Engineer Bruce Boettcher with BG Consultants provided Eureka City Council members with a brief overview of the completed Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) draft for the potable water system (drinking water).
Due to aging infrastructure, the City of Eureka is looking at two potential projects: one for portable water and one for wastewater. The PER for the wastewater system is currently in progress and anticipated for completion in August.
Following assessment of the portable water system, BG Consultants drafted a recommendation for needed work to the system. The engineer’s opinion of probable cost (EOPC), financial status of the current system and financing options were included within the PER overview. In regards to the PER and action items (submitting for project funding determination and submitting the pre-application for the clean water/wastewater system: the Intended Use Plan - IUP ), Mayor Stephen Coulter stated that this was the first step in the process. Coulter noted that he wanted to ensure the right choice is made on behalf of the community as this item is considered. As the current high quality of water was discussed, concerns over potential breaks in the line were voiced. It was shared that portions of the system currently in place date back to 1888. Coulter noted that people take water for granted, adding that he struggles in regards to the potential cost, but doesn’t feel the city has much of a choice and officials need to begin making a plan. During discussion, it was noted that the city will soon be looking at a similar report in regards to the sewer system. At this time, it was noted that historically the city has not done well planning ahead for maintenance items such as these.
Recommendations for the project included replacement of all cast iron waterlines, rehabilitation of components in the water treatment plant and replacement of the line to water source W-7 (Otis Creek Reservoir) totaling $23.1 million. To make the project more feasible from the financial perspective, priority items were broken down within the PER. Priority items included replacement of the main from W-7, water treatment plant rehabilitation and phase one of distribution improvements. Anticipated cost for phase one of distribution improvements totaled $13,000,000.
Financing options and potential user impact for the 1,228 active services (potential water bill increase) were discussed. Potential funding sources discussed included the following: Kansas Department of Health and Environment State Revolving Loan Fund (KDHE- SRF); Rural Development through the USDA, loan with a potential grant pairing and Private Sector Bonds.
A complete article can be found in the June 21, 2023 issue of The Eureka Herald, which is available for purchase at The Eureka Herald.
