The aging Mancos water system is getting a financial boost from regional agencies, and it may receive more money from the state.
The town is looking to improve its raw water system, replace a major valve that reduces pressure, and install new water-distribution lines on the south side of town.
The entire project is estimated to be about $530,600, said Town Clerk and Treasurer Heather Alvarez.
So far, the Southwest Water Conservation District has granted the project $75,000, and the Southwest Basin Roundtable has agreed to pitch about $81,800. The town currently has an application pending with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for about $265,000.
If the town receives the state grant, it have to cover about $108,324 of the project.
The town would like to finish design work for the project this year and be ready to start construction in 2017, said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips
The lines the town is looking to replace are at the end of their useful life, and replacing them should help cut down on the need for repairs.
“Hopefully, there would be less disruption of service,” Phillips said.
Improving the raw water system should also help stop the spills at the raw water inlet, she said.
In addition, the valve responsible for taking water pressure down from 120 pounds per square inch to 55 pounds per square inch will be replaced with three valves to create greater redundancy in the system, said Public Works Director Robin Schmittel.
The town completed two major water infrastructure projects last year. It installed a new $1.1 water storage tank, replaced all the town’s water meters and rebuilt 100 water meter pits. The pits are plastic cylinders that protect the water meters in the ground.
In 2014, the town adopted a four-year plan to increase water rates in order to pay for water infrastructure improvements. The February bill from the town of Mancos will reflect a $2.50 increase.
mshinn@durangoherald.com