upgrading fire hydrants; audit results discussed
Plans under way for
upgrading fire hydrants; audit results discussed
By danielle medina
Correspondent
BRICK –– The township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA) continued to stress the importance of water conservation last week, especially in preparation for filling the new reservoir in the fall.
"That river needs to be healthy. We’re going to pump water from the Metedeconk to fill [the reservoir], and then we’ll reverse the flow back to normal," Chairman Daniel Newman said at the July 28 meeting.
The Metedeconk River is the primary source of water for Brick Township residents, with additional shallow and deep wells serving as backups when the river has a diminished flow. Low flows in the river can occur after a few days without consistent rainfall.
Many residents believe that the heavy snowfalls in the winter and the rainy spring season made up for the drought last summer, but, according to Newman, this isn’t true.
"We don’t have a cavity to store water," he said, referring to a reservoir.
Newman asked that "everyone does a little bit" to conserve water.
"There’s no need to water your lawn seven days a week or use four gallons of water when brushing your teeth," Newman said.
In addition to odd/even lawn watering that the BTMUA has asked residents comply with, there are additional ways to conserve water.
According to the American Water Works Association:
• Lawns only need to be watered every three to five days in the summer, and 10 to 14 days in the winter. To prevent water loss from evaporation, don’t water lawns during the hottest part of the day or when it is windy.
• Repair leaking faucets and toilets promptly. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full. When washing dishes by hand, use a basin for cleaning and one for rinsing instead of running water.
• Cover swimming pools when not in use to prevent evaporation and the need for frequent refilling.
• Use a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways instead of your hose.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator or microwave rather than under running water.
In other business, the BTMUA said it will begin a hydrant maintenance program where more than 2,100 fire hydrants will receive a facelift.
"Our hydrants work, but they look very bad," said Greg Hannah, director of field operations for the BTMUA.
Each hydrant will be sandblasted and repainted at a cost of $200-$250 per hydrant. Bidding on the project, which will take five years to complete, will begin in the fall.
The 2002-2003 audit of the BTMUA was completed by Richard Gartz of Samuel Klein and Co., Freehold, and its findings were presented at the meeting.
"The auditor sampled every aspect of the authority," said Executive Director Kevin Donald.
Of note, the BTMUA lost $232,000 in revenues due to the drought last summer, which Newman called a "respectable loss."
"As revenues fell off, we adjusted our spending to make up for it," Newman said.
The auditor had no recommendations for the BTMUA, which the commissioners found encouraging.
"Our staff and advisors are doing a good job," said BTMUA Secretary Charles Tivenan.