Pocomoke Heights
Water quality has been a long standing issue for many who live in the Pocomoke Heights. A comprehensive city wide engineering project performed over 15 years ago was suppose to eliminate the problems in our system. The improvements went a long way to solving many of the flow and circulation issues in the citywide system, but some continued to experience heavy concentrations of iron in their water.
When I took office, I asked the Council to review the situation and include an engineering study in the coming fiscal budget. The study was commissioned and the city attempted to increase the circulation in the area by flushing hydrants on a regular basis. This flushing action did help to some degree but has been merely a stop gap measure.
We received an update from Mr. Ed Young who is the principal engineer responsible for the study. Following an extensive survey of residential customers and the testing of their water samples, Mr. Young is now preparing a flow test to determine if there are any lines which are restricting the flow rate. His staff also located several valves in the system which had apparently been left closed. These valves have been opened and he is monitoring the results.
Following the flow rate testing, the results will be analyzed and recommendations made as to how the problems may be corrected. We would like to see this completed in the next 90 days.
Storm Water Studies
The current budget includes money for two additional engineering studies of White Oaks/Homewood Drive area as well as the Jenkin's Orchard area concerning storm water management. The city would like to solve the problems associated with storm water collection and removal from these areas and the engineering study was the place to start.
Our Public Works staff has also spent much time clearing surface ditches which has helped with runoff (particularly in White Oaks).
These are the very reasons it is so important to conduct due diligence with new development to insure that proper storm water management practices are adhered to and that problems (such as those the city is dealing with now) are eliminated and addressed from the start.
I will keep you posted on all of these projects.
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2 comments:
Mayor,
There are many ditches that run between two properties in White Oaks. These ditches drain the water from properties other than the two original properties. Who is responsible for cleaning out the ditch.
Thanks,
Taxpayer
Taxpayer,
As a general rule (and in the case of White Oaks), a Community Association would have been the source for maintaining these ditches. Unfortunately, there was no follow through and no established Association in White Oaks, and therefore there is not funding source from which to draw.
The city has taken on the task of trying to help by keeping ditches cleaned out. I have commissioned a study of the storm water management in White Oaks and Homewood but it will probably not be done until the fall of this year.
In the meantime, if you see a ditch that is a particular problem, please contact City Hall so they can pass on the info to Public Works. Of course, you can also contact Councilman Clarke or myself for follow up.
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