Officials from Del-Co Water say excessive water use could become an issue for the water provider.
Glenn Marzluf, general manager and CEO of Del-Co Water, told Delaware County commissioners on Thursday that as the system continues to grow, so does excessive water use by some high-demand customers.
“We have customers in parts of our system, just anecdotally, that might use 4,000-5,000 gallons in January and February, and use 200,000 gallons in the summertime when they turn their sprinkler systems on and they sprinkle seven days a week,” Marzluf said. “If (water) is available, we’re not that concerned about it but, as we continue to grow, those customers that put that high demand on us are making us expand treatment plants and find additional source water.”
Marzluf said future expansion of water treatment plants is expected as the number of customers continues to grow, but that excessive use can lead to unnecessary costs.
“So they’re making a substantial cost for all of our membership,” he said. “We’ve got to find ways to make sure that they’re either paying their share or they stop that behavior.”
In an update to commissioners Thursday, Marzluf also said that Del-Co continues to address water quality within its system. He said the company’s use of upground reservoirs, like the ones at the Olentangy plant, and proactive treatment of algae blooms helps to keep the system in good working condition.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, commissioners approved the re-appointment of Benjamin Quinn to serve on the Delaware County Convention and Visitors Bureau board of trustees. Currently a member of the board, Quinn’s term expires Dec. 31. His new term will begin Jan. 1, 2016, and expire Dec. 31, 2018. Quinn, who works as a senior aircraft performance analyst for NetJets Inc., in Columbus, is the president-elect of the board of trustees for 2016.
The Delaware County 911 Center will be getting some new console furniture after county commissioners approved a contract authorizing the purchase of the equipment. The amount of the contract with Xybix Systems Inc. is $230,817.13, which covers both the purchase price and installation of the furniture.
“That will replace the existing furniture that’s been in use for about 15, if not closer to 20 years,” said Patrick Brandt, deputy director of 911. He said some of the current furniture was moved into the new center from a temporary site that housed 911.
Commissioners also rescinded a previous resolution authorizing the sale of radio equipment that Delaware County 911 no longer uses to the Battle Run Fire District. That resolution was approved in September. However, Brandt told commissioners that Battle Run officials contacted his office to inform him that the equipment was no longer needed. Brandt said that Jerome Township in Union County, with which Delaware County 911 has a mutual aid agreement, has expressed interest in purchasing some of the equipment.
The county 911 board and commissioners will conduct two meetings next week. Agenda items include a potential 911 levy and the agency’s 2016 budget. The meetings are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, and 3 p.m. Nov. 20 in the commissioners’ hearing room.
Commissioners approved an agreement between the county Auditor’s Office and Public Finance Resources Inc. to provide consulting services and software related to the development of a five-year financial plan for the county, according to Auditor George Kaitsa. The fee for the initial set-up of the forecast software is $5,000. The fee for monthly cash flow tracking and reporting services is $850 per month, which would be paid quarterly, according to the resolution passed by commissioners.
“It’s actually a model that was developed for school districts,” Kaitsa said. “The school districts are required to do a five-year forecast. It’s essentially adapting that model to county operations.”
Commissioner Jeff Benton said having access to data from a five-year forecast will be beneficial to the county.
“This is one of the things I’ve talked about fairly openly that we really need to do,” Benton said. “I think it’ll help us guide the long-range decisions.”
Kaitsa said that he expects the service to be implemented by the end of 2015.