Durham water 2nd best in state
Staff writer
Durham public water was voted second-best-tasting in the state during a Kansas Rural Water Association conference.
Rural and municipal water representatives who attend the conference each bring a gallon of water.
“The first thing we do is make sure it has chlorine residual,” association general manager Elmer Ronnebaum said.
Chlorine is added to disinfect it.
A taste test is done and the water is checked for lack of odor. After the field is narrowed, judges determine which they consider the best tasting in the state.
The winner was Chanute.
Durham’s water comes from two wells outside of town, Durham water operator Dick Hein said.
An 8,000 to 9,000 gallon standpipe in town holds surplus water and maintains pressure in case of high demand.
The wells are roughly 200 feet higher than the town, so pressure normally is good.
Hein takes his responsibilities seriously and tests for lead, copper, and nitrate contamination monthly. He tests for chlorine residuals daily.
“I’ve done a lot of updates to make sure the water is good,” Hein said. “We’ve put in a monitor for what goes on at the wells. It tells me the water level at the wells.”
The water does not have many chemicals added to it, Hein said.
“It’s pretty sandy soil, so we think it’s pretty much cleaned up by the time it gets to town,” he said.
The fact that the wells are surrounded mostly by pastureland, not cropland, reduces the possibility of nitrate contamination.
“When you’re taking care of people in town, you want it to be good,” Hein said. “I’m glad I could get an award.”