Libby faces millions in cost in water system dilemma
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
March 7, 2012
Libby is not alone when it comes to a crumbling drinking water system. It is a national epidemic.
"Because pipe assets last a long time, water systems that were built in the later part of the 19th century and throughout much of the 20th century have, for the most part, never experienced the need for pipe replacement on a large scale," says a report about the drinking water systems from the American Water Works Association.
As with most infrastructure investments, spending heavily today means less costs down the road tomorrow and that is the exact situation facing the Libby City Council as it considers construction of an $8 million dollar Flower Creek replacement dam, a $2.2 million dollar replacement of the main raw water transmission line from the dam to the treatment plant, and $1.7 million fixing leaks in the distribution piping that accounts for a loss of 75% of the treated water from the treatment plant, including five pressure valves.
The weakest link in the equation is the asbestos concrete main raw water supply line from the dam to the treatment plant. It has exceeded its design life by twice and is now 60-years old.
"Overlooking or postponing infrastructure renewal investments in the near term will only add to the scale of the challenge," says the report. "It increases the odds of facing higher costs with water main breaks and other infrastructure failures."
The City may not have a choice. The funding from UDSA for construction of the dam may hinge on the City's decision to correct the deficiencies in the distribution system. If the distribution system is not part of the project, USDA may not be willing to loan as much for the dam only, increasing the funding gap to be absorbed by water rate payers.
The bottom line is the City can build just the dam with less funding made available, or build the dam and replace the distribution system for the same amount of money due to higher funding participation from the funding sources, if the City commits to doing both projects.
Even given that there is thinking on the Council not to build the complete project and build only the new dam, there is a reluctance of the Council to saddle the community with $12 to $15 million in debt for 40 years to build the complete project.
Regardless the rate, payers are part of the equation, and water rates will increase.
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By Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
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