FEBRUARY 18, 2025|
Photo – Map of water projects – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The governing body of Rawlins has officially adopted the recently completed water master plan.
In December of 2022, the Wyoming Water Development Office hired WWC Engineering to perform an in-depth study on the water infrastructure of Rawlins. Last July, the engineering firm presented a draft copy of its water master plan to the Rawlins city council.
In his report, WWC Engineering Laramie Branch Manager Murray Schroeder listed four priority one projects that should be addressed as soon as possible: revitalizing the Sage Creek Springs, repairing blow-off valves on the transmission line from the springs to the water treatment plant, addressing the high-pressure line running under Interstate 80, and replacing the city’s two treated water storage tanks.
During the July 9th meeting, Schroeder explained that the aging transmission line running from the Sage Creek Spring to the water treatment plant must be repaired. The WWC engineer estimated that the project will cost roughly $9 million.
Schroeder said replacing the faulty blowoff valves on the 30 miles of transmission line is estimated to cost more than $5 million. Replacing 7,000 feet of high-pressure piping beneath Interstate 80 will cost upwards of $9 million. And finally, installing two new treated water storage tanks will cost $4.7 million.
In total, Schroeder said just the four priority one projects will cost over $26 million. The WWC engineer said it may take more than a decade to address all the infrastructure weaknesses contained in the water master plan.
Last November, representatives from Rawlins met with the Wyoming Water Development Commission and the Select Water Committee to request funding to address the issues outlined in the water master plan. The state awarded Rawlins $2.8 million to use as a 50% grant match to replace blowoff valves along the city’s water transmission line.
During the February 4th Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey asked the governing body to formally adopt the now completed water master plan.
Councilman Derek Elliott asked if adopting the water master plan will lead to an increase in water rates for residents.
City Manager Sarvey explained that the completed water master plan lists over $50 million worth of high priority projects. With a $48 million shortfall in the city’s water enterprise fund, Sarvey said rate increases will be necessary.
Sarvey said the city is in a crisis and the water projects must be completed as soon as possible.
The Rawlins city council adopted the completed water master plan, with a vote of five to one. Councilman Elliot was the lone dissenting vote. Councilman Bruce Seilaff was absent from the meeting.
