Niles water quality issues worsen

August 17, 2016 at 12:08a.m.

Reports of orange water, burning odor prompts ideas from county engineer

NILES

No one has to explain to Michele Puccetti and Beth Masciangelo how bad the water is at their Carnegie Avenue homes.

They and their fellow residents on Difford and Nebraska streets have been living with it for some time – and they’re fed up.

“We have brown water coming in and out of the faucet, and it turns orange in the toilet,” Puccetti said. “It even smells like something burning.”

Masciangelo says she has to buy bottled water because she won’t drink from the tap.

“We have to bathe in it because we have no choice,” she said. “My hair used to be bright silver, and the water has changed it.”

The two were among several residents who showed up for a meeting of city council’s utilities committee Tuesday to discuss the city’s escalating water problems.

Andy Catanzarite, water and wastewater plant supervisor, said he believes “a phosphate issue” may be behind the orange color.

“We’ve got the [Mahoning Valley Sanitary District] looking into it, but there’s not a whole heck of a lot we can do,” Catanzarite told the committee. So far, there is no explanation for the phosphate problems.

“There are people here that we have to help now,” said committee Chairman Ryan McNaughton, D-at large.

Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith, who attended the meeting, suggested a temporary solution – the use of portable water flushers to flush the hydrants until the water quality improves. The portable mechanisms are programmable.

“We’ll have to dump some water straight onto the ground, but at least you’ll have clear water,” said Ron Watson of Smith’s engineering staff.

Smith said if tests show the portables work, the city could then purchase permanent devices.

However, the cost, an estimated $4,000 to $5,000 per unit, could be an issue for financially distressed Niles, which has been in fiscal emergency since October 2014.

Council President Robert Marino said the city’s state- appointed fiscal supervisors appear to be supportive of efforts to fund repairs from the city’s beleaguered finances.

“My hope is we can turn [the funding issue] over to [the city auditor],” Marino said. “We need to get moving on this.”

Niles’ aging water infrastructure continues to take its toll. The city has endured nearly 50 water-main breaks since the beginning of the year.

Catanzarite reported that repair and replacement of hydrants has been scaled back while installation of new water meters has stopped.

The shorthanded water department is down to four employees, but two laborers will be added to the workforce next week.

Smith said some additional financial help may be available, but not immediately.

He said the city has two weeks to apply for a grant, possibly $225,000, however the money would not be available until next summer, which was of little solace to those suffering with water problems.

“We don’t want to see anyone take a lapse in funding because of the financial situation,” Smith said.

The residents remained quiet throughout the meeting but were clearly frustrated by the unresolved water issues. Several said that as far as they are concerned, repairs have taken too long.

“It’s terrible,” Puccetti said.