Though a crisis in the local water supply has subsided, Wrangell remains in a state of conservation through most of the rest of summer.
The City and Borough Assembly formally declared a state of disaster in a special meeting held July 19, after ready water reserves had fallen to a fraction of capacity. Problems with the water treatment plant’s filtration process meant supply could not keep up with demand, and early last week local seafood processors and the wider public were asked to reduce consumption.
Efficiencies undertaken by both processors and city departments, as well as a planned water shutoff early Sunday, have helped regain reserves. As of Tuesday, the city reported its two reserve tanks were nearly full again, at an estimated 821,000 gallons.
“It has eased up a little, but we still need to conserve for the next 30 days,” said Borough Manager Jeff Jabusch.
While rainfall over the weekend may have helped fill the two reservoirs, it did not directly impact the plant’s problems, which have more to do with sediment build-up inside the plant’s filtration system itself. After the plant was first brought online, it was discovered its slow sand filtration method was better suited for cleaner ground water than for surface sources.
The organic material which is found in the reservoirs’ water builds up much more quickly than intended, causing filters to need changing more frequently and so slowing the production of treated water. Rather than being cleaned on a quarterly basis, they are instead having to be changed out every four or five days.
Replacing the sand in the filters would likely help, but the city estimates the cost to do so could run into the $500,000 range. Changing it out on a more regular basis would require a substantial rate increase in order to keep within budget.
In its ongoing updates at the http://www.wrangell.com site, the city reported emergency funding from the state would not be forthcoming as the problem did not qualify as a natural disaster. However, Wrangell’s problem has been referred to various departments for resources and technical suggestions.
The supply problem has been long-standing, though worsening, and the city last year already began taking first steps toward replacing its existing treatment plant. In June 2015, the Assembly awarded CRW Engineering Group with a $149,306 contract to undertake a pilot study, paid for through a Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development grant.
The firm has subsequently taken samples of the island’s water supply, with an engineer arriving last week to set up a small-scale treatment plant potentially better suited to local conditions. The pilot study was already scheduled for this month, and Jabusch explained the specialist’s presence has been beneficial.
“They’ve got some ideas for more of a temporary fix until we can get a new plant built,” he said.
A near-term solution, looking at the next one to four years, would require modifying the present water treatment plant in order to boost its production and retention capabilities. At last week’s special meeting, the Assembly granted Jabusch authority to bypass procurement requirements in order to deal with the crisis.
In the longer term, from three to five years, the city will need to build a new treatment plant that works more efficiently with local water supplies. Jabusch explained the undertaking can cost an estimated $5 million, which would likely have to come from outside sources.
“We’ve been talking to some grant sources that may be willing to help us,” he said. Federal grant sources are the likeliest source in light of Alaska’s current budget deficit.
Through the end of August or until otherwise noted, local utility users are asked to keep reducing their water usage where possible, and be mindful of leaks on or around their properties.
“People were pretty good about reporting,” said Jabusch. This summer about a dozen reports have been received which have turned out to be leaks, either to service lines or inside people’s homes. “That’s certainly helped.”
For the duration of the crisis city personnel can enforce water conservation where violations are witnessed, and can as a last resort discontinue service if conditions are not corrected per Wrangell Municipal Code 15.04.510.
A question and answer page as well as ongoing updates are being maintained on the city website.
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