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037 :, PAGGI, MARTIN & DEL BENE LLP Consulting Engineers & Land Surveyors 031 54-56 Main Street Poughkeepsie, New York 12601 914-471-7898 914-471-0905 (FAX) July 27, 1999 VIA FAX & MAIL: Town Board Town of Wappinger P.O. Box 324 Wappingers Falls, New York 12590 RECEIVED JUL 2 9 1999 AttentIon: Constance O. Smith, Supervisor ELAINE SNOWDEN TOWN CLeRK Reference: Central Wappinger Water Improvement Storage Facility Dear Supervisor Smith & Board Members: On the morning of Tuesday, July 27th, 1999, Mike Tremper from Camo Pollution Control contacted our office and informed us that there was a leak in the Rockingham water storage facility of the Central Wappinger Water Improvement (CWWI). He asked that I make a field inspection of the tank to aid his firm in the necessary corrective measures. Later that morning, a field inspection was made. It was determined that the tank had sprung a leak in one of the horizontal welds approximately 22' above grade at almost the halfway point in the tank. Telephone calls to tank manufacturers and maintainers revealed to us that the water should be lowered in the tank well beneath the leak to remove the stress from the damaged area, and that the leak should be repaired as soon as possible. While we were viewing this leak, we received a radio contact from another member of Mr. Tremper's firm indicating that there was also a similar condition at the Cider Mill Loop tank, which feeds the Hilltop section of the CWWI. A field inspection later that morning revealed that there was, in fact, a leak, but it had not broke through the exterior of the tank as of yet. With that in mind, we met with Supervisor Smith at noon, who declared an emergency situation, which allowed us to contact tank maintenance firms to repair the tanks. Utilizing the American Water Works Association Journal, we contacted Pittsburgh Tank and Tower Company, a nation-wide tank inspection firm, which has been in business since 1919 and has done work for our firm on one of the Village of Wappingers Falls water storage facility. They indicated to us that they could be on the site the next day, and would be prepared to make an overall inspection of the Rockingham water storage facility, and if the repairs are readily doable, they would do so that day. Joseph E. Paggi, Jr., P.E. Ernst Martin, Jr., P.E.. L.S. Charles R. Del Ilene, .Jr.. r.E. . .. Constance O. Smith Town Board RE: CWWI/Tank Leaks - 2 - July 27, 1999 With that in mind, we authorized them to plan on making the inspection/repairs, and we set up a meeting for 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 28th, 1999. We also indicated to them that we would like them to visually inspect the Hilltop (Cider Mill Loop tank) to determine if the situation was to a point where it needed immediate repair. If not, it was felt by the operators of the system and our office that we would wait until the fall of the year when the loss of the million gallon tank would not be so crucial. HOWEVER, if the tank experts tell us that the tank is in imminent danger of failing, we would take whatever steps necessary to repair the leak immediately. Another reason we would like to take care of the two (2) tank leaks at the same time would be the cost savings involved in doing the two repairs concurrently. However, if it was found that the leak was not in imminent danger, we were going to wait. Pittsburgh Tank and Tower Company indicated to us that upon inspection they would give us a lump sum price for repair of the Rockingham tank, and when dewatered, they would also give us the same for the Hilltop tank. It appears that if the repairs are not wide-spread, the total cost for each tank could be in the $10,000.00 range. We will write daily reports to the Board indicating progress in this matter. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the office. V/} truly YOU~n .! cY~r-~/€J Joseph E. Paggi, Jr., P.E. JEP:law cc: Hon. Vincent Bettina, Councilman Hon. Joseph Paoloni, Councilman Hon. Joseph Ruggiero, Councilman Hon. Robert Valdati, Councilman Hon. Elaine Snowden, Town Clerk Michael Tremper Daniel O'Connor, P.E. Albert P. Roberts, Esq.