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SOUTH WHITLEY - On one hand, Jerry Williams had good news about the downtown revitalization project, despite the bittersweet conditions during actual construction; on the other hand, the town must address what amounts to an emergency water supply situation.
Only one well is working. There were two working wells until recently, both within 50 feet of the Eel River. The "spare" has been contaminated with river water. A backup well exists and four others are capped.
"The odds of the well shutting down are too high," Williams, a Gove Associates engineer, said Wednesday during a special town council meeting. "Then there will be no water for the town."
His views were confirmed by utility manager Dennis Eberhart, who presented a wish list with a $1.19 million price tag "just to get the system up to reasonable standards," in addition to installing two new wells north of the railroad tracks.
Williams poured on the fact that the 70-year-old water tower downtown has reached the end of its life expectancy. Another 300,000-gallon tower stands on the east side.
Recommendations include a new 150,000-gallon water tower with booster system on the south side of town to increase the already poor water pressure to residents there; add another "feed line" across the river to service southside residents; and add 50 new hydrants, 75 new water valves and a telemetry system.
He gave prices of $954,000 for equipment, $171,000 for consultants and $45,000 for grant administration, leaving the town to make up for the $700,000 difference in the $1.19 million total.
The town has $168,000 available in Build Indiana funds and could apply for a $450,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Commerce.
He figured water rate increases of $4.88 to $5.05 per month would float a 10- to 15-year bond note.
However, he added, "I'm an engineer, not an accountant." Customers pay $4.88 per month for 2,000 gallons of water.
The flood of information didn't stop at just a couple of new wells and tower, though. The century-old water system will probably have to be completely replaced.
The earliest the wells could be constructed is early 2005.
In the meantime, more homes are projected for the Smith and Spears subdivisions as well as in Eberly's Mobile home court, all south of the river near Ind. 14.
Council members Judy Earnhart and Tom Rudd took the information under advisement.
