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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 - Palm Lake ClubH E M 0 R A N D U M DATE: June 28, 1993 FROM: Richard Votapka, Utilities Director TO: Palm Lake Club & Complaints SUBJECT: Gene Dyke, 4 Andros Lane, Palm Lake Club Mr. Dyke called me at 10:10 a.m. He said he is still concerned about his water. A black ring is still left in the sink and toilet after the water sits a while. He thinks the water is affecting his health. He has diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver and was recently hospitalized for 22 days. His throat is bleeding and he is blaming it on the water. I explained to him that there was iron and sulfur bacteria in the water but not harmful bacteria. I had the Indian River County Health Department run the tests on the system. I told him that since there are so few houses on the main line, the water in his main can stagnate. He asked if there was a possibility of installing a 2" main inside of the 6" main. I said that I had checked with our consultant. He said that doing so would be of little value since there may be so much stagnant water in the large main on Treasure Circle. I told Mr. Dyke that I could try to blow off the line more often, but had no help at the present. Mr. Dyke said that he was leaving at the end of July and wouldn't be back until the end of October. Then, if something isn't done, he would have to take action on his own. He said Mr. Adams, his neighbor, had died two weeks ago. His wife will not return until next year. Therefore, the Dyke residence will be the only residence on Andros Lane using water. I told him I would review the situation and see what could be done. City of Sebastian POST OFFICE BOX 780127 ❑ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978 TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 ❑ FAX (407) 589-5570 April 5, 1993 Mr. Eugene Dyke 4 Andros Lane Sebastian, F1. 32958 Dear Mr. Dyke: I enjoyed meeting you on Friday, March 12th in regard to the water quality problems at Palm Lake Club. Since our meeting, I have reviewed the Public Drinking Water Analyses given to me by the Indian River County Utilities Dept; met with Glenn Schuessler, Assistant Director of the Indian River County Environmental Health Dept., met with the County Utilities Dept, operating personnel at the Park Place water treatment plant which supplies the potable drinking water to Palm Lake Club; and met with the City's environmental engineering consultant. In my discussion with the above individuals I explained the presence of a black film which has appeared in the sinks and toilet tanks throughout several residences in Palm Lake Club. I also stated the fact that I found no chlorine residual in your water at your residence , at the blowoff on the west end of Andros Lane, at the Palm Lake Clubhouse and at a model home further east of the clubhouse. Mr. Brad O'Keefe, Indian River County Water Superintendent, acknowledged that maintaining a chlorine residual in Palm Lake Club has been difficult. Basically, the problem originates from the lack of demand for water within Palm Lake Club. Since there are only 20 customers on the water system, there is an insufficient quantity of water used to allow for an adequate turnover rate in the mains. Unfortunately, the water then becomes stagnant in the mains. The free chlorine residual is oxidized and reduced to zero. A minimum of 0.2 ppm should be maintained. A reduction of the chlorine residual to zero does not constitute a health threat though. It only means that there is no free chlorine to react with any other bacteria, if bacteria should somehow be present. In talking with Mr. Schuessler and Mr. Hartman regarding the black film you and other neighbors have found, they are in agreement as to what the cause can be. Black water can be caused