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 Meeteetse
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.
A Level I study completed in 1995 by James Gores and Associates
recommended moving the water supply intake to Lower Sunshine Reservoir
and building a new water treatment plant outside the 100 year flood
plain near Sunshine Reservoir. A pilot plant study was completed in
1997 to determine the feasibility and projected cost of treating Lower
Sunshine Reservoir water with conventional and micro-filtration
processes. Micro-filtration is feasible and is expected to have
considerably lower operation and maintenance costs. The level II study
was completed in 1997 and recommended the following improvements to the
Meeteetse water system:
-
- Move the diversion from the Wood River to the Lower Sunshine
Reservoir at the Gate House
- Construct a backup supply lift station at the Sunshine Dam toe
drain
- Construct a raw water pipeline from the dam diversion to the
water treatment plant
- Construct a new water treatment plant
- Construct a finished water transmission main to tie in with
the main from the existing water treatment plant to the Town.
Preliminary designs and cost estimates were prepared for the above
listed improvements.
The town has requested funding (60% grant only) for items 1, 2, 3, and
5 from the WWDC New Development account. The remaining 40% of the
capital cost of these components will be financed with grants from the
RUS. Component 4 would be financed from a combination of grants and
loans from Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board (WSLIB) and the RUS.
WWDC grant (17%): | $ 333,000.00 | |
WSLIB grant (16%): | $ 300,000.00 | (more grant funds may be available) |
RUS grant (36%): | $ 680,000.00 | |
RUS loan (31%): | $ 598,000.00 | (5%) |
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends that the project be advanced to Level III status in
the New Development Program with an appropriation of $333,000.00 (grant
only). The Town of Meeteetse will obtain the 40% match from grants and
loans provided by the U.S. Rural Utilities Service (RUS).