All systems are now a go on efforts to improve water pressure in one section of Bridgeport and to regular pressure that is too high in all section of the city. Those two matters were discussed during this morning’s Bridgeport Utility Board meeting and the group gave unanimous approval to ongoing proposals to address both.

 

From a fiscal standpoint, the item that was of the highest priority was the decision to put in a fiberglass housed booster pump on a section of land along Sherwood Road. The pump would improve water pressure issues and fire flow concerns that have been going on for decades; primarily in the Ridgeway Drive and surrounding areas.

 

City engineer Tom Brown presented the Utility Board with a more detailed look of the issue as prepared by the Thrasher Group. The presentation, prepared by Thrasher’s Dan Ferrell, broke down current conditions in that area on pressure and projections once the project is completed. It also had a breakdown of predicted current conditions and predicted future conditions on fire flows as it related to the project.

 

“This was to have a better analysis of the area we’re looking at,” Brown told the Board. “Thrasher was able to do the work quickly as part of an existing contract.”

 

To do the project, it is estimated to cost $138,000. Utility Board Vice Chairman Joe Timms suggested that $150,000 be allocated to allow for contingency dollars. Timms’ suggestion, as well as the project, was unanimously approved by the Utility Board, which means relief from a decade’s old problem in that area will soon be on its way. The city also approved funds in the aforementioned amount to install pressure reducers at five homes that would have been adversely impacted with too much pressure as a result of the project.

 

Along with the initial cost, there will be operation and maintenance costs. The cost for the next 20 years was set at $60,000 to maintain and operate the system once it’s installed, which is an average of $3,000 per year.

 

While that program is targeting a specific area of Bridgeport, the Utility Board also gave its final blessing on a high water pressure regulator grant program. The program, which has been discussed and given tentative approval at recent meetings, has already drawn the interest of residents, including one of Brookview and one on Carriage Lane, who would be reimbursed to help defray costs of installing a high pressure regulator on their homes.

 

Under the program, a person claiming to have high water pressure will have a gauge put on their water meter for a three-day period. If the pressure rises above 100 psi, the customer would be eligible for a grant of up to $150.

 

Once determined eligible, the property owner will have to secure a building permit at no cost. The permit will guarantee that the property owner not only installs the device, but has had it done in a proper manner by a licensed installer.

After that happens, the property owner will provide the Utility Board with receipts for the work. At that time, the property owner will receive a reimbursement for up to $150. The grant program is a one-time grant program and any property owner that installs a regulator and then sells that property, the new property owner is not eligible for a new regulator in the event the one acquired under the program goes bad.

 

“It’s like when you purchase a home and the furnace is bad. It’s up to the new property owner to make sure the pressure regulator is in proper order,” said Utility Board member Barry Ranson.

 

The Utility Board approved a $4,500 budget revision to get the grant project moving. Of that total, $800 is for the purchase of two pressure loggers, while the remainder is to cover the cost of reimbursements. After discussion with Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith and Utility Board Chairman and Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer, it was determined that the program did not need to have language saying it was contingent upon funds being available. Attorney Norm Farley said the grant program could be eliminated for reasons such as lack of funds at any time.

 

The board will next meet Feb.26. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.

 

For information about the programs, contact the Bridgeport Engineering Department at 304-842-8231.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of City Engineer Tom Brown, while Utility Board Vice Chairman Joe Timms is shown in the second picture. Below, Utility Chair and Mayor Robert Greer, left, talks with Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith during this morning's meeting.