Ho-Ho-Kus August 1, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Engineers discuss water system, leak detection by Jennifer Crusco Last week, Hazen & Sawyer engineers Katie Hoek and Richard Fahey presented an update on the improvements made to the Ho-Ho-Kus water system, including repairs of leaks that were contributing to the loss of billable water. The effect of those repairs on the amount of unbilled water will be evaluated after the Aug. 15 billing cycle. Water conservation has emerged as a salient issue in Ho-Ho-Kus, which is anticipating a fine from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for exceeding its annual water allocation in 2011. The overage was approximately 40 million gallons. The borough recently applied to the NJDEP for an increase in its water allocation. Hoek discussed non-revenue water, which is water that is unaccounted for and remains unbilled. She pointed out that non-revenue water includes water used for firefighting, street sweeping, and sewer cleaning. Hoek noted that her statistics included a review of water billing data versus pump data. In 2009, she said, a difference between those statistics became evident, and in early 2010, it seemed there was a potential problem. She indicated that the department of public works and borough hall staff members found the discrepancies and consulted with the council. The most recent statistic for non-revenue water showed that approximately 30 percent of all the water being pumped in the borough is not billable. Hoek said the American Water Works Association’s goal for non-revenue water is approximately 15 percent. She said small systems are especially vulnerable to non-revenue water could be 25 to 50 percent. After the borough’s billing and pumping records were reviewed, some meters were adjusted and some billing discrepancies were corrected. The water system’s interconnections, storage tanks and well houses, and the master meters, which Hoek said were 97 to 100 percent accurate, were all checked. The system then underwent preliminary leak testing and repairs and then additional leak testing and further repairs. Hoek said 12 leaks were detected, half of which have been corrected. She pointed out that some of the leaks are the responsibility of the property owners. Councilman Steve Shell, the borough’s water commissioner, asked Hoek to elaborate on the acoustic leak testing. Hoek said 60 percent of that work had been conducted by a firm known as New Tech, which carried out more sophisticated testing, and the balance had been carried out by the DPW. Shell noted that a leak caused by a tiny pinhole could result in the loss of 1.314 million gallons of water per year. Under questioning from Mayor Thomas Randall and Councilman Phil Rorty, the engineers acknowledged that leaks occur in every water system and said they could find a pinhole leak. Hoek noted that the acoustic testing, which is done in at night in the winter to minimize the potential for water to be in use, detects the sounds associated with leaking water. Councilman Shell asked how often acoustic testing should be done, and Hoek said annual testing is recommended. She pointed out that, if the borough were divided in quadrants, one quadrant could be tested each year, so that every four years, the entire borough will have been completed. The cost of having the contractor test the entire borough is approximately $10,000 to $12,000. Responding to Randall’s question about the overall condition of the borough’s water system, Fahey said, “It’s typical of a small system. It’s not bad and it’s not superior.” Randall thanked Ho-Ho-Kus residents for their apparent cooperation with the recent Reverse 911 message regarding the move from two-day-a-week watering to one-day-a-week watering. Shell pointed out that the daily pumping figures have decreased significantly since the Reverse 911 call. Before the call, Shell said the borough was pumping 940 gallons a day. That figure dropped to 685 gallons per day after the call was made. Fahey also clarified that the borough’s water allocation allows for annual pumping of 237 million gallons per year, and 20 million gallons per month. He added that the actual maximum per month has reached 30 million gallons. Resident Jim DeMarco called the watering regulations unacceptable. He asked about the last time there were no watering schedules in Ho-Ho-Kus. Mayor Randall said there had been a schedule approved on an annual basis for as long as he could remember. DeMarco also asked about the 15 percent target for non-revenue water. The engineers referred to their chart, which showed the borough at 17 percent non-revenue water in 2007, 34 percent in 2008, 16 percent in 2009, 32 percent in 2010, and 28 percent in 2011. The resident asked if 30 percent was a norm, and Fahey responded that the range of 30 to 50 percent of non-revenue water is wide, but there are many variables involved. “We agree 30 percent is too high,” Fahey added. DeMarco said residents had been told the excessive use of water was due to waste. He asked if excessive use accounted for the most of the borough’s problem, or whether water loss due to leaks was to blame. Fahey explained that all water use leads to billed water. Leaks lead to non-revenue (non-bill- able) water loss. The mayor noted that the borough has tried to identify the causes of increased water use, and found meter problems and other causes previously discussed. “We’re trying to show the DEP we’re doing all we can to conserve,” Randall said. “We’re pursuing every avenue possible.” DeMarco questioned whether the borough was able to deliver enough water. He said Ho-Ho-Kus is experiencing the same spike that has occurred in other towns that have no water regulations. The resident said he is concerned that the watering regulations have become the new norm. “I hadn’t heard about the leaks until the application (for a water allocation increase) was made,” DeMarco added. “We don’t want (tighter regulations) to be the new norm,” Randall said. “We don’t want to get fined.” He said the borough was attempting to operate within reason and would review the results of the recent repairs. Patty DeMarco then asked about the leaks that had been identified, but had not yet been repaired. The resident said a tight timeline should be required by ordinance. Resident Seymour Zuckerman said if there is a problem, the borough should spend the money to fix it. “Our bucket is leaking,” he added. Powderhorn Road resident Donna Cioffi asked the engineers if they had been associated with the installation of the new pump at Well #1. Fahey said his company was not involved with that project, adding that the pump had been changed by the DPW. The new pump, which pumped more water than its predecessor, led to a DEP shutdown of Well #1. The borough is still in the process of receiving a permit to reopen that well. Cindy Tharayil asked if the engineers were aware that Joseph Sanzari, a former councilman, had recommended the sale of the water system, which Tharayil said Sanzari described as being in decline. She expressed concern about potential costs associated with what she termed “aging mains.” “All water systems are aging,” Fahey told the resident, “even a 10-year-old one.” Hoek added that the key is to stay on top of the repairs. Councilman Doug Troast said the water system is an asset. “It would be absurd to sell it,” he said.