MV water disinfectant to change

By Lois Mittino Gray

Mount Vernon Water Superintendent Chuck Gray announced at the January 21, meeting of the Water Utility Board that in a few weeks, the way the city disinfects its water will be transitioning to a new chemical. He assured Board members the conversion will be so much safer and users should notice no change in the smell or taste of the city water supply.

Gray stated they are converting from Chlorine gas in cylinders to liquid Sodium Hypochlorite to disinfect the water. “The storage tanks for it were delivered yesterday, and we expect to convert over in the next few weeks,” he said.

Board member Andy Hoehn asked the advantage to doing this switch. Gray emphasized how much safer it is going to be. Exposure to low concentrations of chlorine, 1 to 10 ppm, may cause eye and nasal irritation, sore throat, and coughing. Inhalation of higher concentrations of chlorine gas, greater than 15 ppm, can rapidly lead to respiratory distress with airway constriction and accumulation of fluid in the lungs and can be fatal.

“Chlorine gas is extremely hazardous. Changing chlorine tanks is risky, and leaks can endanger my employees and the public,” he explained. He had an employee last year who needed to be treated after a leak. “I don’t have to worry about federal storage restrictions, too. I won’t have as many homeland security issues to worry about as well,” he added. The cost is roughly the same. Board member John Gerton asked if the water will have a different taste and Gray replied not at all.

Local citizen Paula Rudibaugh asked about the flags at the intersection near her home around Eighth and Canal Streets. Gray replied those are called locates and they are all over the city to mark lines.

During the Mount Vernon Common Council meeting that followed, Mount Vernon Mayor Steve Loehr presided over a few legal actions and some quick reports.

The first item was the final reading of the Ordinance to Amend Title VII-Traffic Code, Chapter 72-Stopping, Standing and Parking, Schedule I (A)-Stop Intersections and Schedule I (B)-Multi-Stop Intersections. Hoehn moved the Ordinance pass on final reading. It was seconded by Gerton. Since Councilwoman Jillian Brothers was not present, it required a roll call vote. The motion carried 4-0 and will be numbered 26-07. It establishes a four way stop at the intersection of East Sherman and Mulberry Streets, as there is poor visibility at the location

Attorney Beth Higgins stated the next item is acceptance of Conflict of Interest Forms. There was one submitted, signed by Hoehn. He signed that he “has a financial interest connected with any contracts or purchases of the governmental entity which I serve, which are made on an ongoing basis with a particular contractors or vendor.” In his case, it is a lease agreement with Wastewater Process LLC, which he co-owns. A motion to accept the statement carried.

Councilman David Dodd in his district report apologized for missing the last meeting due to welcoming his third child, Elsie. The other reports were to be ready for snow.

Loehr closed the two meetings reminding all city departments to be prepared for the incoming snow. “Individuals also need to be prepared. Check on people. Check on your neighbors. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.”