NOVEMBER 21, 2024|
Photo – Water tanks in Saratoga before one was demolished – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Wyoming Water Development Commission did not approve Saratoga’s request for funds to construct a new water storage tank.
In the summer of 2023, the town of Saratoga demolished one of the two water storage tanks on Sierra Madre Avenue, southwest of Valley Foods. The 500,000-gallon water tower was built in 2002 to supplement the town’s water storage needs. Constructed of bolted steel sections, the tank has been leaking for years, with water escaping through the seams between the segments. In 2021, the town was ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency to tear the leaking tank down.
The older water tower formerly located at the same site, built in 1979, is constructed of welded steel sections and still stands as the town’s lone treated water storage tank. Due to the age of the tower, Saratoga Public Works Director Emery Penner is working to construct an additional water storage tank in town.
In March of this year, the Saratoga town council voted to allow Penner to apply for a Wyoming Water Development Commission grant to help fund the construction of a new treated water storage tank.
Last week on November 13th, members of the Wyoming Water Development Commission and the Select Water Committee met in Casper to discuss over 40 funding requests from municipalities across the state.
Saratoga officials asked the Commission for $4.316 million to construct a new water storage tank. However, the town’s request was not recommended for approval by Wyoming Water Development Office Director Jason Mead.
Director Mead explained that Saratoga has sufficient water storage for its population and a new tank is unnecessary. Additionally, Mead said with proper maintenance, the existing water tower should last for another decade or more.
Public Works Director Penner pleaded the town’s case to the Water Development Commission. Penner said the old water tower is nearing the end of its lifespan. A new storage tank is part of Penner’s plan to ensure that Saratoga residents continue to have access to clean drinking water.
Penner said a new water storage tank will allow the town to focus on other infrastructure projects.
The Wyoming Water Development Commission voted not to fund Saratoga’s water tank project.
