By Allen Dinkel
Junction City manager
From a weather standpoint the weather has been a challenge for many. Schools were closed or had to start late, and high school sporting events were postponed to a later date. City public works staff worked long hours in “not so good” conditions and faced many challenges. Since the City does not have enough shed space at the Public Works yards, the trucks have to be outside and even though they were “plugged” in, there were problems. Long term we need more inside space that is heated, but right now it is an issue. This issue was not just here, but others had the same problem. The extreme cold caused problem with the fuel and gelling in the diesel engines. Precautions were taken, but there were issues we had to deal with. Our crews got behind on trash pickup because all the trucks would not start. Other trash services in the area had the same issues. My friends with livestock had to deal with this weather to keep their animals fed and watered and doing any task was complicated due to the elements. Hopefully, the coldest days of winter are behind us.
Meanwhile down the road in Topeka, they dealt with a “Boil Water Advisory ” as the extreme cold temperatures caused a crack in the PVC gas pipe on the city’s Chlorine system. This failure caused chlorine residual levels at the water plant to drop below the minimum standards. To solve the problem, water had to move through the system to allow chlorine to be added to increase the residual level. The City requested customers to run water to clear the system. Naturally, there were some who asked for reimbursement. The City denied that request as they said it would take about 40 gallons per customer and that would only cost about 25 cents. Yes, I got the calculator out to determine how much that amount of water would cost in Junction City. Even though we hear that our rates our higher than any other City, I found out that the cost here would have been 18 cents. I know that is only a small amount of water, but that difference remains the same for monthly usage.
Speaking of rates, we can look at the City of Emporia. Like us they are dealing with needed upgrades at their wastewater plant. Unlike here where our water rates were analyzed and adjusted to cover these expenses, they have not adjusted rates. The downside is they have eaten up cash carryover and are moving into a “tight” financial position. I understand no one want a rate increase, but there is costs to do the needed work. What makes it more difficult here is that Junction City has 2 plants and capital costs are higher issue here.
Then in Caney, a city with a population of about 1,800 people in Southeast Kansas, efforts are being made to extend a waterline to the City of Coffeyville. Caney has been struggling with the lack of water and are willing to spend $8 Million to have the ability to pull water from the other City. The big issue is that the City of Caney probably only has about 800 water meters. That would be like spending $110,000 Million here.
As you know the City of Junction City is currently in Phase 2 of Water upgrades which should be completed later this year. At the same time, we are in the early stages of the second phase of the wastewater plants improvements. It will probably be 2 more years on that project. The improvements are being made simply because it is time to upgrade the plants. Just like your home, improvements have to be made at times. In addition, updates are being made to meet State and Federal requirements for these facilities. Not a cheap project but the investment being made today will serve the community well for the next 25 to 30 years.
Also, during the last 2 years over $3 Million has been spent in water system upgrades in the older part of the City and more is planned for this year. On the sewer side, plans are being made for improvements in the collection system in 2024.
You could argue that these projects should have been done over the years, but as in all cities we seem to not address since there always is an effort to push off into the future. Unfortunately, it has to be addressed at some time.
As they say, “Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later”. The problem is later, usually costs more.