Warwick’s water issues

WARWICK — The following statement was issued Monday by Mayor Michael J. Newhard:

We have been dealing with discolored water for nearly two months. The main cause of discoloration is turbidity within the lines. This has been set off by numerous events which include the automated action of our Micro-filtration Plant and dead ends created by two water main breaks: Parkway Bridge and South Street at Railroad Avenue.

The directional flow within the system changes as either the Reservoir Treatment Plant or Micro-filtration Plant turns on to supply water to the system.

Basically the pipes have been scoured removing sedimentation and exposing in some cases iron pipe.

What is being done? The Village acted immediately with a unidirectional hydrant flushing of the lines. Key neighborhoods are now being flushed regularly to help alleviate the discolored water.

Frustratingly, the exposed iron has created a cloud of discoloration that seems to haunt the entire system.

We have brought in consultant engineer, Ralph Van Duzer from Barton & Loguidice to diagnose the problem and to give us a strategy beyond flushing lines. The recommendation was to use a sequestering agent: ortho phosphate.

This is done with Board of Health review and acceptance of the sequestering plan. I’ve authorized this plan to be prepared immediately. The sequestering agent will essentially bond to the exposed iron in the pipes to create a protective coat. It will also help eliminate the hardness of the water as well.

This has been a successful remedy in other communities that experience turbidity in their distribution system or high mineral content in their water.

This has been a critical issue for us at Village Hall and the Water Department. We are using every resource and will continue to do so until the problem is solved.

Some neighborhoods have had more extreme conditions than others: Parts of Southern Lane and neighborhoods that feed off the main line on Oakland Avenue.

When you are affected with severe conditions please call Village Hall at 986-2031. We have a continuous log to track problem areas and that information is shared immediately with the Water Department.

The Water Department, our Plant Operator and the Department of Public Works have been putting in long hours to rectify the situation. We believe the sequestering plan is the appropriate answer and we are expediting its implementation.

We apologize for the inconvenience which in some cases is great. We do understand the difficulty this imposes on your families and will do continue to do everything to remedy the problem.