Valley R Baptist-CS 940324DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUB J:
RE:
COPPELL PUBLIC WORKS
MEMORANDUM
March 24, 1994
Jim Witt, City Manager (~
Steven G. Goram, Director of Public W~
Relocation of 2" Water Line for Lone Star
~0untry Club
Incident at Club on 3/23/94 - Pafford's Memo Dated 3/24/94
The attached memo to me from our Water Superintendent, Howard Pafford, outlines our
discussion this morning with regard to the incident which occurred last night involving the
Lone Star Country Club. As of this time we have not heard back from Mr. Robinson or
anyone representing him concerning the events of last evening.
Staff reported to me as of noon today, the line was thoroughly flushed and I do not anticipate
any further complications. As I mentioned to you this morning, and as referenced by
Howard in his memo, the chlorine residual taken at the Lone Star Country Club did not
indicate a hazardous concentration of chlorine in the water.
If you would like to discuss this matter fi~rther, please let me know.
SGG/dm
LONESTR.SGG
COPPELL PUBLIC WORKS
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
March 24, 1994 1
Steven G. Goram, Director of Public Works
Club
As you are aware, the 2" water meter relocation on E. Beltline Road was completed
yesterday morning at 11:00 a.m. Staff added chlorine to the line to disinfect those areas
where connections were made to the 12" main and the existing 2" water line. Then the line
was flushed for a total of 70 minutes. The line was flushed at the Lone Star Country Club to
ensure all air and superchlorinated water was removed.
I will also mention that Ted had informed me that two men showed up on site at the exact
time the shut down was being performed for the connection of the new line. These men
were wearing casual dress and hard hats. They asked it' the line had been chlorinated and
were informed that it had been and that a bacteriological sample had been taken and passed.
These men also took a picture of the tie-in to the existing 2" water line.
Additionally, I will mention that last night at 7:30 p.m., a call was received from the Lone
Star Country Club complaining of a heavy bleach taste in the water. The main water call
unit was in the City at that time, as I was, and theretbre, we answered the call together.
Upon arriving at the Lone Star Country Club, I spoke with John Robinson and he informed
me that the patrons were complaining about a bleachy odor in the water and that it was
burning their eyes and mouths. I was informed that the Fire Department had been called out
just prior to them calling us. The Fire Department int'ormed them to contact City Water
Utilities and gave Mr. Robinson the Poison Control Center telephone number.
After speaking with Mr. Robinson, he asked me to look at a sample they had collected. I
did so and this sample was a mixture of carbonated water and chlorinated water. I asked for
a sample from the tap and tested it for residual and the test indicated 26 mg/I. This is higher
than the chlorine level normally found in the water system; therefore, I asked Mr. Robinson
to allow me to assist him in setting up a t'lush line and flttshed the excess residual from the
line. Myself, the main call unit, and Mr. Robinson's assistant together ran a water hose to
the back fence of the club and began flushing. I informed Mr. Robinson that he needed to
flush the system for at least two hours to ensure excess residual chlorine was removed. I
also informed him that he would not be charged for the water used to flush the system.
The only explanation I can provide for this incident is that the chlorine had settled in a low
area in the line when the initial flushing was done and when the club began using water at all
2" Water Line Relocation
Page 2
points throughout the club, the trapped chlorine moved down the line to the club. As to the
harm that was done, the chlorine sample I tested contained only 26 mg/1. The residual may
have been higher earlier, but I did not have a valid sample to use for testing. It takes
chlorine residuals at much higher levels than this to affect the human body.
Please advise as to when you want to further discuss this issue.
HLP/dm
cc: Ted Dutt, Utilities Crewleader
LONESTAR. HLP