PROJECT INFORMATION:
Meeteetse has a population of 386. There are 240 taps in town and 32
existing taps in the rural areas served by the town. The median
household income for Meeteetse is $20,667. Water rates are $17.00 per
month for the first 5,000 gallons, plus $0.75 per 1000 gallons for usage
over 5,000 gallons. The average monthly water bill is $33.25 compared
to the state average of $26.62. The town may be eligible for
significant assistance from the Rural Utilities Service.
A Level I report was completed in 1995. The report determined that
areas around Meeteetse are developing. These areas are served by
individual wells with poor groundwater quality. The residents of the
rural areas have not formed a district and the report indicated that the
monthly cost of city water would be in excess of $100. This projected
cost has led many rural residents to voice their opposition to the
project. In addition, the Level I report identified several
improvements to the town's water treatment system. A Level II study is
underway to determine the feasibility of 1) relocating the intake to the
treatment plant, 2) relocating the treatment plant, 3) improving the
existing treatment plant and 4) protecting the existing intake and
treatment plant from bank erosion.
The Level II study is being conducted by RBD, Inc. Engineering
Consultants, a division of The Sear-Brown Group. The Level I study was
completed by James Gores and Associates in 1995. The Town of Chugwater
operates a conventional filtration plant that treats water diverted from
the Wood River. The Level I report several problems/deficiencies with
the water supply and treatment systems. These problems include:
- The quality of the water supply is extremely variable throughout
the year. It is turbid in the spring during runoff and very clear
in the winter.
- The treatment plant is located on the 100 year flood plain and is
vulnerable to inundation.
- The intake is also vulnerable to flooding and should be moved or
extensively modified.
- The existing treatment process should be extensively modified to
treat the variable water supply and comply with the provisions of
the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Both the Level I and Level II consultants recommend moving the point of
diversion to Lower Sunshine Reservoir and relocating the Treatment plan
outside of the 100 year flood plain. A $24,000.00 pilot plant study is
recommended to determine the feasibility and projected cost of treating
Lower Sunshine Reservoir water with conventional and micro-filtration
processes. Micro-filtration has the potential to be considerably less
costly in both capital construction and plant operation. However, this
is a relatively new technology and the suitability of this treatment
process for Lower Sunshine Reservoir water cannot be adequately determined
without a pilot study. A supplemental appropriation of $24,000.00 would
enable the consultant to complete a pilot plant study to determine the
feasibility and projected cost of treating water Lower Sunshine Reservoir
water with conventional and micro-filtration processes.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends that the project be retained at Level II status in
the New Development Program with a supplemental appropriation of $24,000.00
which would increase the total appropriation to $124,000.