HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 05-06 Consultants to review well water system for Maplewood REVIEW Consultants to review well
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water system ` or Maplewood
by Scott Carlson which councilman Donald Wiegert, In a related item the council has agreed
A "tree branch" well water system, among several items, asked for a to conduct a moratorium on the issuance
among several other items, will be reviewal of the well system. of building
in areas
reviewed by Kirkham and Michael The council at that same April 17 where it de ermipermits nedrptthroatcts inadequate
consulting engineers, the Maplewood city meeting turned down some$10 million in water flow exists for fire-fighting pur-
council decided 4-1 last Thursday night. water improvements, which would have poses.
The council's action was a followup to begun the development of a master meter Manager Mike Miller told the council
its series of resolutions passed in April in wholesale system for Maplewood. that it is impossible to establish exact
Wiegert, at last Thursday's meeting, boundaries for a moratorium because:
noted that several of the petitions which —There is incomplete data of hydrant
opposed the improvements specified that flow tests in relation to the ground
they didn't want St. Paul. "The people elevation.
want water—but Maplewood water, not —That requirements for different fire
St.Paul," Wiegert said. "I wonder what flows are based on the type of building,
percentage feel that way?" construction, occupancies and size of
The councilman guessed that only a building.
house-to-house survey would probably Minimum standards as"set forth in the
provide the answer. He did note that the 'Guide for Determination of Required
well system,in previous studies, was the Fire Flow'as published by the Insurance
cheapest system. Services Office" will be used as the
The council has authorized up to$8,500 standard to determine inadequate water
in payment to the Kirkham and Michael flow for fire fighting purposes, Miller
consulting engineers for reviewal of the indicated.
well system and: "When a building permit is requested,a
—Reviewal of the retail system determination of the required fire flow
(currently the means by which would be made and compared to the guide
Maplewood purchases water from the St. for adequate flow," Miller said. "If the
Paul Water Board). existing flow does not meet the minimum
—Verification of existing water flow as determined by the guide, then a
pressures and water quantities available building permit would not be issued.
from St. Paul and the St. Paul Water "For large industrial or commercial
Department. buildings, a fire flows as determined by
—Preparation of a program of phased Factory Engineering or other recognized
improvements with cost estimates. insurance underwriters may be utilized,"
—Assistance for the city's financial Miller concluded.
consultant in the developing of a program The resolution passed 4-1, Greavu
for financing of proposed improvements. dissenting.
—Conducting a computer analysis of
the distribution system within Maplewood
to develop and confirm the recom-
mendations for improvements.
—Conducting a hydrant flow test
program to aid in determining where
existing system inadequacies might exist.
Greavu, in explaining his dissenting
votes, said, "We hired three engineers
last week. I'll be damned if I'll hire
another consultant."
But Councilman Burton Murdock
responded that a lack of effort to solve the
problems invites the Metropolitan Council
"to do all the planning."
At the council's April 17 meeting
' ,yid he feared the city would be
with fire if it doesn't
'e of water pressure
in parts of the city.
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