By Jim Bloch
Until recently, the city of St. Clair had one primary bulk water buyer.
“Now more and more people are interested in our water,” said City Superintendent Quentin Bishop.
Bishop responded to the increased demand by drafting a new contract to govern bulk water purchases from the city. The city council unanimously adopted the agreement at its regular meeting June 19.
All purchases will be metered. Bulk water buyers must now fill their tankers at the fire hydrant across Palmer Street from Department of Public Works building, at southwest the corner of Hillside Cemetery. The hydrant there has the only meter in the city.
Bulk water may be used for any number of jobs, from filling swimming pools and landscaping projects to controlling dust during road construction.
The agreement pegs the rate for bulk water users at $5 per thousand gallons, plus $15 per water draw.
The rate reflects the city’s cost to produce the water, including the cost of power, water treatment chemicals, labor, supplies, repair, transportation, plant upkeep and administration.
The maximum daily volume per bulk user is 120,000 gallons.
In the event of a water shortage, the city may limit purchases to lower amounts than 120,000 gallons.
“I verified the 120,000 gallons with the water treatment plant operator,” said Bishop, as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on YouTube. “He’s comfortable with that number.”
Tom Fountain is the city’s lead water treatment plant operator.
“If Mr. Fountain tells me that we’re having an issue generating enough water for our residents, we can put a hold on any water purchase at any time,” said Bishop. “Our residents’ needs take priority.”
“Who’s going to make the call?” asked council member Micah Volz. “Is it Mr. Fountain?”
“Mr. Fountain will advise me and I’ll make the call,” said Bishop. “I want Mr. Fountain focused on making water. I’ll focus on handling the contract.”
Council member Mitch Kuffa asked if users actually take 120,000 gallons a day.
“Surprisingly enough, they do,” said Bishop.
265 loads of water were purchased by bulk users in May.
“How much is a load?” asked Kuffa.
It could be 6,000 gallons, Bishop said.
“There’s no more honor system?” asked resident Bill Klieman.
“Correct,” said Bishop.
“So if someone hooks into a hydrant somewhere else in the city, there’ll be a meter on it?” asked Klieman.
No, said Bishop. Right now, the city has only one meter.
“We have one meter and it’s at the end of the water line, so it’s not drawing any pressure off any homes,” said Bishop.
“So when I see construction trucks, pump trucks or vac trucks hooked to a hydrant with no meter, that’s illegal,” said Klieman.
“They should be filling off the metered hydrant,” said Bishop.
“Last year, you hooked up to a hydrant and it was on the honor system,” said Klieman. “I used x amount of gallons of water. I would sure like to go on that same system.”
“That’s why we’re doing this, Bill,” said Bishop.
The city attorney gave the contract his blessing.
“I was able to review this with Quentin after the draft was done,” said City Attorney Jim Downey. “I made some comments and they’ve all been added. I think the agreement if fine as proposed.”
The final vote to approve the contract was7-0.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.