Source: City of Broken Arrow
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently evaluated various aspects of Broken Arrow’s public drinking water system.
The sanitation survey is a proactive health measure completed periodically. It is an essential component of the State of Oklahoma’s Safe Drinking Water requirements.
Utilities Director Charles Vokes spoke about the survey’s findings and its importance at the Broken Arrow Municipal Authority meeting on Nov. 7.
“This is a big deal,” Vokes said. “They look at our source water, treatment, distribution system, finished water storage, pumps, monitoring, the management and the operation of the utility and operation compliance.”
The DEQ surveyed the City’s drinking water system on Aug. 15, 2023, and reviewed hundreds of items.
“They could only identify four minor deficiencies,” Vokes said. “They were pleased with our system. We have a very good system.”
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality issued the final report for the sanitary survey on Sept. 5, and identified the areas needing improvement. Along with the deficiencies noted by the DEQ, is the Broken Arrow Municipal Authority’s plan of action to address the concerns.
First, the Greenbriar, Bass Pro, and Battle Creek Water Booster Pump Stations were not equipped with discharge measuring devices.
BAMA indicated that a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) engineer has been hired to recommend system improvements. This issue will be corrected as a part of this outsourced project.
They also found overflow pipes at the East Tiger Hill and Center Tiger Hill water storage tanks do not discharge over a splash pad or drainage structure. BAMA indicated that concrete pads are scheduled to be placed below both overflow pipes as a part of an in-house project.
Next, the survey indicated that the Center Tiger Hill water storage tank and the First Baptist Church elevated tower’s overflow pipes were not equipped with flex gates. BAMA stated that it would attach flapper valves on the end of the overflow pipes as part of an in-house project.
The survey found that the First Baptist Church Elevated Tower vent did not have a 24-mesh, corrosive-resistant screen. For this improvement, BAMA indicated it would hire a company to climb the tank to verify or install the appropriate screening.
ODEQ required that the improvements be made within a two-year period. A plan is in place to make these improvements by October 2025. BAMA will provide the DEQ with a progress report by October 2024.
The DEQ approved the schedule of correction in a letter to Mayor Debra Wimpee dated Oct. 11, 2023.
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