By JANE E. VAJNAR

Contributing writer

Durham City Council met June 8 and expressed concerns about determining the source of a water leak.

Water supervisor Verlin Sommerfeld said he talked with a representative of Kansas Rural Water Association and was told every meter in town was checked with no leaks found.

“I asked if we could get in trouble with the state,” Sommerfeld said, but since the representative had investigated the problem, the state should be satisfied.

There is a water line in the south end of town with no users. The council decided to cap the line in case the leak is there. Officials discussed the position of lines and valves and the possibility of narrowing the area where the leak is located.

Sommerfeld reported 437,200 gallons of water were pumped in May and only 266,420 gallons were sold — a 39 percent loss.

In other business:

• Mayor Mike Sorenson asked for an update regarding the possibility of the city selling the former bank building.
• Gary Unruh reported the prospective buyer was checking the amount of property taxes. If the tax burden is affordable, the buyer would still be interested.
• A drainage problem behind the post office was checked. A culvert could be installed if the city paid for it.
• A “dip” could be constructed in the road but it wouldn’t plug it like a culvert, Sorenson said. Tom Harmon suggested hiring someone to install a dip and ask the county to provide blacktop. The council authorized Sorenson to pursue a solution with the county.
• Council members discussed city streets needing rock.
• A propane contract had been received by the city for 400 gallons of propane for $1,113. The council approved the purchase of 700 gallons of propane.
• Other payments were $35 for membership to the City Attorneys Association of Kansas, $105 for flowers for the street and park, and $441 to Stutzman Refuse Disposal for cleanup week.