Opinion: Water System Improvements: Where Do We Go From Here?

April 15, 2008 by Earnest Casstevens.

• The Line to Nowhere will be eliminated from the project.

• The 12’’ water source into the Endeavor Tract will be connected to Timberline, providing a major new flow to the eastern side of the system.

• The pressure analysis will be redone in consideration of the new 12’’ source of flow to the east side, identifying any areas of critically low system pressure.

• A prioritized schedule of individual facilities (i.e. individual fire hydrants, pressure values, pressure regulators, water mains), individually costed out, will be prepared, with fire protection receiving the highest priority, critically low pressure the next, and corroded or damaged lines the next.

• The position of each individual facility on the prioritized list should be justified based on its effectiveness to solve a high priority problem and its cost-effectiveness compared to other possible solutions.

• A $100,000 water system maintenance and replacement item will be included henceforth in the City’s annual budget and will be used in lieu of borrowing to the maximum extent possible to effectuate water system improvements.

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