While a final solution wasn’t approved for water pressure issues for upper Ridgeway Drive and other  areas of the city, the Bridgeport Utility Board did move one step closer to an initial fix this morning. The Bridgeport Utility Board, by a 4-1 vote, agreed with City Engineer Tom Brown’s recommendation on addressing the issue.

 

However, what they agreed to at this point is to have Brown gather additional information that is needed to determine the guidelines needed for his recommendation. Brown was directed to develop specifications and criteria for a program that would reimburse residents meeting the developed criteria for the cost of inline pumps, check valves and solenoids  valves to help main water pressure to reasonable levels in homes in that area. The set up would also turn off the pumps when no water is available.

 

“The board still has to decide whether to move forward with this,” said Brown. “They’re still contemplating other options, but want defined criteria for this option.”

 

During last month’s BUB meeting, Brown presented similar options and was asked by the board to come back this month with a better handle on the costs associated with them. From those options, the BUB – at least initially – seems to agree with Brown’s recommendation, which as far as initial costs appear to be the cheapest and may cause the least amount of interruption to other parts of the water system.

 

Brown had three other options as well broken down. The second option was for a fiberglass housed booster pump that would cost $188,500with 20 years of operation and maintenance cost. It would cost $338,500 if the cost of replacing it in 20 years is added to the total.

 

Another option involved taking the $128,500 booster pump and adding a concrete pump station. That cost would come to $238,500.

 

The final option was a surge tank for the area, which would cost $101,000. It would also require the fiber glass housed booster pump for a total of $229,500.

 

Brown’s recommendation for doing pumps in individual homes would to set up an account of $25,000 and allows the BUB to reimburse residents up to $1,000 for the pumps and valves needed. Each year, according to what he presented today, $10,000 would be added to the account and the money would be available on a first come, first serve basis. It was also noted that reimbursement could be done for in-home pressure regulators for up to $100. The resident would be responsible for the installation, but would be issued a building permit at no cost.

 

The BUB, particularly member Ken Curry, was concerned about who would be eligible. He suggested that a household may have a low PSI one day and a higher one the next and depending upon what standard was used, a household in need of the pumps may not be eligible. Because of that, Brown was directed not only to create criteria for both homes needing pumps and pressure regulators, but he was also asked to look at the possibility of increasing the size of the pool of initial funds.

 

City Manager Kim Haws said the number could certainly be raised at the discretion of the board. The number he tossed out was $50,000. The program would then be available for all water customers of the City of Bridgeport, not just those at the top of Upper Ridgeway Drive.

 

Mayor Bob Greer suggested that it may be more feasible to simply do the booster pump project at the least. He said the costs over 20 years for this program could equal or surpass that of the pump program and the associated reimbursements.

 

“I think we’re talking about a Band-Aid approach. Maybe we should bite the bullet now,” said Greer.

 

Members Jack Merinar and Curry, who voted against the approach to be further studied, were concerned about the possibility of a lack of water pressure at Ridgeway in the event of another fire. Resident Angela Dawkins said during last year’s Johnson Center Fire there was “no water at all” in their home. That led to concerns as to what would happen if there was another significant fire of that nature and a home in the Ridgeway area caught on fire.

 

No one could guarantee that a fire of that nature could be handled. However, Brown said he thinks another program in the works would address that.

 

“It’s still questionable. It could be addressed somewhat if we do the tie-in between Lee Ann Lane and Ridgeway that would give another way to get water there,” said Brown. “That’s still up for consideration.”

 

It’s likely a final determination will be made at the next meeting, which is tentatively set for Dec. 15. Along with the Ridgeway area, other areas of the city may also eventually require attention including Briarwood and South Hills. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Attorney Norm Farley reviewing a map of pressure issues along the Ridgeway area of the city, while in the second photo Tom Brown addresses the Utility Board. In the bottom photo, Jack Merinar voices some of his concerns.