[Fair Use: For Education and Research Purpose Only Wednesday, February 16, 2000 Exeter's water supply threatened

By Michelle Firmbach, Portsmouth Herald Staff Writer

EXETER - The town was asking all residents to conserve water until further notice, as Exeter's water treatment plant was out of commission yesterday.

"Early this morning, a malfunction at the water treatment plant caused some flooding in the basement and in turn the water damaged two electronic transformers," said Keith Noyes, director of the public works department. "The damaged transformers distribute power to the water treatment plant."

However, officials working on the problem were able to install needed equipment that brought the plant closer to up and running at about 8 p.m. last night.

"We should be providing water within the night," said Noyes.

Damage to the two transformers was preventing any power from getting to the plant said Noyes. Town officials were monitoring the water supply manually. The plant was expected to be inoperable for at least 48 hours.

As of 3 p.m. officials were unsure when the plant would be fully functioning.

"We're not sure at this point when the plant will be back up and running," said Noyes. "At this point the only water the town has in its system is being provided by the Lary Lane well, which is a supplemental supply for the town, and what's reserved in our water tanks."

Contractors continued to work through most of the night to replace the devices. However, several devices had to be tested to make certain they were operating properly before the plant could fully function.

The water within the storage tanks is safe to consume, as the problem lies not with the quality of the water, but with the quantity that can be delivered by the system.

"Hopefully, we can get through is without an interruption in service," said Capt. Chris Soave, of the Exeter Fire Department and emergency management director for the town.

Residents were being asked to put off washing dishes or clothes as long as possible to help insure that there was enough water in storage for drinking purposes and emergencies.

Exeter Hospital rolled out paper goods at lunch time yesterday after learning about the problem. "It's safe to say we are following the request of the town to reserve water," said Ron Goodspeed, spokesman for the hospital.

The hospital has an abundance of supplies left over from the anticipated Y2K bug. A bath in a bag, for example, is a disposable product that allows patients to bathe in washing agents instead of water. A driven well beneath Exeter Health Care may be brought into the system in the event of an emergency.

Lindt & Sprungli USA Inc., located at Stratham Industrial Park, suspended production until the treatment plant was fully functioning. Exeter's Water System also serves the Cooperative Middle School and the Timberland Co., located in Stratham.

Wednesday, February 16, 2000 Exeter's water supply threatened

By Michelle Firmbach, Portsmouth Herald Staff Writer

EXETER - The town was asking all residents to conserve water until further notice, as Exeter's water treatment plant was out of commission yesterday.

"Early this morning, a malfunction at the water treatment plant caused some flooding in the basement and in turn the water damaged two electronic transformers," said Keith Noyes, director of the public works department. "The damaged transformers distribute power to the water treatment plant."

However, officials working on the problem were able to install needed equipment that brought the plant closer to up and running at about 8 p.m. last night.

"We should be providing water within the night," said Noyes.

Damage to the two transformers was preventing any power from getting to the plant said Noyes. Town officials were monitoring the water supply manually. The plant was expected to be inoperable for at least 48 hours.

As of 3 p.m. officials were unsure when the plant would be fully functioning.

"We're not sure at this point when the plant will be back up and running," said Noyes. "At this point the only water the town has in its system is being provided by the Lary Lane well, which is a supplemental supply for the town, and what's reserved in our water tanks."

Contractors continued to work through most of the night to replace the devices. However, several devices had to be tested to make certain they were operating properly before the plant could fully function.

The water within the storage tanks is safe to consume, as the problem lies not with the quality of the water, but with the quantity that can be delivered by the system.

"Hopefully, we can get through is without an interruption in service," said Capt. Chris Soave, of the Exeter Fire Department and emergency management director for the town.

Residents were being asked to put off washing dishes or clothes as long as possible to help insure that there was enough water in storage for drinking purposes and emergencies.

Exeter Hospital rolled out paper goods at lunch time yesterday after learning about the problem. "It's safe to say we are following the request of the town to reserve water," said Ron Goodspeed, spokesman for the hospital.

The hospital has an abundance of supplies left over from the anticipated Y2K bug. A bath in a bag, for example, is a disposable product that allows patients to bathe in washing agents instead of water. A driven well beneath Exeter Health Care may be brought into the system in the event of an emergency.

Lindt & Sprungli USA Inc., located at Stratham Industrial Park, suspended production until the treatment plant was fully functioning. Exeter's Water System also serves the Cooperative Middle School and the Timberland Co., located in Stratham.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/2_16b.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), February 16, 2000