General Government - Town of Meredith

Water System Committee continued...
The second chart shows the current best
estimate of long term water demand and
treatment plant capacity which shows
sufficient capacity is estimated to be
available until approximately 2027.
It is important to point out that these
improvements were influenced by the
committee but resulted from the dedicated
hard work, experience and knowledge of
the two Superintendents, Brian Carroll and
Dan Leonard, who managed the operations
since mid 2008.
General Government
With the expectation the Committee
will receive approval in February 2013 by the Board of Selectmen to retire; this is will likely be the last annual
report. The members of the Committee have enjoyed fulfilling the challenges this work presented and are very
pleased with the results we were able to deliver to the citizens of Meredith. Because new rates need to be set
for 2014, 2015 and 2016 some members of the committee will provide assistance to town staff for that project.
We are also offering to be available at most any time should other assistance be desired.
Treatment Plant
In early 2008 the plant was capable of producing only about 65% of rated capacity of 1 million gallons of water
input per day. This low capacity combined with an operating practice of only using one foot (50,000 gallons) of
storage tank capacity and blowoffs exceeding 80,000 gallons per day caused a water shortage on peak days of
the summer. To correct this lack of capacity the plant has undergone significant and expensive maintenance,
repair and replacement of almost all equipment, instrumentation, controls and control systems. All but one
small blowoff has been eliminated through improved chlorine management practices. Chemical delivery pumps
are now automatically controlled to prevent overdosing of chemicals which has reduced chemical usage.
The first chart shows loss rates (based on a percentage of water produced) of approximately 37% in 2007 and
32% in 2008 have come down to about 10% in 2012. The plant is now capable of performing at rated capacity
and has been since early 2010. Lower losses and increased capacity have allowed the plant operating hours to
be reduced significantly with attendant reductions in electricity and chemicals. There is still work to do such as
upgrading the emergency generator and installing variable speed drives on the finished water pumps but these
do not affect capacity during normal operation.
Distribution System
The distribution system infrastructure varies in age and condition greatly. Therefore it requires constant
attention and will continue to do so forever. An annual system-wide leak detection program, careful monitoring
of loss rates and semi-annual hydrant flushing are important management practices which are in place and
working well. In addition to immediately-necessary emergency repairs, when major highway renovation
programs occur the opportunity to upgrade the distribution system in those locations must be seized. At some
time in the future the Route 3 and 25 program will be such an opportunity as is the renovation of lower Main
Street.
2012 Annual Report
29