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Manchester Water Works reviews feasibility study to raise Lake Massabeesik; consultant lists $3 million grant, larger contingency estimate
Summary
Board received a final feasibility report on raising Lake Massabeesik that lists $364,000 in initial physical work, a $3 million grant already identified and a consultant cost estimate with contingencies of about $4.2 million; staff said about 21–22 homeowners may need septic work and individual surveys are required.
The Manchester Water Works Board on Dec. 19 reviewed a final feasibility report on raising Lake Massabeesik aimed at increasing short-term storage and regional supply.
Board members and staff were shown a multi-page feasibility analysis that identified relatively modest physical work (raising flashboards and minor canal adjustments) with an opinion-of-cost for those items of about $364,000, but the consultant included larger contingencies that brought the total project estimate to roughly $4.2 million. Staff told the board a $3,000,000 grant has been identified to help pay for the project.
Why it matters: staff and the consultant said the change would store more seasonal water and provide operational benefits, including potential increased hydroelectric generation in spring and reduced day-to-day purchases. The project attracted state interest, which staff said may open additional funding opportunities for the southern region.
Board discussion and homeowner impacts: watershed staff said the feasibility work identified about 21–22 shoreline homes that could be affected by a raised lake level; those properties will need individual topographic and septic-system surveys to determine whether septic relocation or upgrades would be required. John (watershed) told the board he has spoken with each homeowner and that more precise impacts will be known in the next project phase.
Technical issues and next steps: operations staff reported ongoing elevated filter turbidity at the Meramec plant, possibly related to biofilm growth that shortens filter run intervals; staff said they are developing mitigation plans. For the lake project, staff said the next steps are to finalize property surveys, refine cost estimates and coordinate with state agencies. The board received the report for information and did not take final action on project authorization at the meeting.
Funding note: board members and staff emphasized the contingency-heavy nature of the consultant estimate and repeated that the $3 million grant would be used before the Water Works would need to contribute ratepayers’ funds. Staff also said they were examining under-spent grant funds from a prior 30-inch main project as a possible source for additional funding.