by anaerobic (living in the absence of oxygen) iron bacteria, anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria, or manganese. In reviewing the Drinking Water Analyses, I found that the levels of iron, and manganese were considerably below the maximum contaminant levels found in the State's drinking water standards. Unfortunately, Page Two of Two Letter of April 5, 1993 to Mr. Eugene Dyke because analysis of hydrogen sulfide was not required, there was no analytical result for it. Hydrogen sulfide, as you probably know, gives water the characteristic "rotten egg" smell as found in sulfur water from deep wells. I did take a hydrogen sulfide test of your neighbor's (Mr. Adams) water. Nothing readily showed up at the time but it appears now that the test disk I kept on file has turned a dark brown indicating a strong presence of hydrogen sulfide. This may indicate a concentration or build up of sulfate bacteria in the mains which would cause a reduction of the free chlorine residual. The sulfate bacteria in itself does not constitute a health threat. However, if left unchecked, it could cause a black film or residue, eventually impart a rotten egg smell to the water, and over a long period of time foul the water meter. To remove it, the mains will have to be flushed and heavily chlorinated. I will again talk to Mr. Schuessler about taking additional tests for the anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria to determine if this is the problem causing the black film in your water. If it is, I will ask the County to correct it before the City takes over the system. Also. I have discussed with Mr. Hartman and Mr. O'Keefe the possibility of isolating a large segment of 6" main on Treasure Circle which doesn't serve any residences at present. This will isolate a large portion of stagnant water in the Palm Lake Club water system. Lastly, Mr. Hartman agrees with me that all of the 6" mains installed on cul-de-sacs such as Andros Lane are oversized. A 3" main would be entirely sufficient to serve the domestic usage and irrigation systems (if any) for the six or seven residences on the cul-de-sacs. There will never be a quantity of water used by so few residences to generate a minimum flushing velocity of 2 feet per second through the 6" main. There are, unfortunately, no fire hydrants installed on any of these cul-de- sacs for proper flushing of the 6" main. Therefore, I am considering installation of a 3" water main with a 2" blowoff at the terminal end of the main for Andros Lane, Blue Marlin Lane, White Marlin Lane, and Abaco Court. Once the majority of residences are constructed on the lots along these cul-de-sacs, there should be no stagnant water within the 3" mains because the volume of water will be one fourth that of the 6" main and a flushing velocity will be attained. Page Three of Three Letter of April 5, 1993 to Mr. Eugene Dyke Thank you for bringing to my attention the problems that Palm Lake Club is currently experiencing. Hopefully, these problems can be solved but please understand that it will take a considerable amount of time to do so. I would appreciate your co-operation and patience in this matter. Thank you, also, for letting me borrow a copy of your utility bill. Your original bill dated Feb. 10, 1993 is enclosed. Sincerely, z�O�.Zk4:�-4 Richard B. Votapka, P.E. Utilities Director cc: Robb McClary, City Manager RBV: pwb enclosure I.• CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER 14 83S 3 —122240 SERVICE ADDRESS , 4 ANDROS LN PREVIOUS CURRENT METER METER I CONSUMPTION CODE AMOUNT READING READING 29 31 2 WA 14.70 SW 21.20 Cl'TT OF SaffATTTM.N CS 2. 