The City of Huron may have found the reason behind a number of complains of low water pressure at a handful of resident’s homes. Water Superintendent Vince Juelfs believes it may be related to the city’s replacement of aging, cast iron water main, with PVC pipe…
All of the reports of problems have been in areas where the cast iron pipe has been replaced. Electrolysis is a non-spontaneous chemical reaction driven by electric current, or in this instance, the grounding of residential electrical systems to the copper water service of a home. The electrolysis is causing corrosion on pipes leading to leaks and a loss of water pressure. Juelfs has been in contact with other municipalities and says Rapid City’s use of anode bags may work the best…
The whole situation is frustrating for Juelfs….
The replacement of future dug-up services could likely use the anode bag. Future water main replacement could entail the use of plastic piping to go from the main to the residents shut-off valves. The city is also debating who is responsible for the repair costs, since generally such repairs fall on the home owner, but the water main replacement was done by the city. City Attorney Gary Kaufman will look into the legalities of who is liable for the repair costs. Commissioners talked about the issue in a work session Monday night for over an hour.