If residents happen to see water running down Parkside Drive onto Highway 6 this week, it is not necessarily a bad thing – for the moment.
Public Works Manager Gary Williamson told Wellington North councillors of the ongoing projects Monday, and he noted maintenance work is being done on the Mount Forest water tower.
In reference to the water running down the street, Williamson said that unlike Arthur, Mount Forest has only one water tower.
“When the tower goes down, it has to be drained for the internal inspection.”
Further, he said, “All pumps need to be running and pressure relief values put onto hydrants through the town to relieve pressure on the lines so we don’t blow them out of the ground.”
He said residents “are liable to see water running where you normally wouldn’t.”
He estimated the inspection would take between one week to 10 days. He explained there are three water towers in Wellington North and inspections are done on a rotating basis.
This marks the third year since the Mount Forest tower was inspected.
Councillor John Matusinec later added there is work being done to investigate an additional water tower for Mount Forest.
Matusinec said the current tower inspection brings to light how important it is to have a second tower.
“Right now, all your fire protection and everything in that town is dependant on the pressure produced by the pumps [while the water tower remains drained] with no reserve backup.”
“It’s a pretty important thing to be looking at that second water tower,” Matusinec said.
