By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Three water projects need to be prioritized and
considered by the city council for the near future.
The projects were the most important of several water
issues discussed by the council at their bi-monthly meeting
on Tuesday.
"We need to pick the most crucial item on the list and do
it this year," said Doran Kay, council member. "The other
projects need to be addressed as we can do them."
Kay said, to his way of thinking, the water line under
Interstate-15 was the most important. However, following
closely in priority, would be lining the old culinary water
tank so that it would no longer leak and developing Large
Vest Spring to be used for culinary water.
"I think we need to plan on the water line under the
freeway as the most important of the projects and complete
that this year," said Bryce Lynn, mayor.
Kay said the estimated cost to have K & P Plumbing
replace the water line running under the freeway, according
to Steve Kay, would be approximately $20,000.
"Steve Kay recommended using HCPE pipe which would be
10-inch or 12-inch field fused," said Kay. "He estimated the
cost to be $6,000 to $8,000 and labor costs to be $6,000 to
$8,000."
The rest of the money estimated as needed for the project
would be used if needed for cost overages which might occur
as the project is completed.
To prevent the whole city from being without culinary
water service for three to four days during the replacement
project, it was suggested a four-inch temporary by-pass line
be run over the freeway overpass at Cemetery Lane.
Allen Pay, water master, also was concerned about
inspections being done on water lines installed in
developments. New water lines are being charged, for
example, in the George Smith development without Pay's
authorization.
"George Smith charged the line himself and did a
chlorination sweep," said Bryce Lynn, Mona mayor.
Ludlow Engineering, retained as the city engineering
firm, makes certain the water line is laid correctly before
any line is charged. However, Pay wants to make it clear
that he has to give his permission before a line can be
charged.
Pay also wanted the council to establish a rate for
drawing water out of a fire hydrant for construction
use.
"George Smith is drawing unauthorized water from a fire
hydrant to spray the construction area for dust control,"
said Kay. "It has been recommended that the city purchase a
two-inch meter with a gate valve. The meter could then be
rented out to developers."
A relay switch burned out in the automatic switch that
controls the waste valve on the new well. It had to be
replaced by an electrician.
"I would like to have the cemetery water metered," said
Pay. "Once that is done, all the major water users would be
metered."
In order to determine the usage of culinary water, said
Pay, the actual use of water needs to be measured.
The new park, the Sand Hills Park, will be watered with
the secondary system.
Pay said that a water pipe located on 200 East froze last
winter.
A representative of the rural water department used a
mine sweeper, the kind used to locate bombs and land mines
underground, to find the valves.
Pay also rebuilt a six-inch bladder valve used to fill
the lower tank.
In addition, he said, the irrigation pond is now on
line.
"The irrigation pond is the one (of two bordering the
freeway on the east) closest to the freeway," said Pay.
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