Niles finds temporary solution to water problems

By Jordan Cohen

news@vindy.com

NILES

A portable flushing device attached to a hydrant on Carnegie Avenue so far has been successful in clearing up badly discolored water.

Now, the city hopes for the same result from a second flusher on Nebraska Avenue.

Residents of the two streets and Difford Drive have long complained about brown and orange water in their faucets and toilets. Michele Puccetti, who lives on Carnegie, said the water “smelled like something burning.”

Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith lent the portable flushers to the city as a test to see if the battery-operated devices could eliminate the issue temporarily.

Residents say, for the most part, they are pleased with what they have seen since the first one was installed Aug. 17.

“It’s gotten better, but I did notice some slight orange coloring the other day,” Puccetti said. “It had cleared up after they installed the flusher.”

“The water has been pretty good, and it’s nowhere near like the problem we had,” said Ron Masciangelo, who also lives on Carnegie. “It was disgusting, but it isn’t any longer.”

Water Superintendent Andy Catanzarite said earlier that tests have indicated no health hazards with the water.

“We’re using a filter for drinking water, and we’re comfortable enough to bathe in it,” Masciangelo said. He and his wife had purchased bottled water and avoided drinking from the tap as long as the water remained discolored.

The second portable flusher was installed on Nebraska Avenue on Wednesday.

Council Ryan McNaughton, D-at large, chairman of the utilities committee, said there is a reason the portables are only a temporary solution.

“We can’t use these flushers in the winter, [because] they’re not built for it,” McNaughton said. “Sooner rather than later, we have to have a discussion on purchasing permanent electric flushers.”

Their costs are estimated between $4,000 and $5,000 each.

“If this gets us through the year and keeps the water flowing, then we can tie in the lines and find that long-term solution,” McNaughton said.

James DePasquale, safety-service director, said that after the portables are removed, the affected hydrants may have to be flushed in the winter to assure the residents of clean drinking water until the permanent devices can be installed underground. He told council installation is unlikely until sometime in 2017.

The city has applied for a $225,000 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission, which DePasquale said will cover the costs of tying the permanent flushers in with the existing sewer lines. The director said the city’s local share of about $70,000 will have to come from the water department fund, which has been in deficit.

Awarding of the grant, much like the permanent installation, will not happen anytime soon.

“We won’t see that grant money for a year,” McNaughton said.