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 has obtained significant assistance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
The Level II study was 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 study reported 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 received 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 the Wyoming State Land and Investment Board (WSLIB) and the RUS.
The project is financed as follows:
| WWDC grant (17.8%): | $333,000 |
| WSLIB grant (16%): | $300,000 (more grant funds may be available) |
| RUS grant (44.8%): | $1,070,000 |
| RUS loan (21.4%): | $402,000 |
The project is now under construction and will be completed in 2001.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is required.
