Water updates (2: Apr 16 & Apr 17)

16 April 2018

Over this past weekend and through the Nor’easter we received yesterday, district technicians began flooding the seasonal water distribution system along with a measured dose of chlorine.  AT THIS TIME THE WATER IN THE SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION MAINS IS NOT SAFE TO DRINK!! .  A few unexpected problems have been uncovered during the filling/disinfecting process.
The seasonal  water feed for Squirrel Island was found to have a broken valve on the Spruce Point side which will be repaired today in preparation for flooding the Squirrel Island water main.
On Appalachee Road in Boothbay Harbor it was found that the water main was deliberately cut and rendered useless by unknown persons apparently in relation to an excavation project allegedly undertaken after seasonal shutdown.  The effort for repair will be considerable and time consuming in that not only was a section of the water main cut out, but the ends were then buried.   We hope to exploratory dig on the main as time allows this week, repair the water main, and continue with the start-up process.  This repair will not reestablish all services on that road, but will allow district personnel to prepare the water main  for the majority of residents  on the road with the final repairs to be made after we complete seasonal turn-on.
Eastside Road on Barters Island received plow damage which is accessible with crews working on that repair today, hopefully culminating in flooding and disinfection of this water main by days end.
The seasonal distribution system will be flushing over the next couple of days.  If you should see water coming from an open valve, that is normal.  If you should encounter a seasonal water main clearly damaged and spraying water, we here at the district would appreciate a call at 207-633-4723 so that we may repair it.
Overall we are in good shape and moving forward with seasonal startup, please check in here often to follow our progress….

2018 Seasonal Water Start-up Progress Report – 16 April 2018

17 April 2018

Good news, we were able to make considerable progress yesterday.   The problem we encountered on Appalachee Road in Boothbay was largely corrected as were the repairs on Eastside Road on Barters Island and the feed to Squirrel Island.  That said, a major problem was found with the Summit Road, Boothbay Harbor which we have scheduled for repair on 23 April 2018.
So far the entire system has been flooded, disinfected and heavily flushed with district technicians collecting water samples this morning to ensure the purity of the water.  The testing period, at the lab, is 24 -hours so we do not anticipate hearing any news until tomorrow.  If the samples come back negative (meaning the water in the mains meets all state and federal standards) we will begin fanning out within the district, establishing water service for our seasonal customers.  Today we are concentrating on establishing service to our seasonal customers off permanent water mains.  PLEASE STAY TUNED!!!!

2018 Seasonal Water Start-up Progress Report – 17 April 2018