Status: State of Emergency
Update:
An Ad hoc committee was formed to work on the state of our water infrastructure. The committee is comprised of two City Council members along with concerned city residents and property owners. Anyone who has experience with grant seeking, grant writing, or are knowledgeable in plumbing / pipe installation are encouraged to join this committee. This is a working committee; each member contributes and reports on their area of expertise. These meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. To stay informed please attend the regular City Town Hall meeting immediately following the Ad hoc committee meeting, the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. Both meetings are held in the museum’s auditorium.
Currently all major leaks are under containment. The next biggest leak scheduled for repair has been named the Van Daam leak; of which we received funding from State Department of Water Resources to repair this leak. The repair of the Van Daam leak has been delayed due to weather and frozen ground, as this leak must be hand dug to access due to the pipes fragile state. Once this leak is repaired, we will be in a holding pattern while we continue to find funding via grants, low interest loans, or property tax special assessments to replace close to 75% of our city water system. The ad hoc committee is currently assessing a short term work plan as well as beginning a long-term work plan. A short-term next step would be to replace the abandoned 10” pipe from where the previous major leak occurred. Creating a long-term plan, we are hopeful to include more shut off locations and another well on the south side of town. This will prevent water having to be shut off for the majority of the town to conduct repairs in the future. We are pulling together to find possible solutions to fix this serious dilemma.
Possible Solutions:
USDA Grant for rural water structures, with the possibility of matching funds.
USDA long term low interest loans, resulting in rate increases.
Property Tax / Special Assessment
What to expect:
A definite increase in water/sewer charges
Possible disruption of water source, as well as street detours due to construction.
Next Meeting: 12-1-2022 Ad hoc Committee 5:30 PM / City Town Hall meeting 6:30 PM
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