Water & Sewer Commission

Town of Mount Airy Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Minutes April 7, 2021 Commission members in attendance: Chair Dick Swanson, John Cherry, Dave Difonzo and Ron Runkles. Larry Hushour and Mark Moxley were excused absences. The meeting was called to order at 7:00. Assistant Town Engineer Chaslyn Derexson also attended. The meeting was virtual due to closing of Town Hall. Minutes: Dave Difonzo moved to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2021 meeting. Seconded by Ron Runkles and the motion passed unanimously. Old Business: 1. Rainfall/WWTP Update: Dick Swanson noted that the WWTP flow exceeded the well production for the third month in a row. Infiltration (groundwater seeping into the sewer pipes) in certain areas seems to be responsible for some of the high flow. Funding to line several sections of pipes will be requested in the FY 2022 budget to alleviate the problem. 2. Senate Bill 195/House Bill 0022 – PFAS Chemical Prohibitions & Requirements: The bills have been cross filed and remain in the senate and house committees under consideration. John Cherry asked if Mount Airy tests its well for PFAS levels. Dick Swanson will check with Brian Johnson and report back. 3. Memorandum of Agreement – Stormwater Remediation: Although the next generation stormwater management permit has not been issued by MDE, the WRCC voted on the municipal payment schedule to meet the local jurisdictions FY 2022 budget deadlines. Mount Airy will contribute $47,320 in FY 2022. The amount is based on MDE's draft requirement to mitigate 2% of the impervious surface each year of the permit versus the flat 20% required in the permit ending December 31, 2019. 4. Cyberattack Vulnerability: Dick Swanson and John Cherry met with Brian Johnson to review the cyber security of the water and sewer systems. They reported that the security of the system is sound with low risk of a cyber attack causing any significant damage to the two systems. No further action is considered necessary at this time. 5. On-Line Payment of Water Bills: The Town offers on-line payment of water bills at a fee of $0.35 plus 3% of the payment amount. All income goes to the system operator and costs participating residents approximately $13,200 per year. Council Liaison Hushour was unable to attend the meeting to report on his look into alternative payment options. New Business: 1. Water Meter Replacement: Dick Swanson stated that Brian Johnson will ask for approximately $1 million in the FY 2022 budget for water meter replacement and installation. He will recommend that funding for the project come from the $7.9 million American Rescue Plan funds awarded to Mount Airy for infrastructure improvements. The current meter are beginning to fail and are no longer manufactured. Current replacement inventory will run out in a year or so. The commission concurs with Brian's request. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:27. The next W&S meeting is May 5, 2021 at 7pm.