TOWNSEND — Townsend's new water system has been online for about a month, and city officials say the rollout has gone better than expected.
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"We're doing fantastic. It really is kind of a best case scenario," JB Howick, Townsend Hardware president and city council member, said.
Residents had worried the pressure jump could damage older pipes and home water lines. The city took warnings from other communities that went through similar transitions seriously, pushing hard to get residents to install pressure-regulating valves before the switch. The Rotary Club and Townsend Hardware helped ease the cost burden for those expensive replacements.
Mayor Vickie Rauser said the effort paid off.
"So far, we have had no water service issues, residents or businesses," Rauser said.
The $14 million upgrade — in the works since 2022 — brought a new tower holding 1 million gallons, 5 times the capacity of the old one. The new tower passed bacterial tests in the third week of August and came online the following week. Pressure was increased gradually and now sits between 70 and 75 PSI, up from the previous 50 to 55.
"We had relieved customers all over the city. A lot of people were very happy that this was successful and proved to be valuable," Howick said.
The old tower — a landmark since 1958 — stays put as a backup. For many residents, it carries meaning beyond water storage.
"Home. It means home. Many times I will see on social media people who are on their way back to visit, and they comment they know they are home when they see the water tower," Rauser said.
Still, questions remain. Some residents are watching water rates closely, and officials acknowledge older service lines running into homes and businesses could present problems down the road. City officials are asking residents to report any issues.
Rauser said she is open to revisiting rates if the numbers allow.
"If there is an opportunity to reduce the rates, I will certainly propose that to council," Rauser said.
"We made a huge step, but there's still work to do," Howick said.
City officials say they will continue to monitor the new system and are prepared to assist residents who encounter issues.
