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Looking for leaks

New grant will help find water loss

Staff Reports

news@morganton.com

Published: June 29, 2009

Morganton - The city has been awarded a grant that officials hope will help identify where water loss is occurring.
The city of Morganton received a $23,300 grant from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center for a leak detection survey.
Don Danford, director of water resources for the city, said he was told by Rep. Hugh Blackwell's office last week that Morganton was awarded the grant. The city had requested $35,000, Danford said.
A survey of the water lines will be conducted in two areas — from the city's water plant to the Salem area and in the downtown area, Danford said. It will take about a month and is expected to start during the first part of July, he said.
From the survey, the city will be able to identify leaks.
Danford is hopeful city crews will be able to fix any leaks discovered. City crews make an average of up to 200 repairs a year on water lines, he said.
If a leak is too deep or city crews don't have the equipment required, Danford said the city may have to hire a contractor to do the work.
The city found out it was losing water when an audit of its system was done in 2008. City officials got the results late last year.
The audit said the city is losing 12 percent of its system input yearly, which equates to $333,971.
According to Sen. Jim Jacumin's office, which also announced the award, audio equipment and a computer will analyze data to locate any leaks.