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Council reviews potential co-sponsorship of WWDC Level 2 study on Alliance Lateral ditch and raw-water conveyance
Summary
Utilities staff explained a proposed study (cosponsored via Resolution 11-25) to evaluate conveying raw water to northwest Sheridan users using the city's 30-inch raw-water transmission line and to assess rehabilitation needs of the Alliance Lateral Ditch; study sponsorship by the conservation district with city cosponsorship was proposed.
Utilities Director Dan Roberts briefed the City Council on a proposed WWDC (Wyoming Water Development Commission) Level 2 study examining raw-water conveyance in northwest Sheridan and asked the council to consider cosponsoring the conservation district's application via Resolution 11-25.
Roberts said the study would evaluate whether raw water from the Alliance Lateral Ditch and Big Goose Creek drainage can be better conveyed to irrigators and local parks without using treated potable water. He described the Alliance Lateral as an open-channel irrigation conveyance that suffers sediment intrusion and maintenance needs and said several northwest-area users and organizations approached city staff about alternatives to using treated water for irrigation.
Roberts noted the city's 30-inch raw-water transmission line has substantial excess capacity: he said the line is sized at about 30 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity while Sheridan's typical summer peak use is roughly 10 MGD and the water-treatment plant maximum is just under 15 MGD. Roberts said that excess capacity raises the possibility of transmitting raw water to some northwest users, which could reduce treated-water irrigation, improve water quality by reducing sediment entering the downstream drainage, and increase hydropower throughput.
Roberts said the Conservation District has agreed to sponsor the WWDC Level 2 application and that the WWDC asked to see a cosponsor that will directly benefit from the study; the city's co-sponsorship would not commit the city to construction or funding beyond participation in the study application. He cited an existing example in which the Donnia Subdivision receives raw water conveyed through the city's line under a metered, conveyance-charge arrangement.
Council members asked whether the study is separate from the Hume Draw project (Roberts said it is separate but could complement Hume Draw efforts by reducing sediment load and improving drainage outcomes if raw-water conveyance replaces open-channel irrigation in parts of the drainage). Roberts said the study could lead to a later Level 3 project application if analyses identify implementable projects.
No formal vote was taken during the study session; staff said they will place a co-sponsorship resolution on a forthcoming council agenda for action.
