PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Green River is the domestic raw water supply source for the Cities
of Rock Springs and Green River. Water is pumped from the Green River
to an existing water treatment facility located along the northern bank
of the river. After treatment, the water is pumped from the treatment
plant to the distribution systems of both communities. In the case of
Rock Springs, water is delivered to users through an existing 20 inch
diameter pipeline that traverses the fourteen mile distance between the
communities. The Cities of Rock Springs and Green River formed a joint
powers board in order to purchase the privately owned water system.
Prior to purchasing the system in 1986, the joint powers board sponsored
a system evaluation and inventory. The evaluation indicated that the
transmission pipeline had lost 35% of its original capacity and was
identified as the single most expensive element and a critical "weak
link" in the system.
Three subdivisions; Clearview Acres, White Mountain and Stassinos were
not served by the water system when the system was operated by a private
concern. In 1988, the joint powers board petitioned the Wyoming Water
Development Commission to evaluate the existing transmission system. In
the context of supplying water to subdivisions near Rock Springs that
are not presently being served, the study was to specifically look at
the 20" diameter pipeline that connects the water treatment plant in
Green River to users in Rock Springs. The Wyoming Water Development
Commission sponsored a Level II study that identified two system
bottlenecks; namely the existing 20" diameter pipeline and the raw water
intake facility located along the banks of the Green River. The
existing Green River to Rock Springs pipeline could not keep pace with
existing demand and the existing raw water intake could not accommodate
growth or expansion of the system. Therefore, a thirty-inch diameter
pipeline and a new larger intake facility were recommended for Level III
construction. The Level II study also recommended that peaking storage
facilities be constructed in Rock Springs.
The legislature appropriated $23,000,000 during the 1990 session for
construction of new transmission and peaking facilities to serve Rock
Springs and nearby subdivisions. The legislature appropriated an
additional $4,000,000 to construct an additional peaking facility in
Green River, new transmission facilities in Green River, additional
storage in Rock Springs, and additional transmission pipelines in Rock
Springs to cover the expense associated with relocating planned
improvements that could not be constructed at the existing treatment
plant, due to the inability of obtaining a permit from the State of
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
During a geotechnical investigation to determine supporting subgrade
characteristics for a new clear well and pump station, hydrocarbon
contamination of the soil and groundwater was discovered at the existing
water treatment plant. In order to secure a State of Wyoming Department
of Environmental Quality "permit to construct" improvements originally
planned for the water treatment plant had to be relocated to a
contamination free site.
Facilities funded by the 1990 appropriation ($23,000,000) have been
completed and are providing service to the project sponsors. The
transmission facilities between Rock Springs and Green River are no
longer a "bottleneck" and, in fact, will serve the area for years to
come. Construction bids have been received on two of the components
funded by the 1994 appropriation ($4,000,000), the Wind River tank and
Stagecoach pipeline. There are only two components to this project
which are not presently completed. Bids were received on the Reliance
pipeline and it is now completed. The entire project should be completed
by the end of 1999.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is required.
