NEWBERRY — Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority Manager Brent Richardson presented the Board of Directors with an update on the Pioneer Tank Improvement Project during Thursday’s meeting.

The Authority’s latest update included the installation of new piping and valves at the site.

“The Monday after Easter there was a huge effort to get the new piping and valves completed. That was completed in April. We’ve got a date on raising the elevated storage tank, that’ll be completed in June,” Richardson said.

He added a new tank mixer will also be installed in June.

To date, the Authority has executed the notice to proceed (February 19), has demoed the altitude valve vault and will install new fencing (this will be done after elevation is complete). The final inspection and permit to operate is projected to be August 1.

“Special thanks from the adjoining landowner Mr. Jeff Fulmer. He’s been very helpful in allowing us to encroach upon his property during this construction project,” Richardson said.

In addition to Fulmer, Richardson gave a special thanks to Water Distribution Supervisor Steven Hendrix and Tom Brigman Contractors.

“This project has been Steven’s baby and he has taken control of it as far as scheduling and coordinating the activity,” he said.

Total funding for the Pioneer Tank Improvement Project is $562,000.

Richardson also presented the Construction and Operation Report for the month to the Board.

The Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant is in normal operation. A back-up air compressor was installed and a replacement raw water pump (Fairbanks Morse vertical turbine) is on order. A replacement booster pump (Fairbanks Morse horizontal split case) was installed at the Macedonia Pump Station.

Also in normal operation was the Cannons Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Operators are continuing to feed Carousel liquid permanganate at the WWTP and Totalox in the wastewater collection system for odor control.

For Water Distribution for the month, there were two main line leaks reported at Mud Creek Road and Mt. Pilgrim Church Road and five new water services were installed.

Pump station repairs included: Jalapa Road, LMWTP and Beaufort Shores. There were three new water services installed.

In the Financial Report for the month, NCWSA Assistant Manager Daniel Quattlebaum reported a water revenue of $266,291 and water expense of $270,114 for a loss of $3,823.

On the sewer side, Quattlebaum reported sewer revenue at $98,314 and sewer expense at $81,615 for a positive result of $16,699.

The following are noteworthy items included in the Financial Report:

• F450 Purchase (Water) $36,000.

• Macedonia Pump Station repairs (Water) $10,000.

• Contract Operator Expense (Water) $9,000.

• SCADA at Gin Tank Tower (Water) $7,500.

Quattlebaum also highlighted the following items which have been Board approved, but not included in the report:

• Macedonia Road Utility Relocation $34,000.

• WWTP Land Purchase $163,000.

• Truck-mounted Palfinger crane $26,000.

• Jalapa Road Pump Station Control Panel $22,000.

Other business:

• A motion was made by Board Member Lewis Lee and seconded by Board Member Jerry Koon to adopt the Fiscal 2020 Budget.

• A motion was made by Koon and seconded by Lee to adopt the Fiscal 2020 Rates.

• A motion was made by Board Member Bryan Alvarez and seconded by Lee to adopt the Fiscal 2020 Tap Fees.

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By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.