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SALEM -- If at first you don't find water, drill, drill again.
The Salem Utilities Commission agreed recently to try again in the search for another subsurface water source, accepting a proposal from Layne Well Driller for $6,760 to drill, sample and convert an exploratory well to a monitoring well with a locking cap. The drilling will take place east of the pump station at the Cold Run Creek well field.
The city relies on both subsurface wells and the Salem Reservoir to supply the city with water.
There had also been a quote from Ohio Drilling for $10,000.
Officials said they needed to look at this, especially with by-products in surface water that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is keeping an eye on. They need subsurface water to keep readings for the by-products where they need to be.
In another water system-related matter, water plant manager Larry Sebrell reported on the need to replace a raw water pump at the Cold Run Creek raw water pumping station. The pump had been installed in 1982 and repairs had been made in 2000, but he said the pump is pretty much shot now and needs overhauled. Plans call for applying a ceramic coating to the impellers on the pump in an effort to make it last longer.
The estimated cost for the bowl assembly replacement was estimated at $24,000.
The commission also heard updates on the Highland Avenue water tank painting project, the continued effort to secure an easement for the Snyder Road sewer main project and the near completion of Phase IA improvements to the wastewater treatment plan.
Wastewater treatment plant manager Jeff Zimmerman said personnel have been training on the new equipment. He also said a recent decision to hire part-time security help for the overnight shift has worked out well.