Analysis OK'd To Look At Dry Prairie

As the city council gathered on Monday, Feb. 2, they waiting to hear from Dry Prairie Rural Water (DPRW) and Morrison-Maierle about getting an analysis and information needed to move ahead and get a higher ranking from the DNRC (Department of Natural Resources Council) for a grant to upgrade the Glasgow Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

The city council unanimously approved funding a more up to date analysis on the costs for hooking up to DPRW, versus upgrading the WTP. That funding was approved with an additional $92,000 for a pilot testing and study on the upgrades to the WTP. The analysis for DPRW will cost an additional $14,000 in order to rank better for a $125,000 grant.

Joni Sherman said she had taken over as manager and that in Valley County they are looking to finish construction in the Area D project, an area that includes 170-200 users. They currently already service the Nashua area with around 370 customers. The base rate for water is $33.20 and rural areas are paying about $150 per 1,000 gallons of water usage.

When Mayor Becky Erickson asked when they would need to know if the city would be interested in hooking up, she thought maybe it could be around 2018. However, she would have to check with the board to be sure. After the meeting, Erickson said that the public was owed a more updated look and information on feasibility of hooking up to Dry Prairie.

Meanwhile, Morrison-Maierle has been continuing their plans and work on upgrades to the WTP. Jeremy Perlinski, a senior water/wastewater engineer for Morrison-Maierle, explained that they would do the analysis report to see if it was feasible to hook up to DPRW. They were also going to subcontract with a company to do the pilot study, which will inform the council and the company if the design for upgrades will be sufficient. They other item they were going to work on was an environmental report, which was required for Rural Development funding.

Perlinski said he thought they could complete all three tasks in three months. The council's full approval for these tasks was included in the $120,400 contract.