15 Ft#^ AuE Fe ST i.47 LATE CHARGE FIN 2.68 TOTAL DUE 42.20 NUMBER OF SEWER ERU'S: 1.00 NUMBER OF WATER ERU'S: 1.00 PREVIOUS READ DATE CURRENT READ DATE NUMBER OF DAYS i/06/93 2/04/93 29 BILLING DATE DELINQUENT AFTER THIS DATE: i 2/10/93 3/02/93 CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER CURRENT READ DATE L 14S3vi3--122240 .a0--i.2 SERVICE ADDRESS 29 4 ANDROS LN DELINQUENT AFTER PREVIOUS CURRENT THIS DATE: 2/.1.0/93 METER METER I CONSUMPTION CODE AMOUNT READING READING 29 31 2 WA 14.70 8W 21.20 GTTT OF SWASTPFN © 2. 1'S PrT4ua Pee ST _ i.47 LATE CHARGE PN 2.68 TOTAL DUE 42.20 �--lys3 6 �/ f NUMEAER OF SEWER ERU' f3 + 1.00 NUM14ER OF WATER ERU'S: 1.00 PREVIOUS READ DATE CURRENT READ DATE NUMBER OF DAYS i/06/93 2/04/93 29 BILLING DATE DELINQUENT AFTER THIS DATE: 2/.1.0/93 3/02/93 a F; le: Pl1,-,LLL4. Club CITY OF SEBASTIAN UTILITIES DEPARTMENT DATE: April 20, 1993 TIME: 9:22 AM [ ] CONFERENCE WITH: [X ] TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH: Mrs. Audrey Dyke, 4 Andros Lane, Palm Lake Club SUBJECT: Drinking Water Tests RESUME OF CONVERSATION: I called Mrs. Dyke to inform her that both Glenn Schuessler of the Indian River County Environmental Health Department and I took tests at her house, Mr. Adams house, and the clubhouse at Palm Lake Club yesterday afternoon. I told her that despite the fact that she wasn't home. That was the best available time for Glenn to take the tests. Mrs. Dyke was told by Mr. Adams that we had taken tests from the outside hose bibbs around her house. I told her that we did not because we found that the outside hose bibbs were all connected to her well. We took tests at the blowoff at the end of Andros Lane, at the sink in Mr. Adams house, and from the men's and women's rooms at the clubhouse. We also met with Mr. Robert Parker at 41 Treasure Circle and drank his water. Although he had outside filters on his water service, Glenn and I detected a faint "iron" aftertaste. He did say that he had some scale which is caused by the hardness of the water. Glenn and I did find a dark stain about 1/4" wide in the toilet bowls at the clubhouse. We did not find anything in the toilet tanks except orange fine sand. Mrs. Dyke said that she made some tea this morning and it had a darkish film on it. I told her that it may be the iron in the water but I was only speculating. She asked how it could be iron when there were plastic pipes in the ground. I told her that since there were ductile iron fittings such as tees, bends, plugs, and valves that the non-pathogenic iron bacteria could be reacting with it. She said that the water is very clear and tastes better after the County flushes the main. I told her that because there are so few water customers in Palm Lake Club and so much water in the 6" mains that the water in the lines is probably stagnant. That's why the water has to be flushed periodically. I told her that I would know something definite when the test results were received by Glenn Schuessler. I would give her a call to let her know. ORIGINATED BY: �/�- COPY TO DATE: March 26, 1993 CITY OF SEBASTIAN UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TIME: 4:40 PM [ X ] CONFERENCE WITH: Gerry Hartman, Hartman & Associates, Inc. [ ] TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH: SUBJECT: Palm Lake Club - Lack of CL2 Residual and Black Film in water RESUME OF CONVERSATION: I told Gerry that I had visited Gene Dyke, a resident of Palm Lake Club on March 12, 1993, to investigate a complaint about black water in his residence. I told Gerry about the lack of chlorine residual and my discussion with Glenn Schuessler of the I.R. Co. DHRS. Gerry said that most probably the black film was caused by anaerobic pyrite (iron) bacteria, anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria, or manganese. Aerobic iron bacteria will turn the water red. Most probably the sulfate bacteria is not a health threat, since it is not a pathogenic bacteria. However, it is possible that the sulfate bacteria will permeate the entire water system in the absence