The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Improvements continue at Peru’s water treatment plant. At the town board’s July 10, 2017 meeting counselors approved Courtney Tetrault’s recommendation to purchase a remote telemetry system which will enable water department personnel to control hamlet water pressure via computer. AquaLogics System, Inc. of Syracuse, NY submitted a price of $25,975.

Water turbidity (cloudy or hazy water) can also be an issue, especially during heavy rainfall. Filtration has to be slowed and filter backwashing increased. The council approved the purchase of a turbidity metering and monitoring system at a cost of $8,383 from Hach, an analytical and instrumentation company based in Loveland, Colorado.

Water system improvements initiated in 2012 were financed by a $3.65 million bond issue. $81,000 of the bond money was not spent and will be used to finance these upgrades. Purchase of a water filtration plant security and fire alarm system is also being planned.

Counselor Donald McBrayer recommended that district water users be informed of the filtration issues that arise during periods of heavy rainfall. If users reduce water consumption, the system would be much more likely to function safely and efficiently. Thinking about the town’s future growth McBrayer remarked, “As our system expands it might be advisable to look into the feasibility of using drilled wells as water source.” Peru’s water is currently sourced from Furnace Brook that flows into the town’s reservoir.