LANDIS — Treated water from Kannapolis could start flowing into Landis by mid-week, easing the demand on the town’s meager supply.
“It’s a good Christmas present,” said Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour.
Foothills Construction of Statesville installed a pump on Chapel Street, near Hickory Street, last Thursday that will pull up to 750,000 gallons of water daily into the Landis system.
Through a state-brokered deal, Landis will actually buy water from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system for $2 per 1,000 gallons. Concord and Kannapolis will add 46 cents per 1,000 gallons as a transfer fee.
As much as half of the water will likely make its way northward to China Grove.
Isenhour said most of the work on the pump installation was completed last Friday.
An engineer will be on hand Wednesday, along with town crews, when the pump is activated.
They expect to do testing and flushing of lines to eliminate discolored water.
At a recent meeting, several aldermen expressed concern that a lot of materials built up in the line may be flushed out, causing problems with the water initially.
Officials indicated they will advise residents before that occurs.
Once the flushing and testing is finished, the water will start flowing to fill lines and the town’s water tanks.
Mandatory water restrictions remain in effect for Landis and China Grove, prohibiting the town’s 3,000 customers from irrigating lawns and washing cars.
But they may be able to linger in the shower a bit longer.
In recent weeks as the drought continued to worsen, Isenhour and other town officials faced the possibility of shutting down businesses and industries.
China Grove officials faced the same critical decision. China Grove gets about 60 percent of its water from Landis.
One of two Landis lakes is more than 12 feet below full. But recent rain and efforts by farmers to release water from their ponds upstream have helped, keeping the total water supply at 30 to 35 days.
Rainfall records for much of the county and region are showing 2001 as the driest year on record. In much of the county, rainfall totals are 20 inches below average.
During a special meeting earlier this month, the Board of Alderman agreed to spend $77,000 for the pump on a rush order.
The pump is encased in an underground concrete vault, complete with a heating and venting system.
Workmen were scheduled to complete the electrical work Friday.
Town officials have said water rates will increase substantially to cover the increased price of the water and the pump.
In Landis, the rate is expected to go from around 85 cents per 1,000 gallons to nearly $3 per 1,000 gallons.
China Grove is also expected to take up the issue of a rate hike.
The water arrangement with Charlotte is on an emergency basis, though town officials have said they might try to continue the arrangement.
Both towns have agreed to buy water from Salisbury through a Rowan County-backed water line. That project is expected to be completed by mid-summer.
Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com or call 704-797-4254.
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