Water pressure and other concerns voiced at city meeting
By Brooke Pankonin
Grant Tribune Sentinel
Grant City Councilman Matt Greenwood said at the city meeting on June 27 that he’s been approached by several people in all quadrants of town about reduction of water pressure.
He said the water coming out of the 4-inch line at his place of work has slowed down immensely since the water meter was installed.
He thought the problem might resolve itself once water meter installation was complete, but he said that doesn’t seem to be the case. City Superintendent Dana Harris confirmed that the installation phase is basically finished.
Harris responded that if anyone was having problems with water pressure, to call the city office and they would send Myers Construction over to look at it. She said there have been a few cases where there was gravel in the lines.
She said City Engineer Tom Werblow will be here in a couple weeks for a review of the system, where he will check the pressure of hydrants, etc.
Greenwood asked Harris to have Werblow contact him when he is in town.
Joe Borowski, who lives in the Northside Water Extension District, said they are also having problems with water pressure and volume.
He said they have the wrong water lines going from the main to the meters.
Northside resident Randy Musick showed the council examples of the 1-inch tubing being installed and the alternative tubing they feel should have been installed. He also provided an information sheet including the measurements of each tube and a water pressure chart. He said at 50 psi (pounds per square inch,) he personally has 30 GPM (gallons per minute) where before he had over 70 GPM.
Borowski said use of the alternative tubing should’ve been mandatory.
Mike Johnston of the Northside District said he has pressure meters in his RV, and has lost somewhere between 12-15 percent.
Johnston also shared he believes the animosity and bitter relationship that has been established with the city could have been avoided. He feels the city should’ve gotten together and talked with those involved in the water situation instead of sending “those nasty letters.”
(On Feb. 8, letters were sent with a March 1 deadline to members of the Northside Water District as well as three south side residents. The letter informed them their water lines did not meet city specs and gave them the option to upgrade their water systems at their own costs or share one meter and be billed as a whole group.)
Johnston shared concerns of being told he could not view the city superintendent’s contract, not being able to get on the agenda and Harris being reimbursed for expenses that did not have receipts.
“Why? Why have we established such an adversarial relationship between the administration and the rest of the city in Grant?” Johnston asked.
“We need to think about draining the swamp in our city administration."