PSD must upgrade aging Snowshoe sewage equipment

Wednesday July 08, 2009
PSD must upgrade aging Snowshoe sewage equipment
Geoff Hamill
Staff Writer

The Pocahontas County Public Service District (PSD) took over ownership of the Snowshoe sewage system this year and now must upgrade some of its aging equipment, according to PSD manager Lloyd Coleman.

Coleman, PSD board members Scott Millican and Mark Smith, PSD attorney Tom Michael, plant manager Rick Barkley and incoming board member Amon Tracey were in attendance at the regular meeting on June 30.

Coleman informed the board that six of Snowshoe’s 17 sewage lift stations need to be replaced, at an estimated cost of $24,500 each. One of the lift stations, at Treetop, requires immediate replacement and five others will need replacement soon, he said.

“I expect this will be a continual thing until we get them all updated,” he said.

The units that need replaced are approaching 30 years in service, he said.

The lift stations, used to pump wastewater uphill to collection pipes, will be needed no matter which sewage plant design is built, the manager said.

Another lift station at Shavers Fork probably will require electrical alterations, at an estimated cost of $11,500, according to Coleman. The unit currently uses three-phase power but will require single phase power to be taken off of Snowshoe’s grid.

An all-weather sampler, used to monitor water quality, will also need to be replaced, at an estimated cost of $3,000. Coleman said the unit was damaged while Snowshoe Water and Sewer operated the Snowshoe plants under contract to the PSD.

The PSD deferred action on the expenditures until consultation with its accountant.

The board also discussed extension of a sewer main to serve a private residence at Snowshoe.

Coleman informed the board that, prior to the PSD takeover of Snowshoe’s sewer system, an individual purchased a lot on West Ridge Road and started building with the understanding that Snowshoe Water and Sewer would run a sewer main to the lot.

Now that the PSD operates the system, the deal might be off.

PSD secretary Scott Millican said the seller of the property might be obliged to build the extension, if they made representations that the sewer line would be built.

“Representing the rate payers, I’m not in favor of going forward with an extension,” he said. It seems to me it’s the obligation of the seller or the property owner to pay for the extension.”

Coleman said he didn’t disagree with Millican but thought the owner might have a valid argument.

“I think the argument will be made that every other lot in the lot line has been served at no cost to the homeowner,” he said.

PSD attorney Tom Michael said the PSD should consider building the extension.

“It’s one of those situations where you can push your rights, but it might not be a good idea,” he said.

The PSD agreed to discuss the issue with Snowshoe and the Public Service Commission before making a decision.

The PSD will hold a special meeting on July 13 to review bids for the purchase of a pump truck. Location, time and additional agenda items will be announced.

The next regular meeting of the PSD is scheduled for 7 p.m., July 28, at the Durbin water works office.