Plain City Water officials are asking for the public’s help.
“I need more sampling sites,” said Wade Leimeister, village water and wastewater superintendent.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Leimeister explained that according to Ohio regulations, the village is required to test a sampling of homes with lead plumbing or with pre 1970 copper plumbing each year. Until this year, the lead testing could be conducted every three years.
Leimeister said the village needs to test at least 20 homes each year. He said the sample collection is to be concluded on Sunday and as of the meeting time he had only 11.
He said the testing is free for the resident. Those who sign up will be provided with a sample bottle and sampling instructions.
Leimeister said he wanted to dispel the myth that homeowners can be forced to make changes based on the results.
“Even if your lead level comes up high, we cannot force you to replumb your house,” Leimeister said.
He said that residents who are not sure what kind of plumbing they have may contact him and someone from the village will check.
Those wanting to participate in the sampling are asked to contact Leimeister at (614) 873-3527 ext. 107 or wleimeister@plain-city.com.
The sampling is not the only concern for village water and wastewater officials.
Village Administrator Nathan Cahall told council the village is still experiencing issues with the automatic operating system at the water plant.
He said problem appears to be a faulty Frontier Communications line. Cahall said Frontier is “not being highly responsive to our needs.”
He said that since the automatic operating system is not working, Leimeister must go to the plant several times during the night. He said this is costing the village, “a significant amount of overtime.”
Water valve replacement work is slated to commence soon on the north side of town. Staff is coordinating the work schedule with the fire department since water pressure will be lost during the time the work is being performed. A radio controller for the system has been ordered and should be installed sometime this week.
In other news:
-Cahall said the village is making progress crack sealing. He said once that is completed, several smaller pavement projects, including a 500 foot section of the northbound lane of South Chillicothe Street already marked and planned for repair, will be completed before winter.
– Water valve replacement work is expected to begin on on the north side of this next week. Notices have been delivered to all impacted homeowners in the area. Officials are coordinating the work schedule with the fire department since water pressure will be lost during the time the work is being performed.
– Final winterization work continues at the pool. Refurbishment and repair of the slide will begin soon.
– The village is completing paperwork for the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Maple Street project. The contractor could be able to begin the project this week. Property owners along the street will be receiving notifications and schedule information shortly.