Yanceyville reports high raw-water turbidity, schedules tank maintenance and pursues dam-removal grant

Town utility staff and contractor representatives told the Yanceyville Town Council on March 12 that the water system is operating without regulatory violations but faces operational challenges, including unusually high raw-water turbidity and equipment issues at the wastewater plant.

Matthew Malone, regional manager for Inframark, said no violations were recorded at the water or wastewater plants. He reported raw-water turbidity levels “around 90 NTU,” compared with an average raw-water turbidity of about 10 NTU, which has required the plant to operate at a slower rate and use additional chemicals. Malone also said a total organic carbon (TOC) removal sample taken Feb. 26 met compliance (68% removal versus a required 45%), and that a new carbon feed system has shown strong results. At the wastewater plant he reported rented pumps were used to remove solids, staff trained a new operator, and equipment (mixers and an aerator) required troubleshooting or parts with an expected replacement shaft due in May 2024.

Town Manager Kamara Barnett and Public Works maintenance technician Elvis Strader described planned maintenance on the town’s elevated storage tank. Barnett said USG Water Solutions would take the tank out of service beginning March 25 for welding maintenance; Strader explained that pressure-relief valves and standby contractors (C & J Utilities, Sanford Electric, and Inframark) will be used to maintain distribution system pressures. The town estimated the outage could last three to four days.

Barnett also said the town submitted a grant application to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund for removal of the Yanceyville Water Supply Dam; consultants Travis Cooke and Ben Carroll of Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC assisted with the application. Barnett said projects can be 100% funded on a reimbursement basis and that the town will provide updates as the grant process proceeds.

Council members did not question the reported compliance status but approved routine agenda items and moved on to budget business later in the meeting.