A proposed $1.7 million in sewer and water systems work was discussed during Monday night’s Powell City Council meeting.

The planned work on the sewer system involves lining 33 blocks of sewer pipe to reduce plugging, infiltration, exfiltration and potential pipe failure. Water system work involves replacing four control valves, two pumps and controllers, the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System, a generator and ancillary work.

The water system work will improve the safety and reliability of the system, the council was told. A public hearing was held with one resident asking questions.

Sandy Thiel, who said she lived in a “really old part of town” on East Third Street, asked why the area that will be worked on was selected. She asked if there was any work planned on her block, since she has been told her sewer line is aging and in need of replacement.

Public Works Director Gary Butts noted that this is a sewer-lining project, and no additional sewer lines are being put in. There will be no digging, Butts said.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent Bill Winters said the lines were set up on a priority list as the ones that “give us the most common problems.” The worst sewer line will be fixed first, Winters said.

“Eventually, we’ll get the whole town done,” he said. “But this is just a start.”

The city will use funds from the Wyoming Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments. Based on current estimates, the city will seek grants and loans up to $1,782,000 from the Wyoming Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund.

The city is seeking a state loan, with a 50-percent forgiveness rate, as well as state grant dollars that would cover 75 percent of the cost of the water lines and 50 percent of the sewer cost. It will learn by late June if those applications have been approved.

If the loans and grants do not come through, the maximum consumer increase would be $2.38 per month per user to repay a loan amount of up to $1,286,000 over 20 years at 2.5 percent interest. City Administrator Zane Logan said a likely cost to the city is $650,000 with some of the loan and grant money being obtained.

Any rate increases would come before the council prior to approval, Logan said.

An environmental review process will begin immediately, with construction set for this fall. It would take about nine months to complete, according to Travis Conklin of Engineering Associates, who was at the meeting.

A preliminary plan of improvements and estimates can be reviewed at Engineering Associates office at 130 N. Bent St. Call Robert Croft at 754-2738 with any questions or comments.