Auburn city council will vote whether to form a committee to examine the efficiency of the Auburn's water filtration plant and distribution system during Thursday's meeting.
The city oversees 108.8 miles of water main and provides fresh water to 9,300 customers.
Interim City Manager Michael Long said this request sprang from three separate issues.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore has repeatedly questioned why the city is billing 3 million gallons of water, while it's pumping 7 to 8 million gallons. The review may show if the system has leaks or has uncounted meters hooked up to it.
Also, Anthony DeCaro has seen some places for improvement in the plant, Long said. With the resignation of Director of Municipal Utilities Frank DeOrio, DeCaro is handling the water treatment plant.
Staff members have examined the city's infrastructure as much as they can, but further review will require more money and become more labor intensive.
Long would like to see the city work with other communities to understand how efficient the city's water distribution system is throughout Cayuga County.
The county owes money to the city, so Councilor David Dempsey suggested the city use the money to fund the study.
Another reason the council will vote on the examination is because the city is losing veteran workers of the water treatment plant. The utilities department is facing retirements and departures, which means the city is losing the institutional knowledge, Long said. The study would help inform new incoming employees.
The vote comes a week after the council tabled a resolution promising $25,000 from the city to help with the estimated $60,000 annual cost of a full-time Owasco Lake inspector. The proposal also calls for $25,000 from Cayuga County and $10,000 from the town of Owasco.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
Interim City Manager Michael Long said this request sprang from three separate issues.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore has repeatedly questioned why the city is billing 3 million gallons of water, while it's pumping 7 to 8 million gallons. The review may show if the system has leaks or has uncounted meters hooked up to it.
Also, Anthony DeCaro has seen some places for improvement in the plant, Long said. With the resignation of Director of Municipal Utilities Frank DeOrio, DeCaro is handling the water treatment plant.
Staff members have examined the city's infrastructure as much as they can, but further review will require more money and become more labor intensive.
Long would like to see the city work with other communities to understand how efficient the city's water distribution system is throughout Cayuga County.
The county owes money to the city, so Councilor David Dempsey suggested the city use the money to fund the study.
Another reason the council will vote on the examination is because the city is losing veteran workers of the water treatment plant. The utilities department is facing retirements and departures, which means the city is losing the institutional knowledge, Long said. The study would help inform new incoming employees.
The vote comes a week after the council tabled a resolution promising $25,000 from the city to help with the estimated $60,000 annual cost of a full-time Owasco Lake inspector. The proposal also calls for $25,000 from Cayuga County and $10,000 from the town of Owasco.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
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