City ready for next water line project

Kilgore's water line replacement projects are having positive results.

David Hackley, city utility supervisor, presented an update on the city's water projects to council members Monday.

"We've only had two red water complaints this year," Hackley said, "and we're investigating the cause of them."

Hackley said the city is preparing to start another water line project similar to the one completed last year. The project is partially funded by a $250,000 Texas Community Development Project grant.

"The original estimate for the project was $641,125," Hackley said. "The city's share of the original estimate was $391,125."

Since the original grant applicant was approved the project estimate has increased. Hackley said the project price is now $894,831.

"This increase is due to the drastic increase in the price of pipe," Hackley said. "We're working with the engineers, reviewing the project trying to figure out how to stay within the (original) estimates."

Hackley said preliminary designs for the project are completed and under review by city staff.

"But we may have to scale back the project because of the inflation," he said.

Hackley said the original plans called for line replacement on Riverside from Florence to Crim; Florey from Commerce to Broadway; and Ross, Nolan and Elder from Florey to Martin.

"Again, we'll have to see just how much of the project we have funds for," he said. "We may have to make it a two-phase project and do the second part next year."

Hackley also reported that the outer cover on the Laird Hill elevated storage tank, which holds 2.5 million gallons of water, was recently painted.

"That work was completed in March," He said, "and was a result of an inspection by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) last year."

Hackley said during the TCEQ's annual storage tank inspection, some sediment was found.

"This year we had a qualified service company drop video equipment into the tank for the inspection," Hackley said. "I was a good job and less expensive than having a diver go into the tanks."

Besides cleaning the sediment, TCEQ recommended a few safety upgrades, Hackley said.

He reported the silt buildup at the River Pump Station has been removed.

"High river flows cause silt to build up over a period of time in the five-foot diameter pipe," Hackley said. "We removed the blockage this month."

He said the drive units on the transfer pumps at the water treatment plan are working more efficiently.

"We had to comply with a federal mandate to reduce electrical usage," he said. ""The motors are more efficient and we're using an estimated 25 to 30 percent less energy."

Hackley also reported the security gate ordered last year for the water treatment plant should be in place during the current fiscal year.

"We're getting quotes on the system, but one company is slow to respond," he said.

Inspection of the waste water treatment plant resulted in a

few minor problems to be addressed including putting placards up to mark outfalls, finishing the drainage work to slow the flow of storm water; recalibrate the NIST thermometer in the lab and repair trickling filter arms.

Hackley reported work on an additional section of old concrete line west of Energy Drive at U.S. Hwy. 259 was recently completed.

"It was 50 or 60-year old concrete pipe that just caved in," he said.

So far this year, the city has produced 239.5 million gallons of potable water and treated 216.8 million gallons of wastewater this year. Last year at this time, the city had produced 289.0 million gallons of potable water and treated 318.1 million gallons of waste.

"This indicated significantly less infiltration and inflow," Hackley said. "The water department staff is doing an excellent job of operations and maintenance of department facilities."