of chlorine. It will increase in concentration and use up any free chlorine coming into the Palm Lake Club system from Park Place. It will create "black" water and a hydrogen sulfide "rotten egg" smell. Eventually, the sulfate bacteria will plug and foul the meters. To remove it, the mains must be flushed and superchlorinated. The entire distribution system could be filled with chlorine, segments valved off, and flushed. Of course, residents must be notified. A program could be set up for flushing the system through fire hydrants in the particular segment. Use 4" fire hoses from the hydrants. If this doesn't work, a soft "pig" can be used to clean the system but the mains will have to be cut in various places. ORIGINATED BY: COPY TO: Page Two of Two March 26, 1993 Record of Meeting with Gerry Hartman I asked Gerry about isolating a portion of the Palm Lake Club System which did not serve any residences. He said you could do this but he would recommend the following: 1) Discuss this with the owner. If any mobile homes will be installed on the lots which would be served by the isolated water main, the isolated main would have to be re -activated and tested for bacteria. 2) Advise DER, Orlando office, of the portion to be isolated and steps to reactivate it. 3) Pump in liquid chlorine in two areas south of the valve by Lot 38 on the inside loop and south of the valve near Lot 20 south of Andros Lane. As the chlorine is being introduced and the main is being flushed, the individual lot services must be flushed. As soon as the strong smell of chlorine is detected from the end of the open service, the curb stop shall be closed so as to minimize the amount of water lost due to flushing. All hydrants must be flushed as well. 4) The isolated main can then be left with the high dosage of chlorine in it with valves closed by Lots 38 and 20. =�4WCI'A CITY OF SEBASTIAN UTILITIES DEPARTMENT DATE: March 4, 1993 TIME: I CONFERENCE WITH 4:35 PM [ X ] TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH: Eugene Dyke (589-4809). SUBJECT: Problem with County water at his Palm Lake Club residence RESUME OF CONVERSATION: In the course of my conversation with Harty Ashes at 3:30 PM today regarding the customer deposits for Park Place, Harry mentioned in passing that a Mr. Eugene Dyke, who lives at 4 Andros Lane, north of Park Place, has had same carplaints in the past with the County water. Harry said Mr. Dyke had a problem with his throat, so the County reduced the amount of chlorine dis- infecting the water. Harry gave me his name, address and phone no. I called Mr. Dyke to introduce myself as Sebastian's new Utilities Department Director and to learn more about Mr. Dyke's problem. Mr. Dyke explained that he had cirrhosis as a result of a heart condition. He told me that he had to go to the doctor each mouth to have blood vessels in his esophagus cauterized. The strong chlorine in the water had burned his throat until the County reduced the dosage in the system. Now he said that the water is black in his camndes. Mr. Dyke said that the black water is throughout the mobile home canmmty. He thinks that it is attributable to the hydrogen sulfide in the raw water supply. Mr. Dyke said that he lives on a dead end (cul -;c -sac) since August of 1992. He said that if this issue isn't resolved by March 15, 1993, Mr. Dyke would disconnect from the County system. I told him that I would review the situation and chemical tests reports. I would call him back or meet with him once I gathered more information and had a chance to review. ORIGINATED BY: � �� 6•V COPY TO YROBB MCCLAW, City Manager City of Sebastian POST OFFICE BOX 780127 ❑ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978 TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 ❑ FAX (407) 589-5570 PALM Ur Ve cwB pts 0-0. mgll )kC--(vi4l l% -=S -T lbISK STATE OF FLORIDA p�� DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH N17' dyiiL TIVE SERVICES HRS -INDIAN RIVER TH UNIT CONTROL # DATE -----TIME.....