HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003.11.04_OPWA MinutesOWASSO PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, November 4, 2003
The Owasso Public Works Authority met in regular session on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 in
the Council Chambers at the Owasso Community Center per the Notice of Public Meeting and
Agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2003.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Cochran called the meeting to order at 7:53 p.m.
ITEM 2. FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was held during the City Council meeting preceding this meeting.
ITEM 3. ROLL CALL
PRESENT ABSENT
Gary Cochran, Chair
Susan Kimball, Vice Chair
Michael Helm, Trustee
Craig Thoendel, Trustee
Steve Cataudella, Trustee
STAFF
Rodney J. Ray, Authority Manager
Stephen Gray, Authority Attorney
A quorum was declared present.
ITEM 4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approval of Minutes of the October 21, 2003 Regular Meeting.
B. Approval of Claims.
Mr. Cataudella moved, seconded by Ms. Kimball, to approve the Consent Agenda including
claims totaling $370,884.77 and payroll claims totaling $43,949.69.
YEA: Helm, Kimball, Thoendel, Cataudella, Cochran
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0.
Owasso Public Works Authority
November 4, 2003
ITEM 5. REPORT FROM OPWA MANAGER
None
ITEM 6. REPORT FROM OPWA ATTORNEY
None
ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Carr notified Council of a report going out to Owasso Water Customers regarding a test that
showed Coliform Bacteria in Owasso's Water System. Mr. Carr submitted a copy of this report
to be attached to the OPWA minutes.
ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Cataudella moved, seconded by Mr. Thoendel, to adjourn.
YEA: Kimball, Helm, Thoendel, Cataudella, Cochran
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8.02 p.m.
Pat Fry, Minute CIe1IC
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Gary Cochran, Chair
2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATE]
Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in Owasso Water
The City of Owasso"s water system recently exceeded the maximum contaminant level for total
coliform in drinking water. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you
have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what is being done.
What happened?
The City is required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.
Each month, a minimum of twenty samples are taken to test your drinking water for
microbiological contaminants. In September 2003, three water samples showed the presence of
total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one sample per month may do so.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Coliform
bacteria are generally not harmful - they are naturally present in the environment and are used
as an indicator to determine whether other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.
Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other
bacteria or greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of
these bacteria in our subsequent testing, and further testing shows that this condition has been
resolved. However, because coliforms were found in more samples than allowed, federal
regulations require that we notify the public.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or tape other corrective actions. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor. People with severely compromised immune systems,
infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of
infection by microbes are available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
What is being done?
It is believed that errors in the collection and/or submission of water samples were the likely
source of contamination. Samples found to be in violation were collected on a windy day over a
wide geographical area. Although appropriate handling techniques were followed, little could be
done (at that time) to prevent airborne particles from entering the sample bottles. Repeat
samples taken in the same location within 24-hours of the failed samples did not indicate the
presence of microbiological contaminants. Therefore, the City plans to implement improved
handling procedures to prevent airborne contamination.
Questions?
For more information, please contact the Owasso Public Works Department. Inquiries may be
directed to Roger Stevens (Water/Wastewater Superintendent) at (918) 272-4959.
.Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not
have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or
mail.
STEVEN A. THOMPSON
Executive Director
October 22, 2003
OWASSO
PO BOX 180
OWASSO, OK 74055
0 K t A H 0 M „A„
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Dear Water System Owner/Operator:
SUBJECT: PWSID #OK3007218
TULSA County
BRAD HENRY
Governor
A review of the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) records indicates that OWASSO,
TULSA County, has a violation of the maximum contaminant level for total coliform in drinking
water. Requirements concerning total coliform compliance are specified in 40 CFR Section
141.63.
This violation is the result of positive total coliform samples from OWASSO that exceeded the
maximum contaminant level (MCL) for September 2003. If you feel that our records are in
error or have questions regarding the regulations, please contact me at the number listed below.
Federal regulations require that notice of this violation be given to the public and a copy mailed
to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as proof of notification within 30
days. An example of approved public notice language and format is enclosed. A copy of this
notice should be mailed to the attention of Ms. Michele Dorris, Water Quality Division, at the
letterhead address listed below. Failure to come into with compliance total coliform standards
and public notice requirements may result in DEQ initiating legal actions against your water
system which may include an administrative penalty of up to $10,000.00 per day of violation.
707 NORTH ROBINSON, P.O. BOX 1677, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73101-1677
printed on recycled paper with soy ink
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,
OWASSO
October 22, 2003
Page 2
If you have any questions or we can be of assistance, please call me at (405) 702-8131 or write to
me at the letterhead address below. Questions regarding the analysis should be directed to Mr.
Ted Witten, DEQ Lab at (405) 702-9131.
Sincerely,
Nola M. Baze
Bacteriological Compliance Coordinator
Enc.
cc: Rick Austin, DEQ Regional Manager
REGIONAL OFFICE AT TULSA
Mary Randolph, DEQ District Engineer
Ted Witten, DEQ Lab
John Ashford, DEQ Lab
Michele Dorris, DEQ Water Quality Division
PWS Correspondence F2, C4