The Pagosa Springs Town Council and Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a joint work session on Monday, April 14, at which members of the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) board provided details on PAWSD’s plan to have fire hydrants tested and serviced this summer.
“We’d like to give you a little update on what’s happened at PAWSD,” board member Bill Hudson stated, explaining that PAWSD has voted to hire a “professional team” to come into the community and test hydrants.
He noted the company will begin working on April 28 and is scheduled to be completed — testing every PAWSD hydrant — within 12 weeks of the start date.
Hudson also explained that PAWSD is looking to train school teachers to do some of this testing, noting that teachers and other community members with free time in the summer could possibly help out.
“So that we don’t rely on an outside company coming in,” he added.
Hudson mentioned that high school teachers are currently asking around to see if there is a willingness for those folks to be “properly trained to do the testing.”
Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce asked if there was any sort of certification that these community members would get in order to be able to properly test and service the hydrants.
“I can’t answer that,” Hudson replied, explaining, “I think the intention is to make sure that they’re properly trained,” adding that would involve opening and closing the hydrants, potential pressure tests and filling out reports.
“Because we want a report on each hydrant,” Hudson added.
PAWSD board member Alex Boehmer added that he was a part of a previous hydrant testing crew and that he was never officially certified.
“I wasn’t certified in any way,” he said, adding that the procedure is “fairly simple” and only requires “basic mechanical knowledge.”
Boehmer mentioned the reasoning for bringing in a professional crew at this time is because of the hydrants potentially not being opened in the last 10 years.
He added that,“having people that are not really highly trained,” touching hydrants for first time in 10 years, “could lead to a lot of extra problems.”
Council member Brooks Lindner asked for clarification on if having teachers trained to perform this work is something PAWSD anticipates doing for this summer or for future testing.
Hudson indicated that it may be a possibility for this year, explaining that PAWSD is paying $115 per hydrant “and we’re thinking if some of the work can be done by trained people in the community, that’ll be a reduced fee that we have to pay.”
Commissioner Veronica Medina asked for clarification on what the third-party company will be testing and if it includes a pressure test.
Boehmer explained that the third party will be opening and flushing each hydrant, as well as performing a “static pressure test.”
He added that the American Water Works Standards “recommends a different approach,” but that given the time constraints and the amount of hydrants, “we’re going with a more basic approach this year” in order to get the hydrants back up to a “reasonable standard.”
Boehmer went on to explain that the first focus is to test every hydrant, noting that pressure tests require lots of water.
“It uses a lot of water to test 1,140 hydrants,” he said.
Commissioner John Ranson asked if there is any way to “prioritize certain areas … over others” in getting hydrants tested before peak fire season hits.
Boehmer explained those conversations will happen once the company becomes familiar with PAWSD’s systems.
Ranson then asked if the Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD) used to test fire hydrants, with Boehmer explaining “it was a cooperative effort,” with the PFPD hiring summer crews to help test hydrants.
Ranson then asked what the plan will be going forward in having hydrants tested after this upcoming summer.
PFPD Chief Robert Bertram explained that PFPD likes the “stance” that PAWSD has taken in bringing in a third party to test the hydrants this summer, “and then we can try and work together in the future going out and doing some of the hydrant testing along with them.”
Medina then asked if the static pressure testing will be sufficient for the fire district, with Bertram explaining the “biggest thing” is to know if water is available at the hydrant.
Commissioner Warren Brown inquired about liability with a third party coming in to test the hydrants.
Boehmer explained that the third party will only perform basic repairs such as replacing gaskets, while also stating PAWSD “would be liable for any repairs.”
Brown then asked about liability with PAWSD potentially training teachers.
Hudson explained that the teachers would be paid and trained, “as I understand it.”
Council member Gary Williams then stated that he is “confused organizationally” about who is responsible for testing and servicing the hydrants going forward.
Boehmer replied that he was as “confused as everybody else is,” while referencing the PAWSD bylaws and noting that “it’s not crystal clear.”
He added, “What I can say is, at the end of the day, is that PAWSD is going to take the leadership if necessary to get it done for the community.”
Boehmer and Hudson also explained there is still some “figuring out” to do going forward about funding and which district can handle what.
Williams then asked if the PFPD would play a “larger role” going forward with testing hydrants.
“Going forward, we’d like to be part of the solution,” Bertram stated, adding that it is not the PFPD’s responsibility and that the hydrants were installed by and are owned by PAWSD.
Bertram added that the PFPD has a “vested interest” given that water is important to the fire district and water availability is tied to the district’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.
Bertram also noted that other fire districts he has worked for assisted with hydrant testing, but it was not their responsibility.
Williams then stated that with members of the county, town, PFPD and PAWSD all in attendance, it was clear to him that “going forward, we don’t know who’s in charge.”
Hudson explained that conversations will be held over the next year to see “who can handle what” and see who’s responsible for which parts of the process.
Pierce then asked how often hydrants should be inspected, suggesting it may be on an annual basis.
“They should be done on an annual basis,” Bertram replied.
Pierce then stated, “I don’t think we can have discussions over next year,” explaining the matter needs to be resolved before PAWSD’s budget season “based on what the chief just said.”
Medina indicated that it would be helpful to review the previous agreement to help clarify responsibility.
“I have not actually seen it,” Bertram stated, explaining the agreement is likely not filed with the county and is potentially somewhere in the PFPD’s archives.
Bertram explained that the only thing he knows about the agreement is that it ended 10 years ago.
Ranson then inquired more about how the PFPD is graded in regard to its ISO rating, explaining that he is getting phone calls from concerned constituents who are having difficulty finding home insurance.
Bertram explained that “a lot of them being dropped has nothing to do with the hydrants right now.”
Bertram also explained that having sufficient fire hydrants is a “huge part of our score.”
Pierce then asked Bertram if the PFPD is doing anything currently with the knowledge that hydrants may not have been tested for 10 plus years.
Bertram explained that when PFPD crews fill trucks they are being encouraged to use a new hydrant to fill up.
Brown also asked if the PFPD has taken into account his consideration for having a tanker truck dispatched to calls in the event that there is not adequate flow in a hydrant.
Bertram indicated that once initial crews are on scene, any additional crews will know if the hydrant flow is sufficient with secondary crews being able to show up with a tanker if necessary.
Bertram also stated the PFPD feels “pretty comfortable” with responding to and using hydrants in areas, near town and in the town limits.
clayton@pagosasun.com
