Water Department
2008 Annual Report
The Water Department currently operates three gravel packed wells and combined they average 319,400 gallons pumped per day. We mailed the annual Water Quality Report to all customers describing the quality of drinking water they are receiving as well as some mandatory health effects language required by the EPA related to drinking water issues. We hope everyone had an opportunity to look at this report. If you need a copy or if you have any question concerning your drinking water, or would like to tour the facilities, please call the Water Department at 603-755-4883.
We have been replacing at least one worn out main gate valve on an annual basis and have started replacing one old hydrant per year in order to improve the operations of the distribution system. We cleaned the ten-inch water main on Bay Road and Main Street in order to increase the fire flows. The sprinkler design for the Opera House required 1200 gallon per minute (gpm) and we were able to meet this condition after cleaning the line and installing a new eight-inch water main from Main Street down Blouin Avenue into the Opera House. The Water Department also installed sixty feet of six-inch water main and a new hydrant at the end of Pearson Street so we can flush this water main.
All the businesses that are designated as Potential Contamination Sources (PCS’s) that are within our well head protection areas were visited and checked to see if they are in compliance with NHDES Best Management Practices for storing and using chemicals and fuel products.
Wastewater Department
2008 Annual Report
The Wastewater treatment facility continues to operate well despite high flows and aging equipment. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) average removal efficiency is 96.9% and the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) average removal efficiency is 95.6%. These removals are well above the required 85% minimum. The wastewater flows averaged 354.500 gallons per day. The flows for the past four years have been at or over design flow due to excessive infiltration and inflow ( I & I ) to the plan. This clean water comes from illegal sump pumps, cracked sewer pipes, leaking manhole frames and general deterioration of the pipe joints. We continue to check homes and businesses for sump pumps and we plan to conduct smoke testing in 2009 to determine if there are other sources of inflow that we can locate and remove.
The facility was constructed in 1976 and we continue to operate and maintain most of the original equipment. The new discharge permit received in July 2007 requires effluent quality standards for total phosphorus. Total copper, and ammonia-nitrogen that the existing plant was not designed to meet. The Town received an Administrative Order for the EPA in April 2008 requiring the Town to come into compliance by June 2012.
The Board of Selectmen and staff have held numerous meetings to discuss what are the best alternatives for a new plant, what to do with the treated effluent, and how to repair the collection system. These decisions have culminated in this year’s Warrant Article asking for $12.6 million to design and construct all the facilities needed to be in compliance with the EPA Administrative Order in 2012.
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