__ _ RECEIVED BY 2-0552 10/15/92 2 PM GRS I. COMPLAINT LOCATION: 4 Andros Lane, Palm Lake Club, Sebastian Owner: Gene Dyke Owner Address: Phone: 589-4809 II. COMPLAINANT: Same as above Address: Phone- III. DESCRIPTION OF COMPLAINT: Public water at his residence has terrible taste and color. Appears to be stagnant. Utilities is not cooperative. IV. ACTION TAKEN: Date/Time: 10/15/92 - Agreed to contact Utilities and perform field tests when in the area. 10/22/92 - Observed high levels of chlorine in kitchen (+S.Oppm). Collected 2 samples for bacteria. County Utilities is presently running water at blow -off to keep water from getting stagnant. 10/26/92 - Samples satisfactory. Contacted water operator. Brad 0":Keefe about high chlorine residual. Agreed that +S.Oppm is too high, Agreed to lower residual ASAP. ff COMPLAINT VALID: YES_X NO LEGAL NOTICE: YES POCKET NOTICE # CERTIFIED # NO x COMPLAINANT NOTIFIED: YES X NO DATE COMPLETE INVESTIGATOR: DATE 10/26/92 D BY: fw � (See back) State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services Office of Laboratory Services p.0. Box 210 Jacksonville, Florida 32231 DRINKING WATER BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS Ca�---�• CJ -Z, �cl�,a-t A'ACS•YSTEM I.D. NO.: SYSTEM NAME: �t,� V-N"t t COUNTY: ADDRESS: ... n r ... c FOR LAB USE ONLY NRS-IrWen River Canary P18kc Namh I" bb, 0 23337 Date a rime Teliffed 104 3 /9 �- 3U DER DISTRICT: 6, S cam`. SAMPLE SITE (Locality or Subdivision): RAW O REATED' DATE AND TIME COLLECTED: Com �.,typublic water Non -community public water system Other puhlic water system TYPE OF SUPPLY (Circle one):Swimming toolBottled waterPrivate w� � Main Clearance Well Survey " Cher cify) 1 J TYPE OF SAMPLE (Circle one): Compliance Recheck REMARKS: NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON/FIRM TO RECEIVE REPORT ( ) RE -SUBMIT REVIEWING OFFICIAL: l ) TITLE: INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HEALTH UNIT u 79 edition) DATE DAILY WORK REPORT BOB KORDA TIME IN TIME OUT WORK COMPLETED O O c 0 R Ih ?� q" LcA K DcT-< 7nljera 44 Aib m j� Clan L,' T iT-j A M k u UivrFo�� 00 /�'I i m -e/LA % M Go o •T.0 IGhIN L�$T .M WAS ,o AT w 1,P,- , APARK PIA -f - I•d A� Palm Ln1�e�lr 4�s?-e-rd� Io -� R:00 NOON T, P, I.--? I o 11'00 5 Lo -v 19,,!l4c! r AN 014 te Abltr 93' Fr0M L, S ITq i N moi' �/ F'roeA F)o I' 4-T plys DrAIN on ,ecl< STa� c . Presvih 3A26 1 -1 rALI e tt4 WA 1u < 'I C I o 1 w q w f T4tr 10 m 1 F L rN 4' A T 17re& eye A iaf h Ir ALL ai 4-1 K 11 a c or : l o n I' N 0, H ' �lqlic-Pr-r- s ci r c 6q. h k n -T 4)vjro5 LN reAs Clrc�e. A ,\-4 o•C -f 7e 19 , ( Flk 0 REMARKS. ✓ by /w 3:4-7 pM y,3o P� FluSl, �Ch'40 13 (OW G 0 6 FiiL cit -4,- LeV� z a, oc-_ 19, 09-3 City of Sebastian POST OFFICE BOX 780127 o SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978 TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 October 19, 1993 FAX 407-589-5570 Mr. Eugene Dyke 4 Andros Lane Sebastian, FL 32958 Dear Mr. Dyke: Pursuant to our conversation this morning, I am enclosing a copy of the Palm Lake Club Minimum Bill and a copy of the pages from the City of Sebastian Rate Resolution pertaining to water and sewer charges per 1000 gallons. This information should aide you in determining your bill. In reference to the black ring around your toilet bowl. I am still uncertain as to what it may be. I have had samples taken by the Indian River County Environmental Health Department so that the substance could be identified, but the Health Department could not give me a specific answer. I had thought that the solution to the problem would be through flushing the main and making sure that the free chlorine residual was high enough to destroy any iron, sulfide, or