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2000 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Active Projects

PROJECT INFORMATION:
Growth in the city and the surrounding area prompted the city to request analysis of their problems. The rural areas around Lander typically obtain their water from wells, which are of poor quality and quantity, or they haul their water from Lander. Several areas, including Tweed Lane, south of Lander, northeast of Lander, and Baldwin Creek, have approached the city requesting water service. However, the city was uncertain whether their system could reliably meet these and other future water service demands. A Level I master plan was completed to serve as a planning tool to respond to these requests.

The Level I study assessed the physical and economical limits of the existing system to serve an expanded service area. The study determined the water supply needs of that area, and evaluated the capability of Lander's existing water supply to meet those needs. The study made recommendations regarding the upgrading that will be required before the city can serve the rural areas. The study developed preliminary designs and cost estimates for the facilities identified as needing improvements. The city prioritized the system improvements and requested a Level II evaluation of the supply line to the treatment plant, enlargement of the treatment plant, and additional storage at the treatment plant and near the city. The infiltration gallery was also evaluated. The infiltration gallery provides a large portion of the total supply to the city and has been declared under the influence of surface water and because of the EPA Surface Water Treatment Rule must be filtered. Three stratigraphic test holes were drilled to test the depth of the alluvium and its potential for development. During 1999 two test wells were drilled to determine the feasibility of replacing the infiltration gallery with a well field. The results were mixed, as the wells tended to yield amounts that would have required a substantial number of production wells.

The sponsor requested that funding for a new transmission line to their existing water treatment plant. The sponsor has also secured funding through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and from the Abandoned Mined Lands Program to fund an enlargement to the water treatment plant.

RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends that the project be incorporated in the Rehabilitation Program at Level III with an appropriation of $1,696,000. The financing plan includes a 50% grant, $848,000 and a 50% loan, $848,000 at 7.25% interest for 20 years.