August 23, 2024|
Photo – 2024 Draft Water Master Plan for Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo
The City of Rawlins will avoid water restrictions this summer. The Rawlins City Manager told the governing body this week that no water restrictions are anticipated for the remainder of the year.
Underground wells and springs south of town, which are fed by mountain snowmelt, supply residents with drinking water. In drought years, city officials issue water restrictions, limiting when residents may irrigate or water their lawns.
Speaking at Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey said current flow rates from the springs are high. Sarvey said he doesn’t foresee the need for water restrictions this season.
At the same meeting, City Manager Sarvey provided the council with an update on the Wyoming Water Development Commission’s water master plan. Sarvey explained that once completed, the master plan will identify the repairs the city’s water infrastructure requires and how to pay for them.
In the spring of 2023, following a series of water main breaks, Rawlins officials enlisted the Wyoming Water Development Commission to perform a comprehensive analysis of the city’s water system. In June of this year, a draft copy of the plan was presented to the city council. The plan identified four critical areas the city must address to prevent an entire system failure. Repairs are estimated at over $26 million.
At Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, Sarvey said he has the completed water master plan in hand, work on the listed projects should begin quickly.
