Pump failures in Alderson are just one reason for the town’s ongoing sewer system improvement projects.
On November 13, Alderson Mayor Travis Copenhaver posted to the town’s social media place, explaining something the town had hoped wouldn’t happen, did happen:
“For the last six months we’ve been working to get funding through West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (WVIJDC) from our sewer project close out to replace the pumps at the #1 lift station because of many many issues and lots of spent money repairing them.
“Today, is the day we were hoping didn’t happen before we jumped through the hoops and got the funds. Both pumps failed miserably. The first one failed at 1:00am. The second failed between 1 and 9 a.m. When our crews were checking lift stations, they found the number one at a critical level.
“Here’s what that means. The number one is the lift station that pumps from the three other Greenbrier side lift stations and main lines for the entire Greenbrier side of town to the number two across the river to the number two. The number two pumps all of the Monroe side of town and the number one’s sewage to the plant.
“The failure means that sewage was very close to surging from manholes and back into houses. But because of dedicated staff, some new help from Royal Flush’s vacuum truck, an emergency council meeting, and $7,280 from the sewer reserve fund there is a brand new pump in the number one.
“God was with us today. The company we’ve been working with had a pump that fit exactly what we needed and got it to us by 5:30 p.m. The representative worked four and a half hours helping us get it in service.
“Once again, our dedicated staff pulled through, fixed major problems and saved even worse major problems. Steve, Bob, Heath, Zach, Cori, and Rick thank you for being there! Council and I had the easy part. I am for sure, ‘Alderson Proud!’”
Works attempt to keep the sewer system running. Photo courtesy of Town Of Alderson Facebook page. |
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.