Odor in Castle Dale and Orangeville Water

By SHARREE JENSEN Writer

At the Castle Valley Special Service District Meeting on Sept. 18, the board discussed the recent taste and odor problems with the Castle Dale and Orangeville water, and possible future solutions.
The district had received several reports of a musty-earthy smell and taste of the water. After researching the problem, they found that there is an excess of algae coming out of Joe’s Valley Reservoir. They also discovered a second problem with a moss type material in the river, which is coating all the screens, rocks and bottom of the river. This moss material looks like strings of cotton and is very thick. It is believed that both of these problems are seasonal problems, due to the drought and the heat of the summer.
Algae in the water can contribute taste and odor in water supplies. Algae produce two compounds that cause taste and odor. They are geosmin, an earthy smelling compound, and MIB (methylisoborneal), a musty-smelling compound. Water samples were sent to the Utah State Health Lab to test for geosmin and MIB. The test results showed Castle Dale at 49 parts per trillion and Orangeville at 38 parts per trillion. Almost everyone can taste these compounds at 20 parts per trillion.
To help solved the taste and odor problems, they added a chemical called potassium permanganate. This is an oxidant that is commonly used for taste and odor control. There was not much change so they increased the amount added, until they added too much, which in turn caused the water to have a brownish-tan tint to it. None of the above tastes, odor or color is dangerous to health, so residents don’t need to worry about health risks.
There are two possible solutions to the problem. The first is to change the material in the current filters to PVDF. This would make it safe to use chlorine, oxidants and powdered activated carbon. Carbon would be the most effective solution. It is a powder that would be added before the water enters the filters. The board contacted the companies that manufacture the current filters and they did not recommend putting the carbon through them. The board, if they choose this solution, would do a pilot unit first and test it. They would probably need to build a building to feed carbon into the system.
The second solution would be to run a pipe from Joe’s Valley Dam to the water treatment plant. The Emery Water Conservancy District has drilled wells up by Joe’s Valley that have produced enough water to run the plant. The water is clean and clear. The pipe would most likely have to be run down the middle of the road.
The board will look into these options and present new information at the next meeting.
The board also reviewed the 2003 construction projects. The Orangeville chip seal project is waiting for the paint stripers to come. The board has informed the company that if the stripers are not here when scheduled, they will hire their own stripers and deduct the cost out of the project. Darrel Leamaster will contact the company. All other items for this project have been completed.
The SR-10 water relocation project had not been started, but was scheduled to start relaying line on Sept. 24.
The Ferron Lagoon relocation project is waiting for a written appraisal, and purchase contract. Jeff Richards, attorney, is writing up the contract. Mike Wolfe is sending a letter of intent, to sell the land. They will most likely not take ownership until Jan. 1, 2004.
The curb and gutter projects have all been completed, final inspection was on Sept. 16, and the punchlist will be completed within a few weeks.
The street project is nearly complete, all asphalt has been laid except one street in Huntington, where meters had to be raised.
The Ferron Canyon Road project has been researched. Nielson’s Construction collected four test samples. These samples have shown the road consists of three chip seal coats, three inches of asphalt that are very rich and contain too much oil, and then three more inches of asphalt, which are fine, then there are four inches of roadbase on top of two inches of asphalt, and then the natural materials. The road will be rotomilled and reasphalted. Nielson’s would like to split the cost three ways between Ferron City, Nielson’s and the Special Service District.
The board then reported on the 2004 CIB application. The application has been accepted for a $1,273,300 loan, with a 2.5 percent interest rate, and an eight year repayment schedule, as well as a $636,700 grant. The application may be discussed further in the December meeting, but the board has been told that the application is looking good.
Secondary irrigation systems were also discussed at the meeting. August usage was about average. Mark Mansfield, UP&L and the Irrigation company donated 150 acre-feet to Castle Dale and Orangeville. The board stated that most cities would be fine throughout the end of September.
The next Castle Valley Special Service District meeting will be held on Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.