A proposal to build a new water storage facility in Grovecreek Canyon got support from residents who attended a public hearing on the project during Tuesday's City Council meeting.
Mayor David Holdaway told approximately 50 people in attendance that growth rates in Pleasant Grove, water pressure problems in the northeast section of the city and projected future costs of water from other sources are reasons the council is investigating support for development of an additional water storage facility."This project is an investment in our future and would give us the capability of providing for our (water) needs well into the future," Holdaway said.
Residential development has been stifled because of a lack of a sufficient water supply in the city, said Lee Wimmer, city engineer. And, the northeast section of the city from Fifth North east to the city limits suffers water pressure problems during peak demand periods.
Holdaway said without developing additional supplies of water the city would probably have to buy water from the Central Utah Project. Cost of that water could run as high as $200-$300 per acre-foot, Holdaway said. He estimated the cost of water pumped and stored by the city at $20-$30 per acre-foot.
"I think we would be derelict in our duty and to the tradition of Pleasant Grove if we didn't go ahead with this system," said Lloyd Ash, council member.
Sam Walker, a resident of Pleasant Grove, told the council he supports the project and that "it seems like a really good investment to me on behalf of the citizens."
The cost of the proposed two-million-gallon underground storage facility and approximately 3,000 feet of connecting waterline has been estimated at $776,000. The city has received preliminary approval for a $166,000 loan for the project from the Safe Drinking Water Committee. Approximately $100,000 in city funds is available for the project. But the majority of the project's funding would come from a restructuring water fees that would result in an increase in charges for most water users.
The fee schedule proposed would retain a base rate of $6.20 for the first 8,000 gallons of water used, with a charge of 75 cents for every 1,000 gallons used over that amount. Currently, water users pay $6.20 for the first 10,000 gallons of water used, and 62 cents for every 1,000 gallons over that amount.
According to city calculations, average water usage is 22,500 gallons a month; under the proposed fee schedule, usage at that volume would increase water bills approximately $3.25 per month.
The council will vote on the project at its June 6 meeting. If the project is approved, the rate increases would become effective immediately. Construction would begin in September and the new storage facility would be on line by next summer.
Written comments regarding the project will be accepted by the city through May 26.