Brown water complaints flood town office

Towards the end of October, residents in Emmitsburg began noticing brown water flowing through their systems. Numbers of residents reached out to town staff inquiring about the safety of, and reason for, the brown water they were seeing.

In response, town staff explained that several factors were contributing to the brown water seen in many homes. According to a press release issued by the town, "the Provincial House in Emmitsburg typically flushes their lines/hydrants after the Town completes town wide flushing, however, the Provincial House flushed the week prior to the Town, causing brown water complaints. In an effort to clear up the brown water, the Town proceeded with hydrant flushing the following week. Additionally, due to the lack of rain and demand on the water treatment plant, the amount of water staff was able to flush out of the lines was less than usual leaving some natural sediment and minerals behind. This has caused the brown water to linger longer than usual."

Town staff began flushing their fire hydrants at the end of October into early November. The early flushing by the Provincial House caused a big disturbance in the town’s lines. A lot of rust, dirt and debris were in the lines this year, noted Town Manager Cathy Willets.

Residents were instructed to flush their bathtubs with cold water for a few minutes to help clear the lines. Many residents were still concerned about the safety of consuming this water. Willets noted that the brown water contains naturally occurring minerals and sediments, so it is safe to drink even though it is not aesthetically pleasing. All of the Town’s water quality reports can be found on the town’s website, and the Town continues to remain in compliance with all MDE requirements. Residents are urged to contact town staff if still experiencing problems.

Town plans sewer re-lining projects for next three years

Emmitsburg’s Board of Commissioners approved a bid for the ongoing sewer re-lining projects throughout town. As explained by Town Manager Cathy Willets, the amount of wild water has increased in town, which has placed pressure on the town’s sewer lines and their pumping station can’t keep up with the demand. The town is looking to continue to re-line the sewer lines throughout town to reduce infiltration & inflow (I&I).

Last year the board improved sewer lining on E. Main Street. This was the priority project at the time. Now, town is looking to plan ahead for the next three fiscal years (FY20-FY22). According to Willets the town has already seen a reduction in the amount of wild water treated since re-lining E. Main Street earlier this year.

Town staff received a total of three bids for both ten-inch and eight-inch sewer lines. The prices will be locked in for the next three years. The town is looking to re-line West North Ave. down through Creekside Drive, and Memorial Park (behind the Post Office out to Mother Seton School) for FY20.

Humphrey & Sons bid a total project cost for FY20 of $126,250, with $43 for eight-inch and $45 for ten-inch pipes. Mr. Rehab was the lowest bidder at $107,418.75 for FY20 project ($35.35 and $37.80), while the highest bidder was US Pipelining, LLC at $199,725 for FY20. Staff recommended the lowest bidder, Mr. Rehab; they were the same company that did E. Main Street earlier this year. The $107,418.75 total for the FY20 project will come from the Sewer Fund, noted Willets.

The bid was approved unanimously by Commissioners, and the FY21 and FY22 projects will soon be planned.