August 21, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins Water System – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Rawlins water survey is underway and on track to be completed by next year. The city will begin providing updates to the public starting this fall.
The city has been struggling to keep its aging water infrastructure functioning. Early last year, drought conditions combined with crumbling underground pipes caused a city-wide shortage of clean drinking water. Back then, sources within the Rawlins government told Bigfoot99 that the city was one water main break away from being out of clean water for a month or more. To prevent a major catastrophe, the city has enlisted the Wyoming Water Development Commission to perform a comprehensive analysis of the city’s water system. The Level One Water Master Plan will focus on expanding the city’s access to fresh spring water and identify deficiencies in the water infrastructure.
During the July 18th Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey said the Level One Water Master Plan began earlier in the month with a visit from Wyoming Water Development Commission Project Manager George Moser.
Last week, Bigfoot99 asked Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill for an update on the Level One Water Master Plan. Dill said the study is in progress and expected to be finished by next July.
Dill said WLC Engineering and Surveying, the water study firm, has not given the city any recommendations yet.
Earlier in the year, city officials promised to hold a series of town hall meetings to discuss the state of the city’s water supply. Speaking to Bigfoot99 in early May, Public Relations Officer Mira Miller said the wetter than average spring meant water restrictions haven’t been needed. Miller said the city would begin hosting the town hall meetings when more information was available.
During the August 15th Rawlins city council meeting, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked City Manager Sarvey if he still planned on having the town hall meetings. Sarvey said the meetings will still happen, but the discussion will concentrate more on infrastructure reports than water restrictions.
Sarvey said the town hall meetings will begin sometime in the fall.
In 2002, the town of Sinclair signed a 50-year-long agreement to have its fresh water entirely supplied by Rawlins. During last year’s water infrastructure breakdown, Rawlins officials asked Sinclair to cut back on the amount of water the town used. The 21-year-old contract says the town is guaranteed 543 gallons of water per minute. The contract does not say Sinclair is obligated to follow any water restrictions set by Rawlins.
The Town of Sinclair received its contracted amount of water and was not required to levy or advise any restrictions on its use to residents.
In November of last year, Sinclair officials met to discuss the town’s options should Rawlins fail to uphold its end of the agreement to provide a set amount of clean drinking water. The takeaway was that the town shouldn’t attempt to break the contract. Instead, Sinclair officials were advised to meet with Rawlins officials to come to a mutually agreeable solution.
At the August 15th meeting, Councilman Chris Weisenburg asked Sarvey if he was communicating with Sinclair officials about the city’s water supply. Councilman Weisenburg said wanted the meetings to happen even if the city wasn’t in a water crisis.
Sarvey said he had recently spoken to Sinclair Mayor Cullan Meeks about the meetings. The city manager said he intended to begin formal talks in the near future.
The City of Rawlins is hopeful that the repairs suggested by the Level One Water Master Plan will ensure a reliable and safe water supply for decades to come. With the completed study in hand, Rawlins officials will be better able to find grant opportunities to pay for the required upgrades.
