Downtown Safety: Lights vs Trees

The police and forestry staff have completed another survey of the downtown area to look for lighting issues that would impact the safety of downtown residents. Last May they did one sweep through the downtown and were able to complete that work by June. This time they found several burnt out lights and lots of work for forestry that will take them a few months to complete. They even identified some areas where they need to add some lighting. If you live in the downtown area and are aware of lighting issues, please check the list below to see if they are aware of it or report it to the appropriate people.

The following lights were found to be out or in need of maintenance as of Sept. 19:

516 E Johnson
640 E Johnson
300 block N Franklin
E Gilman: light 2198 out
Wisconsin at Gorham: light 4501
Howard Place: L013
Langdon west of Henry: light 4519
Langdon west of Howard Pl: P14
Gilman west of Henry: light 2184
414 Gilman at Amy's Café
W Dayton west of Marion: light 4070
W Dayton at Bedford: light 4068
W Dayton: light 4066
N Frances (Dayton to Johnson): light 4563
Regent west of W Wash: light 1589M
Regent at Murray: light 1595M
Brooks south of Univ Ave: light 5721
10 S Bassett: light 2109
10 S Broom: light 2014
S Broom at W Main: light 2016
W Wilson at Broom: light 1954

We will pursue additional lights on the following streets:
1200-1300 Spring St
N Orchard: Regent to Dayton
Fahrenbrook Ct: Brooks to Mills

Additional light outages should be reported to Mike Christoph at 266-4767.

Tree trimming is necessary at the following locations:

415 N. Carroll St
Parking lot on N. Carroll for Bethel Luthern
Henry & Gilman Apts. On W. Gilman
508 N. Henry
408 N. Henry
430 W. Gilman St
409 N. Francis St
305 N. Francis
114 N. Basset
10 Blk. N. Basset & W. Wash southbound
100 Blk. N Bassett & W. Wash southbound
211 S. Bedford across street
219 S. Bedford
531 W. Mifflin St
547 W. Mifflin St
416 N. Butler
Butler & Gilman
130 E. Gilman
104 E. Gilman St
300 Blk. N. Pickney & Johnson St
Masonic Temple on Wisconsin
Bethel Luthern on Wisconin
103 Langdon
127 Langdon
135 Langdon
245 Langdon
22 N. Franklin
114 N. Franklin
128 N. Franklin
Franklin & Gilman
24/26 N. Butler
136 N. Butler
Gates of Heaven on E. Gorham
304 Butler
10 Blk. E. Johnson
138 E. Johnson
318 E. Johnson
626 E. Johnson
710 E. Johnson
740 E. Johnson
E. Johnson & Livingston on Johnson
10 S. Franklin
512 E. Main
Across from 321 E. Main
100 S. Butler on State Bldg. Side
541 W. Wash
1317 Spring St
1000 College Ct
10 N. Broom (Capital Grill)

If you are aware of addition lighting issues caused by the trees, please report them to Marla Eddy in City Forestry at 266-4450.

Water Updates: Well 3 Shutting Down

Well No. 3 Shut Down for Winter Following Elevated Carbon Tetrachloride Reading (Serves Tenney Lapham Area)

The Utility took Well No. 3 off standby operation today and began preparing it for winter shut down upon receipt this morning of a sample result showing a carbon tetrachloride level of 6.2 ppb. A violation of water quality standards and regulations would occur if three consecutive samples from the well exceeded 5 ppb. A sample taken in June had a carbon tetrachloride level of 4.7 ppb. Though the water quality regulation has not been violated, we are concerned about this level of carbon tetrachloride in the well, so we are shutting it down for the winter earlier than planned. Over the winter and before placing the well back in service, we will evaluate options for dealing with the elevated carbon tetrachloride levels in the well. The sample result received today was from a sample collected on September 5th. The well has been on standby status since May in order to minimize the amount of iron and manganese produced from the well. Because it was on standby status, the well had been in operation for a period of only about 4 hours since September 5th. Well No. 3 provides service in the East Isthmus area when it is operating.

Carbon tetrachloride is a contaminant found in solvents and produced from industrial processes. By making some well modifications, the Utility has been able to maintain levels below regulated standards when the well is pumped on a regular basis. It is likely that placing the well on standby status and pumping it irregularly has caused carbon tetrachloride levels to rise.

Other City Wells Being Scheduled for Winter Shut Down

Three other wells will be shut down for winter by the end of September. These include Well No. 10 (near west side), Well 29 (far east
side) and Well 8 (near east side). These three wells, all of which produce levels of manganese below any levels of health concern but above aesthetic guidelines, have been on standby status. Five additional city wells will be shut down in October and November. These additional shutdowns are unrelated to manganese levels and are due solely to significant reductions in water demand during the winter months.

Water Quality Manager Interviews Underway

The Utility is conducting interviews this week for its vacant Water Quality Manager position. Following a national search, 14 applications were received for the position, and the field has been narrowed to six individuals who are being interviewed this week. The interview and selection team for the position consists of representatives of the Utility, the Health Department and the Board of Water Commissioners. We hope to have the position filled by the end of the month.

City-wide Sampling Program in Progress

Water quality sampling for manganese throughout the water system is in progress. This follows the sampling programs conducted in the areas served by wells producing the highest levels of manganese and where discolored water reports were highest. Sampling results indicate that iron and manganese levels are low outside these areas and that our flushing program is effective in reducing manganese levels inside these areas.

Flushing Program Update

Water main flushing continues in several areas of the City. Over the next several weeks, the Utility will shift to its traditional nighttime flushing program in order to be able to complete flushing operations throughout the City before cold temperatures force the termination of the program for the year.