PROJECT INFORMATION:
Edgerton obtains municipal water from six wells which produce poor
quality water. The supply is decreasing. Midwest pumps water from the
North Platte River. The pipeline is in poor condition and requires
considerable repair each year. Midwest and Edgerton, with 1990
populations of 495 and 247 respectively, are only one mile apart;
therefore, a common water supply system is the most economical
alternative.
In 1988, a WWDC study concluded that expanding Midwest's existing
delivery system to both towns was the most favorable surface water
option. The cost of these improvements was estimated at $10,000,000.
Improved treatment facilities added approximately $500,000 to the
overall project cost. User costs under this alternative would exceed
$50.00 per tap per month. This cost was unacceptable to the towns.
In 1989, the WWDC evaluated groundwater supplies in the area. A 15-well
supply system was found to be more expensive than replacing the Platte
River pipeline.
A WWDC study conducted in 1990 developed conceptual plans for a reverse
osmosis (RO) water treatment plant to treat the hot and saline water
from an existing Madison well. Construction costs of this alternative
would be lower than the North Platte River pipeline. However, the RO
alternative has higher operation and maintenance costs. The WWDC study
estimated that costs of operating the RO plant would be $35 to $40 per
month per tap. This cost was unacceptable to the towns.
During 1991, the WWDC evaluated a "least cost" system to deliver and
treat water from the North Platte River. Due to the decline in area
population, the system was sized at 300 gpm. Combined with existing
water storage in the area, this system will meet existing demands of
both towns. The estimated construction cost of rehabilitating the
pipeline is $7,500,000.
In 1992, the joint powers board applied to the Farmer's Home
Administration to secure the matching funds for the WWDC grant. During
the 1993 Session, the legislature amended the project statutes to allow
the appropriation to be used to fund a groundwater system or a pipeline
from the North Platte River, subject to the review of the WWDC and
Select Water Committee. In January, 1994, the Farmer's Home
Administration advised that funds had been secured to match the WWDC
project appropriation for the construction of the North Platte Pipeline.
The citizens of Edgerton and Midwest overwhelmingly passed a bond issue
in August, 1994 and the WWDC and Select Water Committee adopted the
North Platte River pipeline as the most feasible water supply
alternative for the towns. The Salt Creek Joint Powers Board became a
member of the Natrona County Regional System Joint Powers Board and will
purchase treated water through the regional water system. The project
has been designed and a two phase construction program was recommended.
The first phase construction has been completed and is ready to be
placed into operation. The second phase will be completed early in
1998.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is recommended on this project.
