By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Mona City Council members are still working on a method
to provide culinary water to Melinda Kay, who lives above
the city culinary system.
Kay came to the council to find out what could be done
to improve her water pressure. She told council members the
pressure had dropped dramatically and was no longer
sufficient, at most times. The pressure in her line is
approximately 5 pounds psi.
"Allen Pay, city water master, had Rachel Cassidy,
from state drinking water, come to Mona," said Doran Kay,
council member. "She audited the city's water system."
While she was in Mona, said Doran Kay, he provided her
with a copy of the agreement found in the minutes regarding
the water from the city culinary system now being used by
three residences located above the city head house.
Cassidy gave the agreement to Ken Bousfield, director
of the compliance section of the state drinking water
system, for Doran Kay.
"I was able to visit with some members of the drinking
water board and with Ken Bousfield," said Doran Kay.
The agreement was a valid one, but the city could lose
revenue for the water and would still be required to count
the water against the city water rights.
One point was, said Doran Kay, that the city is
required to maintain 20 psi in culinary lines in order not
to have back flow problems. That pressure could not be
guaranteed in the current lines which go from the holding
tank to the homes.
"He said, that if the city did not honor the
agreement, they could allow the three residents to hook up
to potable water and could then charge them for the
use."
At any rate, the water should be metered as it is used
by the three home owners.
"I talked with Don Newton (who represented the city as
the water master before Pay) and with Allen Pay regarding
this matter," said Bryce Lynn, mayor.
Newton understood, said Lynn, that of the three, Tom
Spotten was the only one on the city system who had
continued to pay for the water.
"We did not pay," said Melinda Kay, "because we were
told that it wasn't city water, it was irrigation company
water."
Doran Kay suggested that a regular delivery system be
designed, that the water line be taken from below the tank,
and that the system be metered. Otherwise, an air-gap or
back flow valve needed to be installed in the smaller
tank.
The three present connections are regarded as a
non-regulated use. Under terms of the current agreement, the
homeowners have stipulated that they hold the city harmless
but, stressed Doran Kay, they cannot be charged for the
water they use because it is not potable.
There would be costs involved in the changes. Some of
those costs would be the homeowners, said Doran Kay. The
expense of taking the line from the city line to the home
and of placing a bladder tank and a pump in the home would
be those of the homeowner.
Mayor Lynn and Doran Kay will continue to investigate
the best way to handle the water delivery for the three
homes and will report to the council and to Melinda Kay at a
later date.
Lynn said he would also get with Allen Pay and try to
determine if there is a clog in Melinda Kay's line.
"If there is a clog on your side, then that's your
problem and you will be the one who needs to have it fixed,"
said Doran Kay.
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