Seligman water study recommends overhaul water main repairs
Proposed plan to cost $2.5M if action is taken
May 18, 2016
Charlea Estes
The city of Seligman received the results of a water study done by Olsson and Associates at their May council meeting. Seligman City Clerk Brian Nichols said, “Based on the study, Olsson recommended, and DNR (Department of Natural Resources) agrees, we need to start replacing the back bone of our system starting at City Hall to Farm Road 1070.”
The water study was paid for with a 100 percent grant by DNR.
The proposed plan would cost $2.5 million, and the city would have to make plans regarding how that would be paid for. One option would be to ask for voter approval of a bond issue to pay for it. Of the $2.5 million, $500,000 in grant funding is available.
Another option would be to systematically raise water rates over the course of several years to generate enough funds to pay for the project. Currently, Seligman has one of the lowest water rates of a municipality in Barry County with their base charges $28.50 for 2,000 gallons of water and sewer service. Each additional 1,000 gallons is $2.25 for water only.
Nichols said water bills would systematically be raised approximately $10-15 per month each year to be eligible for the project.
Nichols said, “The proposal includes adding a water stand pipe or tower that would hold an additional 200,000 gallons on the north side near the car wash, as well.”
He added, “Council hasn’t taken action on it yet, but the sewer pipes are the original galvanized pipes from the 50’s, so eventually something will need to be done, but we’re looking at all of our options, and the first step of that is getting the water study.”
There is no proposed date for when Seligman City Council will make a decision on the recommendation made by Olsson.
Charlea Estes
The city of Seligman received the results of a water study done by Olsson and Associates at their May council meeting. Seligman City Clerk Brian Nichols said, “Based on the study, Olsson recommended, and DNR (Department of Natural Resources) agrees, we need to start replacing the back bone of our system starting at City Hall to Farm Road 1070.”
The water study was paid for with a 100 percent grant by DNR.
The proposed plan would cost $2.5 million, and the city would have to make plans regarding how that would be paid for. One option would be to ask for voter approval of a bond issue to pay for it. Of the $2.5 million, $500,000 in grant funding is available.
Another option would be to systematically raise water rates over the course of several years to generate enough funds to pay for the project. Currently, Seligman has one of the lowest water rates of a municipality in Barry County with their base charges $28.50 for 2,000 gallons of water and sewer service. Each additional 1,000 gallons is $2.25 for water only.
Nichols said water bills would systematically be raised approximately $10-15 per month each year to be eligible for the project.
Nichols said, “The proposal includes adding a water stand pipe or tower that would hold an additional 200,000 gallons on the north side near the car wash, as well.”
He added, “Council hasn’t taken action on it yet, but the sewer pipes are the original galvanized pipes from the 50’s, so eventually something will need to be done, but we’re looking at all of our options, and the first step of that is getting the water study.”
There is no proposed date for when Seligman City Council will make a decision on the recommendation made by Olsson.