PROJECT INFORMATION:
The 1997 Legislature authorized WWDC funding in the amount of $1,800,000 (50% grant, 50%
loan) to construct the first phase of a raw (untreated) water system to economically provide
irrigation for parks, golf courses, cemeteries and recreational fields in the city. Under the first
phase, an existing 16-inch water main was converted from transmitting treated water to
conveying raw water for irrigation use at Lion's Park and at three 18-hole golf courses located in
the northwest part of the city. This phase of the project resulted in a 3 million gallons per day
(mgd) reduction in peak day demands for treated water.
Phase II of the project will extend the raw water system from the Sloans Lake/Lions Park area
further east, across the municipal airport to the Prairie View Golf Course area. This would enable
the system to serve the four cemeteries south of the airport, the Morrie Avenue/Airport parkways,
the Veterans Administration grounds, East High School grounds and athletic fields, two softball
field complexes, the golf course, two baseball field complexes and two soccer field complexes.
The irrigated lands served would be approximately 200 acres resulting in another 1.5 to 2.0 mgd
savings in peak day treated water demands. A 1996 States West Water Resources Level II Water
Supply Study indicates that each 1 mgd in reduced water treatment capacity saves approximately
$1.3 million in capital costs plus a significant reduction in yearly operation and maintenance
costs.
Timing of this project is critical since the new pipeline will run across Cheyenne Airport property
and should coincide with current airport plans to relocate the main runway. The City of Cheyenne
has requested a $5,000,000 appropriation to design and construct Phase II of the raw water
irrigation system.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends the project be incorporated into the New Development Program at
Level III with an appropriation of $5,000,000. The financing plan would be a 50% grant
($2,500,000), and a 50% loan ($2,500,000), at an interest rate of 6% for a term of 30 years.
