SC COUNCIL PURCHASE EMERGENCY WATER VALVE

SCOTT CITY -- A repairman digging along Main Street in early November struck and ruptured a water main, leaving the city without potable water for two days.

The city was able to repair the break quickly and flush out the lines, but the Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued a boil-water order until the water could be tested to ensure it was free of bacteria.

Residents and businesses were asked to boil their water for several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.

At Monday's Scott City Council meeting, Public Works Director Harold Uelsman asked the members to approve the purchase of a $4,000 hydrostop -- an emergency shutdown valve -- which would prevent such a situation from happening again.

"Breaks in the water main can put this town out of water because we can't shut that part of the main down," said Uelsman. "We cannot be shutting the water system down anymore. We are obligated too much.

"We have all our citizens to consider, the businesses and the Industrial Park area to consider," he continued. "We can't afford our town to be without water ever again."

After the city repaired the most recent break, Uelsman said he discovered a valve that continues to leak but cannot be fixed under the current condition of the line.

"I'm afraid if we go in there and touch it the valve will blow off and we would be right back in the same place as we were when the line was first broken," he said.

"I consider it an emergency that we purchase the hydrostop and install it as quickly as possible," said Uelsman. He also recommended the purchase of a second hydrostop in the near future -- as soon as the city can afford the expense.

The council concurred.

"We really need to do this," said Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan. "Without these valves, our whole city could be without water. And Harold's right, we can't afford for that to happen."

Ultimately, two hydrostops will be placed in the water main -- one at Lincoln Street and the other at Jefferson Street. The hydrostops can be installed without shutting off the water, Uelsman said.

The council unanimously approved the purchase of a single hydrostop, which Uelsman had already ordered. The council also asked the city attorney to determine the conditions of the initial break in an attempt to assess fault-liability.