Emergency Notice: Town Under Mandatory Water Conservation
(as of 4/14/2021)
On Wednesday April 14, 2021, the Round Hill Town Council held an emergency meeting to discuss a critical situation in the town water service area. Town Administrator Melissa Hynes and Utility Supervisor Marty Feltner were in attendance to explain the situation and respond to questions. The Town Council members then voted to move to Mandatory Water Conservation Status, Phase 1.
Under Mandatory Water Conservation Status, Phase 1, all customers of the Town's water system are requested to conserve wherever and whenever possible in their normal consumption of water. It shall be unlawful for any person to use water from the Town's water system for the purpose of watering lawns, washing cars, filling swimming pools, and like activities. Residents may not use sprinklers or irrigation systems for gardens. Any person or customer found conducting any of these prohibited uses shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred ($500) dollars for each violation.
What Happened?
In the last month, the Town's Utility Staff began experiencing operational pressure problems at the Goose Creek Water Treatment Plant that has resulted in several line failures within the plant. The Staff completed several preliminary repairs and determined the source of the problem was the failure of the massive filter system used in the plant. The failure of this system required the water treatment plant (which includes two wells) to be taken offline while emergency filter media replacement and valve repairs are completed. Keep in mind that these filter media products are not “off the shelf” and are typically made “on demand” for each individual complex filter system. This will add to the time required to complete the intense repair and rehab process. The water treatment plant, including its two wells, will remain offline for the duration of the repairs.
The Round Hill Water Service Area is a system based on a series of 11 wells which typically run 10 hours a day when all wells are fully operational. With the Goose Creek Water Treatment plant and its wells offline, the remaining wells are running upwards of 20 to 24 hours a day to meet current customer demand. These wells are being pushed beyond their normal run times which leaves our service area vulnerable to additional system failures.
As of April 13, 2021 Well 12 began showing signs of failure due to the increased stress caused by the Goose Creek Wells being offline. As a result, Well 12 will need to be taken offline for repairs which will create a further reduction in production capacity for the service area. Before any other wells began to fail, the Town Council acted swiftly to move to the Round Hill Water Service Area to Mandatory Water Conservation Status Phase 1. This status impacts all Round Hill public water customers (over 5,000 residents).
Round Hill needs your help to keep the water system running for the next several weeks as emergency repairs are being made. The Town Water System cannot survive an additional well failure.
Please do your part to conserve water and try to remind your friends/neighbors to follow your lead.
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Melissa Hynes, CZA
Town Administrator
Town of Round Hill
