The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 to discuss the Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Present at the meeting were Mayor J.B. Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman, and David Wray. Commissioner Terry Lentz was unable to attend. Others present were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Finance Director Margaret Pierce, Public Works Director Johnny Lentz, Andy Lovingood and Doug Chapman of McGill Associates and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiseman to approve the Water/Wastewater Plant Emergency Response Plans, seconded by Commissioner Ball. All members were in favor.

The Mayor, and others in attendance, proceeded to the Town of Blowing Rock Water Treatment Facility for a scheduled tour to be given by Plant Director Tom McRary.

Upon arriving at the Water Treatment Facility, Mr. McRary greeted everyone and began the tour. He stated the facility had a capacity of 2.0 M.G.D. (Million Gallons a Day) currently operating at 1.8 M.G.D./ 1250 gallons per minute.

A synopsis of the tour given by Mr. McRary is as follows:

The water enters the plant from the Town Lake through a 16" water line. A flow meter is located at the head of the plant in the chemical feed room. Raw water flow measurements are recorded daily. The water then flows into the flocculation basins, where pre chemicals are added. Chemicals added at that time are pre caustic and polymer. The water and chemicals are mixed to form floc that settles out during the settling process. The chemical sludge settles in the settling basins and clear water then flows on to the filters. The water flows down through the filters where the particles are removed from the water. After filtration, the post chemicals are added, which include post chlorine, post caustic, fluoride and a corrosion inhibitor. The water is pumped into the clear well which is a (500,000 gallon storage tank) at the plant. The water is pumped to the Green Hilll storage tank using two high service pumps. Each pump will pump 1.25 M.G.D. The Green Hill storage tank has a capacity of 3 M.G. The water is then fed by gravity to town customers.

Tests are done on the water every two hours. These tests include temperature, chlorine, P.H. and turbidity. Also daily tests are done on the water including color, hardness, alkalinity, phosphate, iron, manganese, fluoride, and carbon dioxide. The results of the tests are recorded and sent to the State on a monthly basis. Bacteria tests are also done and the results are recorded and sent to the State. Water samples are collected from the distribution system weekly and sent to a certified lab for analysis. The State receives these tests also.

At the conclusion of the tour of the Water Treatment Facility, everyone proceeded to the Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The Wastewater Treatment Facility has a capacity of .8 M.G.D. with an average flow of .250 M.G.D.

Mr. McRary continued with his tour stating the wastewater enters the plant through the grit chamber. The flow is slowed down so that heavy particles can be removed. The water also flows through two sets of bar racks where paper and grease as well as rubber products can be removed. The bar racks are raked twice a day and particles are removed and placed into a nearby dumpster. The wastewater flows into the equalization basin, equals out the flow going into the aeration basins. There are three influent pumps, which pump the wastewater and the return sludge. Bacteria is grown in the aeration basins, which use the wastewater for food. The bacteria will multiply and some is returned to the head of the plant to seed the incoming wastewater. The sludge and excess bacteria are wasted to the digester. The wastewater is chlorinated to remove bacteria and the chlorine is then removed by de-chlorine chemicals. The water is released back into the New River at this time.

Several tests are done on a daily basis at the plant. Samples are collected and sent to the water tech lab for analysis. The sludge is removed from the plant by Honeywell Septic Tank Company and hauled to the Lenoir Wastewater Treatment Plant for disposal.

After several questions regarding the process, Council thanked Mr. McRary and his staff, commended them on the cleanliness of both facilities and thanked them for their hard work.

It was consensus of Council that McGill Associates conduct a water/sewer rate study and develop a capital improvement program for review. Council also requested that an immediate needs list be compiled as soon as possible for their consideration.

There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

MAYOR___________________________