2017.02.13 Council Agenda Item 06

The Public Works Director hosted a public forum on the Middle Road construction project on January 17, 2017. At that meeting, several residents spoke in favor of extending public water to the Cumberland town line. Their comments are represented in the attached memorandum from Public Works Director Jay Reynolds. 

The Town Council discussed this matter at its meeting on January 23, 2017. At this meeting, the Town Council requested the following:

• Offer well water testing for each homeowner in the study area that had access to a public road
• Evaluate the potential build-out for the study area
• Update the cost estimate to extend public water once the results of bidding have been received for a similar project in the Town of Cumberland.

The Town hired water testing and quality consultant Mary Bowers and offered comprehensive well water testing to all homeowners in the study area. Eleven of eighteen homes were tested and the test results are attached. The test results identified typical results for this area. Ms. Bowers has reviewed the following information and contributed to it.

• Eight of the eleven tests identified higher levels of sodium. All but one of these eight homes relied on some sort of treatment system for hardness, iron or radon. Research has shown that sodium levels are higher with treatment systems. Water softeners typically introduce sodium and it’s common to see sodium levels reach as high as 300 mg/l. Target levels for drinking water are 20mg/l. The ranges of the eight homes over 20mg/l are from 20.9mg/l to 177 mg/l. The typical daily allowance, recommended by the American Heart Association is 2,300 mg/day. The recommended daily intake of water typically equates to about 2 liters. A well with 177 mg/l of sodium would contain 354 mg of sodium in 2 liters; this would be 15% of the daily sodium allowance. If sodium intake is a concern, there are additional treatments that a homeowner can install to remove sodium. 
• Four of the eleven tests identified higher levels of radon. Two were between 4,000 and 5,000 Picocuries per liter and two results showed between 9,000 and 10,000. The State of Maine recommends no treatment for tests lower than 4,000 and treatment for anything over 10,000. The State recommends calling their Radon specialist for advice on whether to treat for any results between 4,000 and 10,000. Staff contacted Bob Stilwell at the Radon program for the State of Maine. Mr. Stilwell takes calls from homeowners on a daily basis and offered information that is generally helpful, but it is advised that individual homeowners contact him directly at 1-800-232-0842 for assistance. Mr. Stilwell indicated that these radon levels are not atypical and that treatment is not always recommended. He explained that it's not radon in the water that is a concern, but rather the radon, in its gaseous state, that bubbles out. It dissipates more if there are more people in the household using the water. He indicated that treatment is an option, with costs between $1,800 and $5,000, but first advised air testing and air treatments for the best value in an investment. Ms. Bowers indicated that in her experience, the better treatment units could cost between $3,000 and $6,000. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For more information about radon, click here: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/rad/radon/hp-radon.htm
• One home tested higher for arsenic. To learn more about arsenic, follow these links to the State of Maine web site: Arsenic tip sheet; Maine CDC Arsenic Page. According to advice offered by the first link, while residents whose water has over 10 ppb and under 50 ppb and do not have a treatment system should not drink the water or use it to make drinks like coffee, tea, juice or infant formula, it would be safe to cook with and for other uses.  Research has shown that treatment systems installed by homeowners can run approximately $3,000.
• One home tested higher for iron and two homes appear to have iron removal treatment systems. According to our consultant, four additional homes have softeners which may have been added to treat excessive iron in the well water. She went on to explain how one homeowner has an excessive problem where he has to have the well pump cleaned annually.  Normally, the presence of iron is not necessarily a health related concern. The issue is more with taste and discoloration.

Theo Holtwijk prepared a report on the potential build-out based on a study from Wright Pierce. The report is attached. Also attached is an updated cost estimate based on the Town of Cumberland recent bids. The estimated cost has decreased from $750,000 to $500,000.

Additional Background Information: 
On February 8, 2016, the Council authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Wright-Pierce for the preparation of a Public Water System Study for Falmouth. This study was prepared in response to inquiries by residents as to the scope of Middle Road reconstruction planned for 2017-18 and the Council's 2015-16 Work Plan which contains a Comprehensive Plan action item (CP 31) that reads "Proactively plan for sewer, water, and other utility extensions in the designated growth area.  (...) Establish a plan for additional public water service in the designated growth area in cooperation with the Portland Water District (PWD)." The Portland Water District (PWD) participated in this study. The services of Wright-Pierce were procured through a competitive bid process. The study findings concluded that the growth area is well served by the existing water system. 

The draft study findings were reviewed with the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee and presented at a Public Forum held on July 6, 2016. The Town Council adopted an Order on July 25, 2016 to accept the study. The Town Manager received several comments and questions from residents in the neighborhood at that time. The e-mail exchange is attached.