Below is the question that Steve Cox asked on this blog under the topic posting Water System Manager Report. His question on July 7th did not receive an answer, but it is a good one and I think everyone would be interested in the answer. I certainly am not an expert as others claim to be, but from my reading the reports, think I can answer it. I think you will find the answer alarming.
My answer:
The State allows solid un-broken pipe to be left in the ditch. Even in the ditch, fragmented pipe must be removed. As the picture below shows, much of the fragmented pipe stored in the well field, then buried, was not solid full lengths of pipe. The fragmented ends and breaks allow particles to be mixed with the ground soil. (sand)
Not only does Surfside have to dig up and remove the pipe, but also the soil surrounding the buried pipe. Rather, Surfside has to pay for the dig up and removal project. No one is going to agree to a set price. The contractor will determine the extent of material to be removed and we will be charged accordingly. He may set a price by the ton. We need to be prepared for sticker shock. On top of that, we have a fine coming. God only knows what that will be and what it will be based on. They may not decide that until the project is done, and the extent of the violations are fully known.
The violations have not been fully disclosed, but are known by a few of us, including myself.
Some on the Board and Bill Neal know of the extent and the serious ramifications. Some or probably most on the Surfside Board as well as the North Beach Water District Commissioners, don't know.
I hope North Beach, Bill Neal and others, have good insurance and lawyers. This mess is far from over.
Here again, is the picture I posted of the fragmented pipe in our water supply well field. This illustrates my answer to Mr. Cox.
2nd picture is published for the first time here.
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| First time this photo published. Yes, that's an old refrigerator. Don't they contain a hazard chemical? |
