

Sutherland noted that the fines for those who open hydrants without notifying the District should be increased. They are currently $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second. He pointed out that they should review fines of $500 to $1,000 considering the amount of time and effort it takes to “chase down” the locations where the disruption started. Sutherland noted that it took a week to track down this disruption source. He plans to draft an amendment to the fines that would be voted at the annual District meeting in May.

Meanwhile, Hall emphasized that anyone who is having an issue with water quality should call the Water District office or go online to Swanseawaterdistrict.com. He again pointed out that the Water District has a very good crew of workers and do respond to complaints.