Albany City Council discussed ways to alleviate water pressure problems in the Bald Rock area last Tuesday evening, July 5 at its regular monthly meeting. There was a limited agenda with five of six members present.

At the start of the half-four session, Albany Mayor Nicky Smith read the following statement pertaining to tampering with water systems and or meters, the statement read:

“The City of Albany Water Department would like to advise its customers, plumbers, local contractors and the general public that tampering with a public water system, water meter, etc., is a criminal violation of Kentucky Revised statutes, 514.060 Section (3)a and is a Class A misdemeanor less than $500 and if more, a Class D felony.

In addition, tampering with a public water system is a Federal criminal violation under Title 42 Chapter 6 Safety of public water system section 300-1.”

Kenneth Delk and local resident Ray Vibbert then addressed the council about water pressure issues that have been ongoing in the Bald Rock area in the southeastern section of the county.

Delk said that on a good day, pressure was low in the mid-to-late afternoons and the problem is generally worse in the summer months when more water is generally used by customers. He said that for the past several weeks, water department employees had worked at the site and he explained there was no water in the tanks.

There are also about 40 poultry houses in the vicinity which use city water and it was noted that some lines in the area were six inch lines, while others only three inch lines.

Mayor Nicky Smith said he would request poultry house owners try and get their water later at night to see if that may help alleviate the problems in the short term, but informed the council that Monarch Engineers were currently working on cost estimates to replace a tank in the area, which should solve the pressure problems.

“I will request poultry owners to fill up around 8 p.m. instead of the afternoon to see if that will help some,” the mayor said, before informing them of the research being done to place a new tank in the area to help pump water to and from customers’ homes.

Delk noted the problems with the pressure in the area had been ongoing about 10 years now, but agreed installing another tank would probably be the answer.

Council members questioned the cost, size and location of where a tank should be placed to better assure that the problem would be permanently taken care of.

The mayor said that either a 3,000 or 5,000 gallon tank would probably be sufficient and the city will await on recommendations from its engineers.

Although no official votes were taken, the council did agree that adding a water tank would be the best solution.

The council again discussed some street and property damage that had been done due to a gas line break on Wood Street in West Albany. Apparently the gas company has not repaired the streets on some property to the city’s satisfaction, and, in fact, the city has done some work of its own, including blacktopping potholes left in the street.

The council directed city legal advisor Norb Sohm to draft a letter to Navitas, the company that has the natural gas franchise, with the city’s concerns and possibly attach an itemized bill of work the city has already done.

The council also declared two vehicles as surplus property, a 2003 Chevy truck and 2002 Ford Escape, to sell “as is” via sealed bids. The vehicles can be inspected at the city water department building.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for August 2 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.