Pocomoke City Public Works, last Friday, install an experimental water-purifying unit near 13th Street and Market Street. The unit, developed by Korean company IOREX, was designed to remove and prevent rust, scale and slime in pipelines using a patented ionization process.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 15, 2018) Pocomoke City Public Works on Friday installed a pair of experimental water purifying units designed to improve water quality in the Heights neighborhood.

If successful, the units, designed by Korean-based company IOREX, could be installed in several other locations and save the town about $1 million, not to mention help solve the decades-old issue of substandard drinking water.

“We are looking at the 100 percent natural water-resetting device that does not require any kind of external power to operate,” Julie Koo, president and CEO of IOREX, said while overseeing installation. “Based on past performances of similar situations, we have seen a significant improvement [in water quality] and hope that that would be the case for here as well.”

The device is said to prevent and remove rust, scale, slime and biofilm in pipes, prevent corrosion, kill bacteria, and purify and improve the taste of water.

“We’ve done some research and we tried to learn a lot about [water issues in Pocomoke], as much as we can read from newspapers and also some information gathered from people [in the town],” Koo said. “This lasts for over 20 years and does not require any maintenance, so that’s an added benefit. It’s not like something you have to continue to maintain … hopefully that will also add some value to the entire operation.”

City Manager Bobby Cowger was present on Friday as crews installed the first IOREX device into a section of pipeline near 13th Street and Market Street.

“This is huge for us,” Cowger said. “Residents here have been dealing with this water for 40 years. If this works like everyone is telling us it’s going to and we’re hoping it’s going to, between the water lines that I’m putting in and replacing now and this, I should have this water issue resolved by the end of this year.”

Cowger said the two units installed on Friday cost $45,000 each. A second device was installed at the far end of the Heights neighborhood, “where the water comes in from the back end.”

The town paid a $30,000 deposit for both as part of a pilot program. If certain requirements in water quality are not met within six months, that money will be refunded.

“If we’re not seeing major results within six months, then we get that deposit back 100 percent,” Cowger said. “The only thing we’ve really got invested is our day putting it in, so maybe $1,500 [worth of labor]. It’s a no-lose situation and a win-win for us all.

“The good thing about this, is if this thing works and we’re the first one in the country to get this as far as municipality water lines, this should work for towns and cities all over the country. And we’re going to be the model for it,” he continued. “It may put Pocomoke on the map, hopefully, for a good reason.”

Cowger said about 180 customers would be affected by the pilot. He said some results would be noticeable within 30-60 days. “Ninety days, definitely,” he added.

“Within six months I think they’re going to see some major, major change in their water,” he said.

The program could also save the town about $1 million by cutting the number of pipelines that need to be replaced. Pocomoke is already saving money by replacing pipelines using public works crews rather than outside contractors.

“If we went through an MDE grant or loan and had a big contractor come in, it’s like $2.9 million,” he said. “These two [IOREX units] aren’t going to do it alone, but at $45,000 if we had to put three or four in, it’s still a huge savings over $2.9 million.”

Cowger said he plans to pursue grant funding to replace additional pipelines, and possibly to install more IOREX units.

“I told people when I got hired that this was my number one priority, and I’m showing it and making it happen. I believe I’m going to have the water problem resolved here by the end of this year — I really do,” he said.