PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Town of Manderson is located in the northern Bighorn Basin. They
currently have two relatively shallow wells, however, they are
experiencing water quality and quantity problems. They wish to locate a
deeper, better quality groundwater source and convey that water to their
existing distribution system. There are 52 taps in this area.
The Town of Basin is committed to this project because they are
experiencing problems with their current water supply system, and
because they anticipate their current system will require a considerable
capital investment in the near future. There are 600 taps in this area.
The rural area around Manderson and Basin has formed a district, the
South Bighorn County Water District, to provide service to approximately
170 users.
A groundwater exploration program was conducted by WWDC in 1985 that
indicated a good potential exists for obtaining groundwater from the
Paleozoic formations approximately 8 miles east of Manderson. In 1993,
an exploratory well was constructed that produced water of excellent
quality, but lacked sufficient yield to supply the projected 750 taps in
the regional water system. In 1994 the well was hydraulically fractured
in an attempt to stimulate water production. The well now flows
approximately 350 gpm of good quality water. A second well has been
drilled into the Madison formation that produces approximately 250 gpm.
The water supply from the two wells will meet demand for many years.
In 1994, the project continued through conceptual designs and cost
estimates. The sponsor has 820 taps committed to the project. A joint
powers board, South Big Horn County Water Supply Joint Powers Board, has
been formed to serve as the sponsor for the project. The project is
currently being designed. The engineer will conduct three separate bid
lettings for the project. The first contract has been let and the
second production well has been drilled. The second construction
contract provides the major transmission pipeline between the wells and
the Town of Basin. The second phase is under construction. The Design
for the third phase construction is currently under review and will go
to construction in 1998. Reevaluating the project costs using the most
recent costs, indicates there will be a need for additional funding for
the third phase. The shortfall is between $250,000 and $400,000.
Currently the WWDC, the USDA Rural Utility Services, the State Loan and
Investment Board, and the sponsor are funding the project. The WWDC
has been funding 67 percent of the project with the other entities
funding 33 percent of the project. The WWDC has been requested to
provide additional funding of $200,000.00 and cumulatively the WWDC will
not exceed 67 percent of the project cost. The Rural Utility Services
will provide the remaining funding and the Phase III components will be
adjusted to match the total funding package.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends that the project budget be increased by $200,000
grant and the total project funding remain at 67%. The remaining
project costs will be provided by the other funding sources. It is
further recommended that the project due date be extended to 2002.
