For decades, low water pressure has been an issue for residents on Ridgeway Drive. In fact, during this morning’s Bridgeport Utility Board meeting, City Engineer Tom Brown said that back in the 1970s, residents there apparently signed waivers to be brought into the system.

 

The waivers were related to the fact that they would have low water pressure – in the range of 15 to 22 pounds per square inch. Roughly 40 years later and with Ridgeway growing substantially since then, the pressure has improved. However, the pressure meets and slightly exceeds West Virginia Public Service Commission standards, but it’s not what residents would like.

 

“What other parts of town just meets the minimum,” said Ridgeway resident Angie Dawkins. “In Bridgeport, we tend to do everything above and beyond.”

 

During today’s meeting, the BUB heard from Dawkins and two other residents – Marcello Lalama and Vicki Huffman – who politely, and directly, asked the group to rectify the problem. Council member Darrell Bowen also addressed the board on concerns he’s heard from residents.

 

“This diminished the quality of life,” said Bowen.

 

The pressure issues on Ridgeway are more than just the inconvenience of low pressure for bathing or doing yard work. Bowen also pointed out concerns regarding pressure for hydrants in the event of a fire that he would like to see addressed. Although the city has done some upgrades that have increased the PSI in the system, it’s still closer to the minimum requirements than robustly exceeding them.

 

Brown presented the Utility Board a trio of options to consider on a preliminary basis. The first one was to require home owners to have pressure tanks and pumps (many already have them). A second option involved the construction of an in-line system at a potential cost of $150,000. The final option was construction a new system with a reserve water tank at a cost of $300,000.

 

The proposals led to multiple discussions and an equal number of concerns. Among the many issues beyond costs up front and long-term costs, were unintended consequences of what the pressure would do to homes on lower Ridgeway as well as many of the older water lines that could break with increased pressure.

 

“I don’t think we’re at a point to make a decision today,” said BUB member Ken Curry.

 

The Board asked Brown to come back with more concrete numbers as to the costs – including long-term operating costs of each proposal – and look to make a decision at the Nov. 19 meeting, which is set for 9 a.m. Member Joe Timms also said the review can’t just be limited to Ridgeway.

 

“(Tom) needs to looks at the other minimum pressure areas across the city. I think we need to do that and get capital costs and operating costs, or better ones, at our next meeting,” said Timms.

 

Three other areas were singled out as low pressure areas that may also end up getting attention. The additional areas mentioned were Timberbrook (which is outside the city, but served by city water), Briarwood and South Hills.

 

In other business, the Bridgeport Utility Board:

 

- Named Timms the vice chairman of the board. Timms will fill in the chairman’s position in the absence of Bridgeport Mayor and Chairman Robert “Bob” Greer.

 

- Agreed to continue the compensation rate for board members the same as it was when the city previously had a Bridgeport Sanitary Board. The compensation will remain $50 a month for members and $100 for the board’s professional engineer.

 

- Gave Brown permission to purchase and excavator and skid steer to be used on ongoing city projects. Currently, the city was renting the equipment. Brown will spend roughly $140,000 to make the purchases and the funds will come from escrow accounts already in place.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Ridgeway resident Vicki Huffman addressing the Utility Board about her concerns, while board member Ken Curry addresses those gathered. Bottom photo is of City Engineer Tom Brown getting ready to answer questions from the board.