WWDC gives water study recommendation

Last week, Water Development Project Manager George Moser held a public hearing and presented the recommendations for the WWDC Study - Hot Springs County Supply Evaluation - Level II Study. The event, held at the county annex, was well attended with various members of the community and representatives of different related agencies.

Moser was joined by Jeff Rosenlund of DOWL and Ben Jordan, a geologist, where they gave the presentation together.

The presenters reviewed some of their past meetings and the project’s scope. This included gathering information and identifying stakeholders; develop population growth projections; inventory and evaluate water resources; identify reasonable alternatives; prepare conceptual design and costs; evaluate funding and resulting water rates; seek public input; prioritize and evaluate recommendations; obtain access; and compile a report.

Regarding ground water, the well siting evaluation and options included Wester Sites, Yankee Dome Anticline; Shelbourne Dome Anticline; Minnesela Wildcat, Buffalo Creek Monocline, Wildhorse Butte Anticline, and Lysite Mountain Anticline.

However, the other options for a water supply source are variations of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP). They included, upgrade the existing WTP, upgrade the existing WTP and relocate the intake, construct a new WTP and relocate the intake, construct a new WTP upstream, and maintain WTP as an emergency supply only.

The presenters then performed some analysis of the estimated maximum well yields and the projected capital cost of dollars per gallon. Additionally, they presented the project alternatives of debt costs and the operation and management (O&M) cost comparisons. A new WTP would be $716,300 per year, with a $32 per tap per month. A groundwater system would be $438,500 with a $20 per tap per month.

Regarding financing and funding sources, assistance would be available through the WWDC for “eligible” project components; the USDA RD/RUS; the Wyoming Drinking Water State Revolving Fund; and the Mineral Royalty Grant Program.

In addition to reviewing costs of either groundwater well water supplies and the options of the water treatment plant, the reviewers analyzed the non-financial matrices and their scores. These included environmental factors, public perception, constructions unknowns, time frame issues, access constraints, and regional system benefits. 

Based on all the data, from the financials and the non-financial factors, the presenters then provided their study recommendations. They recommend building a new Water Treatment Plant on the existing site and a new intake. However, if access was available, a groundwater source could be developed on the Yankee Dome North I and II and Yankee Dome South alternative.

Moser opened the meeting for public comment and only received some general clarification questions on some of the data from Tony Basko, who serves on the Owl Creek Water District Board. There were no other comments or questions, therefore, Moser closed the public comments.

The presenters will submit their recommendation to the Hot Springs County Rural Water Joint Powers Board for consideration. This board has a member from each entity and will provide wholesale water service to each entity. The board will manage and operate the water supply facilities and system.