The Town of New-Wes-Valley is in the process of resolving a major water problem that is turning the stomachs of some residents of Newtown.
Newtown sits at the lower end of an extensive, 32 km water distribution system.
Water flows in the Newtown area are lower than the rest of the system allowing “biofilm” to collect on the sides of pipes, but when Newtown recently connected to the main system, that gunk loosened up, shocking some Newtown residents with a thick, jelly-like substance running from their taps.
Mayor Mike Tiller says he’s never seen anything like it.
“We were told maybe something as simple as opening up a hydrant to fill up a fire truck, or if it’s an increased flow in a part of the town that doesn’t usually get an increased flow…it’s got a tendency to break off that biofilm” which will then travel to the furthest point in the line. “This is where those residents are getting this absolutely disgusting looking stuff coming out of their taps.”
Newtown residents are being asked to run their water lines to help clear the gross gunk out of the system. In the meantime, the town is working on solutions with officials from Service NL and water works staff in Gander on ways to increase water flows periodically and prevent the bio film from accumulating in the pipes.