(Terril)– The Terril City Council Monday evening heard an update on the city’s water situation. It comes after the city put out an advisory Saturday informing residents the city’s tap water is unsafe to drink due to high levels of manganese. That advisory remains in effect and council members learned Monday evening it could remain in place up to another couple of days as a special testing procedure needs to be done by a specially certified laboratory.
Meanwhile, we’re learning more into the possible cause that triggered the do not drink advisory. Brian Klein, a licensed technician who’s overseeing the city of Terril’s water system, told the council it was a combination in what’s been a series of bugs being worked out with the city’s new water treatment plant. He says Saturday’s problem stemmed from a combination of factors that impacted the plant’s filtering system…
Klein says it’s part of a learning curve with the new plant.
Meanwhile, the ongoing issues with the new $1.4 million plant had councilman Austin Fairchild expressing frustration…
When asked if he feels the general contractor on the new water plant has now abandoned the project with still a number of items on a punch list that remain to be resolved, Klein responded by saying yes. Mayor Mark Lair told residents the city’s hands were tied when it came to the contractor due to regulations involved in a federal grant the city received for the project…
City officials say it also prevented them from hiring what’s known as a Construction Manager At Risk who would have overseen the project on the city’s behalf.
Discussion then turned to whether residents of Terril should be reimbursed on their water bills for the inconvenience from previous boil orders and now the current advisory. The acting City Clerk said it is her recommendation the council NOT explore that, saying it would be a very tedious process, with the average customer only receiving a very small reimbursement. Councilman Fairchild said he agrees with that, adding he understands the inconvenience and frustration with Terril’s ongoing water woes…
Fellow council members agreed with Fairchild.
Meanwhile, they say they’re grateful to the residents of Terril for their patience as the issues continue.
