9051_LGP_MechanicFalls_2024AnnualReport_Web

WATER DEPARTMENT

WATER DEPARTMENT

The Mechanic Falls Water Department 2024 The Mechanic Falls Water Department 2024

Hello once again from all of us here at the water department. When we were not out shoveling hydrants, fixing freeze ups, and making sure our daily and weekly routines were accomplished over the Hello once again from all of us here at the water department. When we were not out shoveling hydrants, fixing freeze ups, and making sure our daily and weekly routines were accomplished over the

winter months, Matt and Derek spent time taking classes and studying for their licensing tests. I am happy to report that Derek passed his treatment portion and now is licensed on both the distribution and treatment side. Matt also passed his distribution portion and will be working towards his treatment license in early 2025. Michelle and I worked with Maine Rural Water Association on the development of a business continuity plan. This plan is established to ensure the department can and will run smoothly during and after a multitude of emergencies that could occur. As we moved into spring, we had two leaks to deal with right off the bat. Both were service leaks, one on our side of the service and the other on the customer's side. Unfortunately, we had an employee out with a non-work-related injury over this time and for several more weeks after that which introduced another challenge to adjust to. Elm Street was slated to be paved so we wanted to ensure all our service shut offs and our gates operated correctly so that we would not have to dig them after the paving was done. We got on all of them and made sure they turned, we did have to dig and replace a few. As the paving date approached, we cut all our gate boxes out and added extensions to raise them to the top of the new pavement. Over the spring, we also completed our annual flushing program, started our annual hydrant painting and maintenance and our gate check program. During the summer months, we continued with our flow testing that we have been doing over the last few years to have more accurate data. Once flow testing is done, we must re paint hydrants to the appropriate NFPA colors. We continued with our lead service line inventory for the EPA and on GPS locating service boxes, both have been major projects and very time consuming over the last couple of years. We have been in the process of changing all our chemical pumps so that they are the same, this was finally accomplished. However shortly after we got the last one in there was a warranty issue and we had to take one out at a time to send back and have the issue replaced, both the sales company and manufacturer were great to deal with. Logging at the pump station also took place over late summer, this happens every 10 years or so and brings in some revenue for us. The revenue from this will go back into the infrastructure, this time on Highland Avenue which is expected to take place in September of 2025. In the summer of 2024 one of our favorites retired from the public works department. We want to thank Scott (Poon) Penney for all his winter months, Matt and Derek spent time taking classes and studying for their licensing tests. I am happy to report that Derek passed his treatment portion and now is licensed on both the distribution and treatment side. Matt also passed his distribution portion and will be working towards his treatment license in early 2025. Michelle and I worked with Maine Rural Water Association on the development of a business continuity plan. This plan is established to ensure the department can and will run smoothly during and after a multitude of emergencies that could occur. As we moved into spring, we had two leaks to deal with right off the bat. Both were service leaks, one on our side of the service and the other on the customer's side. Unfortunately, we had an employee out with a non-work-related injury over this time and for several more weeks after that which introduced another challenge to adjust to. Elm Street was slated to be paved so we wanted to ensure all our service shut offs and our gates operated correctly so that we would not have to dig them after the paving was done. We got on all of them and made sure they turned, we did have to dig and replace a few. As the paving date approached, we cut all our gate boxes out and added extensions to raise them to the top of the new pavement. Over the spring, we also completed our annual flushing program, started our annual hydrant painting and maintenance and our gate check program. During the summer months, we continued with our flow testing that we have been doing over the last few years to have more accurate data. Once flow testing is done, we must re paint hydrants to the appropriate NFPA colors. We continued with our lead service line inventory for the EPA and on GPS locating service boxes, both have been major projects and very time consuming over the last couple of years. We have been in the process of changing all our chemical pumps so that they are the same, this was finally accomplished. However shortly after we got the last one in there was a warranty issue and we had to take one out at a time to send back and have the issue replaced, both the sales company and manufacturer were great to deal with. Logging at the pump station also took place over late summer, this happens every 10 years or so and brings in some revenue for us. The revenue from this will go back into the infrastructure, this time on Highland Avenue which is expected to take place in September of 2025. In the summer of 2024 one of our favorites retired from the public works department. We want to thank Scott (Poon) Penney for all his

pg. 34

pg. 34 pg. 34