Pump issue frustrates council

In the summer of 2019, a new well and water tank were installed in Pine Haven for the betterment of the existing population and in anticipation of future growth. As the tank was built and raised onsite nearby, the well was drilled at the corner of Pine Haven Street and Vista Grande Drive.

To keep the wells fresh, the plan was to “switch back and forth” between the existing and the newly dug founts, according to Councilwoman Karla Brandenburg.

Everything seemed fine as the pump was started the first time, but a problem arose shortly after Public Works Director Sunny Schell tried a couple times to start the cyclic rotation. The mechanism would not restart, says Schell: “I had it running a few times, but then it goes into a fault.”

The device is computerized and Schell was not able to determine if the issue is with the software telling the pump to start or in the mechanics of the pump itself so DRM Construction, the original contractor, has been trying to find and correct the problem before the warranty, which has been actively running since the first start of the machine, expires within the next few months.

Brandeburg spoke candidly to this situation as HDR Engineering’s Heath Turbiville reported the contractor’s plan to reflush the well and again investigate the issue with the pump, “This is getting frustrating. We’re almost out of warranty and they don’t even have it working yet.”

While this ongoing issue is exasperating, Schell assures residents that the pump on the established well is in perfect working condition and there is no strain on that water source.

A representative for DRM was onsite Monday afternoon and reported the issue fixed to the delight of all concerned. The two pumps are synchronized and running as planned now, according to Brandenburg.