Changes occur in treatment of raw water

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
Changes in the condition of raw water from Lake O’ the Pines were discussed by the board of directors at its March 25 meeting of the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.
Pete Wright detailed information to the board on the changing conditions.
“Over the last 90 days there has been about a 1½ feet rise in elevation at Lake O’ the Pines,” Mr. Wright said. “The lake remains about 3 feet low and during these episodes of high flow that made the lake elevation rise, constituents were floating in the water and came into the lake. The majority of the constituents causing the taste and odor are organic, plus there are iron and manganese that contribute also. That means the raw water has been changing considerably.”
Mr. Wright went over the changes in the treatment methods that have been adjusted to respond to this raw water change.
Three citizens informed the board they noticed a lower quality of the finished water in their house.
It was acknowledged by the district that during this raw water episode that the water has met or exceeded all standards set for drinking water, but due to the changing conditions, the finished water quality over the last 90 days has not been as high as what is normal or customary. This ongoing challenge, and ways to further respond to these changed raw water conditions, was discussed by the board.
Mr. Wright indicated that there was no timetable for when the finished water would return to its normal high quality condition. It was acknowledged that in extreme weather patterns, the district experienced similar conditions in the year 2001 when it was extremely wet and in 2006 when it was extremely dry. Mr. Wright said that the amount of iron and raw manganese in the raw water was elevated significantly during this episode.
The board discussed refinancing existing debt to take advantage of a lower interest rate. Decisions on that refinancing will be made next month.
The board received a legislative update about pending bills before the Texas Legislature that are being considered for approval. The update was on possible use of money from the rainy day fund for water projects and further rules about bonds that are to be issued and the contractual arrangements involving water providers and electric power generators.