WATER SYSTEM STURDY; OFFICIALS: VERY FEW PROBLEMS SO FAR

After about four months of providing water to Cape Girardeau residents, officials have yet to find evidence that antiquated sections of the water system are badly deteriorated.

Tom Taggart, water system manager for Mid-Missouri Engineering Inc. (MMEI), said Thursday there have been few water main failures since the city took over operation of the water system in June.

"As far as distribution piping goes, we have had what is I think a fairly fortunate year so far," he said. "We've only had three main breaks, and there's a little over 200 miles of line in the main."

Taggart conceded that such line failures are more common in winter and spring months when frost causes the ground to heave. But he said it appears the water system is in good condition, particularly considering its age.

"So far, we're not seeing anything that indicates any real problem," he said. "If anything, the system's in better condition than we expected."

Taggart said MMEI, which operates the water system for the city, has had to repair 30-35 "service line" breaks each month. Service lines are those water lines between mains and individual meters at homes or businesses.

"That might seem like a lot, but there are approximately 14,250 service lines of varying lengths in the city," he said. "So that's not an unusually high number.

"Those leaks primarily are caused just by the age of the piping, especially the older lines that are galvanized pipe and don't hold up as well."

When the service lines fail, Taggart said MMEI generally replaces the entire water line.

"We feel if you're going out there to do the work, it's better to do it once and not worry about it for 30 years rather than have to come back in a year," he said. "But although there have been leaks associated with the system, given the size and age of the system, it's a lot better than could be expected."

The condition of the water distribution system was one concern some residents voiced when voters approved the issuance of nearly $12 million in revenue bonds to purchase the system from Union Electric Co.

Another concern was that the city's water plants were nearing capacity and would have to be upgraded soon.

But Taggart said the pumping stations have adequate production capacity. The mild summer this year left peak water production below last year's levels, he said.

"Our production peaks were slightly lower than in 1991," he said. "July was our pumping peak in 1991, at about 172 million gallons for the month. July this year was 147.9 million gallons. The peak this year was in August, when it was right at 150 million gallons."

Taggart said city officials are drafting a 20-year water system master plan that will examine the issues of water line replacement and possible water plant upgrades.

"The master plan study is now being conducted, the results of which should be made available in December," he said. "As things age, there are going to be parts of the system that will have to be replaced. It's a normal part of any infrastructure."

The master plan also will coordinate extension of the water system to developing areas of the city.

Taggart said there have been four new subdivisions started just since June. "We're not having any problem keeping up with development," he said. "But there are a number of new subdivisions going in, and that's something we have to be prepared to accommodate."

Taggart said one of the most difficult aspects of the transition from Union Electric to the city's operation of the water system was customer billing changes.

"In relation to billings, we did have some questions and complaints," he said.

One of the advantages for buying the water system cited by city officials was that it would provide the city additional leverage with which to force residents to pay delinquent sewer fees.

Comptroller John Richbourg said that since June, the city has sent shut-off notices to 885 accounts, of which 345 now have agreements to pay the delinquent fees over time.

He said 110 of the accounts were actually "shut off," but only 35 of those involved occupied residences.

"Once they get shut off, the only way to get back on is for them to come back in and pay," he said. "Some have done that, I know, but I don't know how many."

Although he said the city has had to "work out some kinks" in the transition, Richbourg deemed the water system purchase a success.

Taggart also said the transition from Union Electric to the city has been smooth.

"There have been no major disruptions," he said. "I think we're providing a high level of customer service, and a lot of people have complimented us on that."