HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.e. Rural Water Update• .j i
�ZI 2875 -145TH ST. W.
ROSEMOUN. MINNESOTA 55068
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612--423-4411
TO: Mayor Knutson
Councilmembers: Napper
Tucker
Walsh
Willard
FROM: Stephan Jilk, Administrator/Clerk
DATE: July 2, 1987
RE: Rural Water System - East Rosemount Area
Gentlemen:
On Wednesday, June 30, 1987, Vern Napper, Dean Johnson, Rich Hefti, Lee
Knutson and ` I met with Dr. Faye Thompson of the University of ;Minnesota
and representatives of Delta Environmental Consultants, the University's
ongoing environmental consultant, and De Wild, Grant, Richest &
Associates, a rural water engineering firm, to discuss several aspects
of a rural water system for the contaminated area of Rosemount.
These aspects were: system ownership
system operation
system expansion capabilities
residential volume constraints
inclusion of City of Coates in system.
Also discussed was the location of a new water supply system if a` new
source is deemed necessary.
I"will provide additional 'comments: on Tuesday evening when we discuss'
this, but there are two important issues the City of Rosemount must
address in the very near future.' They are: (1) Is the city willing to
take over ownership of the system at construction completion; and (2)
Will the city operate and maintain the system once it is completed.`
To provide answers to these questions we must address issues such as
liability, operating costs, billing procedures and maintenance (training
and ongoing). A rural water system is different, in some ways, from a
municipal system; but many aspects such as flushing, chemical treatment
and mechanical equipment are the same. Taking over a system for some 28
homes initially and for as many as 200 plus eventually really would not
be much different than adding a separate new development in other parts
of the city. Some variation would be that separate accounting records
would need to be maintained so proper billing, expense and budget
control could be maintained.
In the next couple of days, staff will review this idea; and at the
Council meeting we should be prepared to make a recommendation to you.
At the meeting, the City should at least give a preliminary indication
as to whether or not we would consider owning and operating the system
once it is constructed in order to give direction to the project.
Rural Water System •
July 2, 1987
Page 2
There are and will be many questions to answer prior to our actually
taking over such a system if we do choose to do so.
The University seems to be in position of showing the commitment to
build the system but wants no part in owning it and operating it.
Initially I feel the City could do so without a lot of difficulty or
problems, but we need to proceed cautiously and understand each step
along the way.
Our obligation may be to help the citizens with contaminated wells, but
we must do everything to insure that the University fulfills its total
obligation in this matter.
Again, staff will be prepared to discuss this at the meeting.
smj