February 22, 2024 |
Photo – Equipment digs up water lines along Spruce St in 2018 – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Rawlins, officials are discussing when to update residents on the city’s water transmission line replacement project.
Two years ago in 2022, the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board denied Rawlins nearly $7.5 million in COVID relief funding. Officials then hoped to use the grant money to repair and replace the 32-miles of pipes that deliver clean drinking water from Sage Creek Springs to the city. The state agency declined the request on the city’s lack of preparation, citing a need for a design plan before funding could be awarded.
In November of last year, SLIB approved the city’s request for $735,000 to engineer plans for a replacement water transmission system.
Speaking at Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, Councilman Chris Weisenburg asked City Manager Tom Sarvey if he will hold a public meeting to address the water transmission line replacement project. Councilman Weisenburg said a special workshop would allow the city to clear up any misunderstandings about what the SLIB money is for.
City Manager Sarvey told the councilman that he wants to hold off on any public meetings until the water transmission line project is developed further. Sarvey said the engineering designs are almost at the point where the city will know what the project will cost to build.
Sarvey said the engineering designs for the first part of the project should be completed by the end of March.
Mayor Terry Weickum agreed and said public meetings will be held but now is not the time. Mayor Weickum said there isn’t much to report until they know how much the project will cost.
Sarvey said after the engineering designs are complete, the city will solicit requests for proposals for replacing the computerized control system at the water treatment plant, called a SCADA, and improving water flow at the Sage Creek Springs.
Sarvey said with the RFPs in hand, the city will have a better idea of what the entire water transmission line project will look like. After receiving that information, Sarvey said the city will begin to hold public information meetings.
