Allen Dinkel, City Manager
Each week I hear and read of various comments and questions regarding the City and the way in which it operates. Naturally there are varying opinions and points of view. While I do respect that, the “real” answer may not be even close to some preconceived notions. Last week I wrote about the City Water service, so this week we will start there and see where we go.
This past week there were reports of “Dirty“ water. I even had a container of this water brought to the office for me to see. The water distribution system in Junction City is a mixture ranging from the older pipelines made of metal in the center portion of the City, to the new newer Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pressure pipe in the newest subdivisions. The older pipes and valves have been in the ground for a long time, and this is where the majority of the issues occur. During the last couple of years over $1.2 million per year has been spent on replacement of the older pipes and or valves in that portion of the City. This includes the pipelines that “break” often and then crews have to make repairs and water service is interrupted. These are the lines that are the oldest and simply it is time to address those problems. Another issue in that area is the mapping of the pipes in the area are not what they are in newer portions and upgrades are needed. I was out with the City Public Works crews last summer one evening and it was quick to see we have a “maze” in the system and there are spots with multiple valves and a lot of “guessing” is needed to figure out what goes where.
Last year a new underground water storage structure was built near the Spruce Street tower as part the Phase II Water Improvements. This tank replaced a very old structure. This spring the other older storage tank will be removed and replaced. In preparation, updates of the valves are being made along with some of the underground pipe. Unfortunately, this can cause issues with the “dirty” water as everything is being “stirred” up. When this occurs, City crews will address, and the lines are flushed, and they work to clean-up the problem. Each improvement yields a favorable result, but there are “pains” along the way.
Like every City I have ever worked in, the underground lines for water and sanitary sewer are often “Forgotten” until there are issues. Everyone has the desire to not increase rates and often improvements are not made until it is in essence “to late”. In the past 5 years Phase I and now Phase II improvements have been made at the Water Plant and in the storage structures at Spruce. The price tag on these improvements together is more than $25 million. That does not include the amount that has been spent on distribution lines improvements I mentioned above.
Last week, I wrote about the so-called “water” bill. Yes it includes water, but also has charges for sanitary sewer, storm water, and trash. The other day, I made a comment that the water rates in Junction City were cheaper than what customers of Geary Rural Water District #1 pay as the District purchases water from the City and then they have the costs of maters, testing, and distribution to pay as well. This person, who had both a City and a Water District bill, argued I was wrong. However, had did not include all the City services which are included.
Another comment I saw was on sewer charges and how they are calculated. Like most cites, residential sewer rates are based on the amount of water used for 3 winter months where water is basically used indoors and there is no watering of plants and grass. So, each April the amount for each residence is calculated and stays the same for the next 12 months. For those who are “new” residential customers, they are charged the “City” average until a water usage history is known. As I wrote last week, a good rule of thumb water usage is 50 gallons per person at this time of the year.