(KLZA)-- A public hearing was held Monday night during the Falls City Council meeting concerning an engineering report for construction of a collector water well / and improvements at the water treatment plant at Rulo. The hearing is a requirement for the City to be eligible for a State Revolving Loan from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
It became apparent during the 2011 flood along the Missouri River that the well field, consisting of wells built between 1940 and 1972 were in danger and that threatens the water supply to a major portion of Richardson County. Rural Water District #2 which supplies water to Salem and Verdon and a large part of eastern Richardson County buys water from the water plant at Rulo as does the City of Rulo.
Utility Superintendent Alan Romine explained the three options to safeguard the water supply. These included raising the existing wells above flood stage, secondly drilling four new wells with a capacity larger than currently available and the selected option of installing a collector well and keeping three old wells as an emergency backup.
There are a lot of federal hoops to jump through with such a project. Romine said the City plans to create more clear well storage at the water plant and installation of more monitoring equipment.
The initial cost projection was $2.3-million but inflation has increased the expected cost to 2.5 to 2.8-million dollars.
A loan would include a 20-year payback with a 20-percent principal forgiveness. The hope is to get the project underway as soon as possible.
© Many Signals communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
LATEST STORIES
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Brown Co Sheriff's Office releases April stats
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Commission takes action related to bridge project
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
RELATED STORIES
City and County to discuss combined dispatch center
Waterfall project approved by Falls City Council
Falls City Council denies truck parking request
Falls City Council organizes for 2020
Falls City making progress on nuisance properties
Neighbors bring complaints to City Council
Falls City Council updated on park projects
Falls City utility rate increases gain first round approval