Byrdstown Addressing Pall Mall Water Leaks

Byrdstown Water Officials told Aldermen Monday night they continue to work to address water leaks in the Pall Mall area.

Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said that area, added to the town’s water system four years ago, does not have enough valves in place to help the department locate the leaks. Gibson said the water department has been adding valves to make the leaks easier to locate.

“By putting them in it has helped us a little bit,” Gibson said. “I think today we have started trying to do a better job of controlling some of those and we have located quite a few but we still have a lot to go and we are continuing to work just about around the clock weekends and all.”

Gibson said once all of the leaks are fixed residents will notice a big difference in water pressure. Gibson said there are a few major leaks that need to be found but unfortunately in the process, they are finding more leaks than anticipated.

“We know we’ve got one big leak that we still haven’t found because we can tell that it is running into a spring,” Gibson said. “The water color we can detect it knowing that it’s got some chlorine in it and we haven’t located the leak itself yet but during this time we are finding others and we are repairing them.”

Gibson said he believes the area is experiencing more leaks overall this year due to the drought the Upper Cumberland experienced over the past several months.

“When its real dry the ground is going to shift a little and move,” Gibson said. “That also causes more leaks. It’s not only just us but also our customers who are having a lot more leaks in their yards and so forth than normal years.”

Gibson said it has been pretty expensive to implement the additional valves as a single valve can range anywhere from $600-$1,800. Gibson said the town does plan to add more valves to the system and has ordered several more.

In other business, Gibson said the town is currently working on a fishing tournament that will take place May 2nd.