PROJECT INFORMATION:
In 1992, the CBPU requested funding for several projects. The WWDC suggested the CBPU
complete a master plan to prioritize future improvements. The city's existing master plan had
become dated and did not address the latest EPA requirements.
In 1993, the Wyoming legislature approved funding to update the Cheyenne Water Supply Master
Plan. In 1994 the master plan was completed. The plan identified needed improvements,
suggested priorities, estimated costs, and now serves as a planning tool for the city.
Approximately $62,000,000 in needed capital improvements has been identified. The identified
improvements include an extensive upgrade to the CBPU Sherard Water Treatment Plant and
several transmission system improvements. These improvements were prioritized and
recommended for completion by the year 2007. Additional Level II analysis was recommended
to refine designs and cost estimates.
In 1996, States West Water Resources Corporation completed a Level II study of the Cheyenne
Water Supply System. Conceptual designs and cost estimates were prepared for 1) a raw water
system to irrigate parks and golf courses, 2) improvements to the raw water lines feeding the
water treatment plant, 3) a new water transmission main to the east side of Cheyenne, 4)
corrosion analysis, and 5) improvements to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
System.
WWDC funding was authorized during the 2000 Legislature in the amount of $11,000,000 (60%
grant, 40% loan) to construct a portion of a second raw water supply line from Crystal Reservoir
to the new Sherard water treatment plant. The new 36-inch line total length is approximately 15
miles. The City of Cheyenne proposed to build approximately 12.1 miles of the lower part of the
36-inch line as the first phase of the project, based upon a project cost estimate of $11,000,000
and the knowledge that existing lines and the line extension to that point would be able to provide
36 MGD flows to the new Sherard water treatment plant. The remaining upper 3 miles of the 36inch
line would then be built as a future Phase II as flow demands in Cheyenne increase beyond
36 MGD. With Phase II of the 36-inch line completed, total flow capacity of existing and new
lines is estimated to be 58 MGD.
Excellent competitive bids on the first phase of the project allowed the City of Cheyenne to
extend the first phase of the project and additional 1.6 miles beyond the original 12.1 miles,
increasing the raw water delivery capacity to the Sherard water treatment plant to 48 MGD. The
remaining 1.3 miles from the Hecla diversion to Crystal Dam and Reservoir is currently under
design and will be completed using the remaining $1.9 million balance available the $11,000,000
authorization.
The City of Cheyenne has been advised by their engineer not to utilize the full increased capacity
of the pipeline (48 MGD) until the outlet works at Crystal Dam and Reservoir are modified to
safely handle the increased flow. The City of Cheyenne is therefore requesting that the 2000
legislation authorizing this project be changed to allow modification of the outlet works pipes,
valves and flow control building at Crystal Dam and Reservoir, along with increasing the project
appropriation by $2 million.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The WWDC recommends that the project be continued at Level III in the New Development
Program with an additional appropriation of $2,000,000 to include the construction of Crystal
Dam and Reservoir outlet modifications. WWDC further recommends the funding reversion date
for the project be amended to be July 1, 2007. The financing plan includes an additional 60%
grant of $1,200,000 and an additional 40% loan of $800,000 at 7.25% interest for 30 years. The
total project appropriation is increased from $11,000,000 to $13,000,000.
