Alex Jensen, city manager, said the secondary water issue is the toughest challenge he's faced in city government.
He outlined some of the pros and cons of a secondary water system to the City Council.Advantages:
- Could stabilize water rates.
- Could possibly reduce the future need for some capital improvement projects in the city since less culinary water would be needed.
- Heavy water users would benefit from lower costs.
- Could reduce city costs for pumping water from wells.
- Would keep water rights committed the city and lengthen and preserve the city's drinking water supply.
Disadvantages:
- Most residents will pay more for secondary water than for culinary water, at least for the near future. Exact cost depends on individual use and lot size.
- Residents would also face initial hookup costs, in addition to monthly user fees.
- Those who hook onto the system in future years would be required to pay substantially higher hookup fees.
- Water line installation would necessitate tearing up city streets.
- In order to secure a state loan for construction, the canal company will have to have mandatory hookup required for at least 95 percent of all residents.