other non -harmful bacteria in the water that could be causing the problem. Bob Korda, my Utility Service Worker, has located and replumbed the 2" blowoff at the end of the 6" water main on Andros Lane. He has flushed the main and determined that there is a sufficient chlorine residual to destroy any bacteria in the main. However, you still have the same problem with the black film in your toilet bowl as evidenced by your call. Since you did inform me that you don't have a softener, it could be possible that the calcium carbonate scale in the hard water precipitates in the toilet bowl causing any organic matter to cling to it, forming a ring. This, of course, is speculation on my part. I am still not sure of the cause of the problem. I will have Bob check with you and take additional tests when he returns from vacation next week. Meanwhile, when you take the water samples of the water before and after your reverse osmosis unit and have them analyzed at Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, please let me know the results of the analysis. Thank you. SSiin�cerely, f Richard B. Votapka, P.E. Utilities Director RBV/nsv May 20, 1993 Palm Lake Club Minimum Billing Water Billing Charge S 2.00 Base Facility Charge 9.20 Volume Charge 0-500 gallons 0.00 S 11.20 Sewer Billing Charge S 2.00 Base Facility Charge 13.50 Volume Charge 852 of Water Use 0-500 gallons 0.00 S 15.50 Sub total S 26.70 6% Payment in Lieu of Franchise Fee 1.60 42 Utility Tax 1.07 Minimum Bill S 29.37 EXHIBIT "A" SCHEDULE OF WATER AND SEWER RATES, FEES AND 1993 MONTHLY RATES 1993 Water Billing Charge - Per Account $2.00 Base Facilities Charge Where Lines Are Available - Per ERU Base Facilities Charge Where Capacity is Reserved But Lines Are Not Available - Per ERU $4.60 Volume Charge 0 to 3,000 Gallons Per Month Per ERU Except Irrigation Only - Per 1,000 Gallons Per Month $1.75 3,001 to 7,000 Gallons Per Month Per ERU and Irrigation Only '0 - 7,000 Gallons Per 1,000 Gallons $2.15 Over 7,000 Gallons Per Month Per ERU - Per 1,000 Gallons $2.55 Excess Volume Surcharge For Use Greater than 13,000 Gallons Per Month Per ERU - Per 1,000 Gallons $2.30 Sewer Billing Charge - Per Account $2.00 Base Facilities Charge Where Lines Are Available - Per ERU $13.50 Base Facilities Charge Where Capacity is Reserved But Lines Are Not Available - Per ERU $6.75 SCHEDULE OF :ER AND SEWER RATES, FEES D CHARGES 1993 (continued) Volume Charge - Calculated as $573.00 85% of Water Use - Per 1,000 Gallons - $597.00 10,000 Gallon Per Month Maximum for $1,570.00 Residential Customers $3.35 Excess Volume Surcharge For Use Greater than 11,000 Gallons $1,159.00 Per Month Per ERU - Per 1,000 Gallons $4.45 Excess Sewage Strength Charge Sewage Chaba} Total Ration of T,cal Dissolved or Biochemi.,-i Oxygen milligrams PPa liter / 250 Excess Sewage Strength Charge Applicable to Customers Required to Use Greasetraps But Who Have Obtained a Variance Due to Hardship or Financial Unfeasibility SeDtace Charge Per 1,000 Gallons $105.00 IMPACT FEES Water - Per ERU Water Treatment and Storage $573.00 Water Transmission $597.00 Total $1,570.00 Sewer - Per ERU Wastewater Treatment and Sludge Disposal $1,159.00 Effluent Disposal $716.00 Wastewater Transmission $676.0.0 Total $2,551.00 FA Muc- Car\PLA,�rrs-Ka.Dqua DATE DAILY WORK REPORT BOB KORDA TIME IN TIME OUT WORK COMPLETED 8'OD ri ol o m �iaV, 0 r8ors :2o Ain J Slow M �o T `f I �i Lor r, oN M;3o AM RLhd Me EIS se I,Me.LI AtL u,j) norll w�N--r is �.' 4, A0 1 T s_ I�C 1 I0, MA RP C, I AG s nDo M T or A N A M .o'M LJALNr h om C Ir ,N2 A_C P4PK PJAC4-r, Cl I Ija5 rJ IN 01\4 A 1 r.,eCT rti C cif h A vc O Rc I M l b o t19 IN -ToJ9X :U9 �fl PJp o we.ohs60 0 O Ike S J I TO /I A f- I- /N5 licl' 3-/5 Az,(, To Pqro, P1 PC4 Noo r P, Tt F $ , REMARKS: - - h@wAR1> s SAH� Woke. 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