EARLVILLE – After replacing one of the two water pumps in the Village of Earlville, officials decided last week to move forward with the replacement of the other one.

The two water pumps were installed in 1988 and had a life expectancy of 10 years. Initially, the pumps were capable of pumping 280 gallons of water a minute. However 20 years later, the pumps’ capacities have each decreased by more than 50 percent. Village Department Of Public Works Superintendent Kyle Saltern said capacity had gradually worsened.

“The pumps are worn out and there are holes in the [pump] casing,” he said. In a previous meeting about the capital project, the holes in the casing were identified as a possible problem area.

In the past, Saltern said, the pumps would run for approximately two hours to fill the water storage tank. Recently, it has taken seven to eight hours a day.