ThisWeek CW 06/28/2012
Hot, dry weather has produced increased water use in Canal Winchester, according to Water Department Manager Gary Schmitt.
“For us, when the rain doesn’t come, the water usage goes way up,” he told city council’s service committee last week. “We’re averaging about 950,000 gallons a day right now. We can use up to 1.6 million gallons a day, though, so we’re still well within capacity.”
The average daily use is normally around 750,000 gallons per day, he said.
Street Department Manager Shawn Starcher said the lack of rain means his crews have been mowing a lot less this year than in previous years.
“We’ve been able to slow our mowing schedule down and that’s allowed us to get extra mulching done,” Starcher said. “You can definitely tell when you’re coming into Canal Winchester off of state Route 33 because of how well we take care of everything.
“We were also able to get a new six-by-six pad installed with a port-a-john and privacy fence there near the skateboard park.”
Schmitt also reported that a new fluoride storage system, which will save the city money by allowing for bulk purchases of fluoride, will be installed at the water plant in the coming weeks.
In other business June 18, Reclamation Manager Steve Smith was honored by the Ohio Water Environment Association for operations, maintenance and record-keeping at the city’s water treatment plant.
Smith was presented with the F.D. “Dean” Stewart Award at the services committee meeting.
“We were awarded it for our overall operations and specifically for our recordkeeping,” he said. “When the EPA comes in, I have records that I can use to show trends and exactly what happened when.
“But this isn’t just me. I feel this is a team effort. My crew is always working hard and making the plant run better and more efficient.”
This is the first time Smith has received this award. He said he was proud for the whole city.
“That effort goes all the way up to council and their help and support,” Smith said. “Any time you get peer recognition, it is good for our community as a whole.”
The next service committee meeting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Aug. 20 at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.