Commission approves feasibility study to explore KWA water connection

The commission approved a Roe engineering feasibility study to evaluate whether Lapeer can connect to KWA (as transcribed) for water service, for a fee not to exceed $44,300. City manager and staff said the study would evaluate engineering feasibility for a connection that may be several miles, possible construction costs and the timeframe to recoup any investment through lower rates.City Manager Womack and staff said a grant of about $73,000 (project code referenced by staff) would cover the study, and commissioners noted this is a preliminary engineering step rather than a commitment to construct a connection. Questions from commissioners focused on whether the city could pay for a multi-million-dollar physical connection and how long payback might take; staff said the feasibility study would include cost and return estimates. The motion passed by roll call.