COLLINS - Residents in Water District 1 in the town are being asked to conserve water and restrict usage. Supervisor Dave Tessmer announced the water restriction at a board meeting.
Tessmer explained the motor for the Taylor Hollow Road pump has quit working. The town was providing water to the correctional facility due to turbidity issues at the prison. After the prison's turbidity issues went away, the town's motor in the pump malfunctioned causing the water conservation. There was a power interruption in the town.
"It did put the motor out of commission," Tessmer said. "We're not sure if the problem with the power damaged the motor itself or if it just exasperated an existing problem. The motor's about 10 years old."
The motor has been operating on manual mode since the failure instead of automatic mode.
"We felt more confident operating (the motor) in manual mode," Tessmer said. "That way we didn't have to worry."
The three phase motor would not shut off on automatic mode so the town was operating on manual mode to make sure the tank was full. The voltage coming in to the pump and motor could be higher and the town didn't have confidence that the motor would shut off when needed. To fix the motor will cost $3,500 and the motor was sent out for repair in Dunkirk. While the motor is being worked on, the department of corrections is supplying water to Water District 1.
The water restriction covers no "nonessential use" of water including watering lawns and washing cars. The district 1 water includes the hamlet of Collins, Seneca Heights and Taylor Hollow Road. Tessmer will make a decision on the pump today if possible.
The board also approved local law 3, the tax cap override, and to hold the Community Development Block Grant public hearing on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. during the next board meeting.
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