Salina has a source of drinking water with an adequate supply for years in the future, but city officials are facing problems of a deteriorating delivery system.
Waterlines that have been used for more than a half century are obsolete and in need of replacing, the City Council was told.The meeting also involved representatives of Sunrise Engineering in Fillmore, which contracted to complete a preliminary study of Salina's culinary water system.
Mayor Nyals Andreason said some of the city's waterlines are only 2 and 4 inches in diameter and there is a need for larger ones. Also, water pressure is inadequate in the business sector south of the city near I-70.
Study sessions are being planned by the City Council to consider proposals and preliminary costs that have been outlined by the engineering firm. Council members must also explore a source of revenue to pay for upgrading the culinary water system.
Mayor Nyals Andreason said public hearings will be conducted so that residents will be better informed about the problems and to give them a chance for input. He concluded that solving the water problems is "a number one priority."