HomeMy WebLinkAbout8B - Water Treatment Plant
DISCUSSION:
ISSUES:
JUNE 5, 2006
8B
STEVE ALBRECHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
WATER TREATMENT PLANT INFORMATIONAL HEARING
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the public additional information
and allow an opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposed Water
Treatment Plant (WTP).
History
The City of Prior Lake Capital Improvements Program (CIP) has planned for a
Water Treatment Plant since the mid '90s. The CIP has budgeted $13 million
for the construction of a Water Treatment Plant and associated water storage.
In January of 2005 the City Council raised water rates. Part of that rate
increase was in anticipation of the Water Treatment Plant. By adjusting these
rates previously the plant can be completely funded without use of any tax
dollars or additional adjustments to water rates.
The City of Prior Lake draws the majority of our drinking water from the Jordan
Aquifer. In Prior Lake this aquifer is high in both iron and manganese. While
the water is safe to drink, the levels of these minerals present in the water
exceed secondary drinking water standards established by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). As a result numerous residents experience water
staining, odor and even taste issues at their residences. These high levels also
affect the life of water filters and softeners.
In addition to the impacts at residences these minerals cause build-up in the
water system piping that can substantially reduce the capacity of watermains
and water services.
The natural environment that makes Prior Lake so special causes problems
with our water system. The lake acts as a barrier resulting in numerous dead-
end watermains where lack of water circulation results in the above problems.
For that reason City staff flushes watermains on an aggressive schedule to
keep them as clean as possible.
Current Circumstances
The City Council, as part of the public information process for this project has
recommended a public information hearing. The staff will make a presentation
addressing the issues identified below. It would then be appropriate to open the
floor for questions and comments from residents.
Several issues have been raised throughout the process. The major issues
identified by staff are as follows:
1) Why were water rates raised?
Water rates were raised to help fund ongoing water system infrastructure
reconstruction and the water treatment plant.
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FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES:
2) Why not have a referendum for the Water Treatment Plant?
The City contacted our bond consultants and were advised not to conduct
a referendum. Because the Water Treatment Plant will be funded from
the Water Utility Fund no tax increase or dollars are needed. The
referendum would be considered advisory and could jeopardize the tax
exempt status of any bonds issued to fund the project. Additionally City
staff teels that quality water is an essential service and all residents of this
City deserve the highest quality water we can deliver.
3) Why not utilize a different water source?
The City of Prior Lake's only source of potable water is groundwater. Three
aquifers or water producing layers exist under the City of Prior Lake. They
are the Jordan, Franconia-Ironton-Galesville and Mt. Simon aquifers.
The Jordan aquifer provides an average of 1,000 gpm from 4 existing wells
in the City and is considered a very viable source however it is high in iron
and manganese. Currently an additional Jordan Well (#8) is under
construction by the City.
The FIG aquifer is deeper and only provides an average of 300 gpm. The
City currently has 1 FIG well and is developing another. While iron and
manganese are at lower levels these wells do not provide enough water to
be considered a primary source. These wells are also deeper more
expensive to construct than the Jordan.
The Mt. Simon aquifer is the deepest aquifer and is protected by the
Department of Natural Resources for future or emergency use. While it
produces 1,000 gpm it also typically contains radium and needs to be mixed
with other water sources or treated. For the above listed reasons the
Jordan aquifer is the only viable source for the City.
4) Can't we change maintenance techniques to improve water quality?
City staff currently is utilizing flushing, computerized water modeling and
other methods to improve water quality. However there are no additional
things staff can do to improve the water beyond its current quality.
5) Why not have developer's pay for the water treatment plant?
The proposed plant will serve the existing residents. A future plant on the
west side of the lake in the annexation area will serve new development.
The primary source of funding for the future plant will be development fees
collected from those benefiting parcels.
The City previously raised water rates in anticipation of this project. No tax or
water rate increases are proposed for this project.
1. Direct the WTP Committee to begin the Consultant selection process for
the WTP project.
2. Provide the WTP Committee with different direction.
3. Table this item to a certain date in the future.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
St ff recommends alternative number 1.
les, City Manager
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