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Council hears urgent water‑system findings; staff seeks grants for pipeline repairs
Summary
Council members described major leaks in a deep pipeline sending raw water to the reservoir; staff proposed emergency grant requests (MRG/SLIP, CDBG) and a $750,000 MRG request was approved as a resolution to seek funding for repair and rehabilitation.
Council members returning from a water-tour told the Rawlins City Council they found two major pipeline leaks and significant deferred maintenance that threaten water delivery to the city reservoir.
Council members described the pipe as buried deep (one site cited as 20 feet) and said leaks have created large surface ponds. Club members and staff said the treatment plant presently has fewer filters online than designed and that, if the major leaks are not repaired, the city could face rationing next year. An engineer on the tour reviewed possible live-repair techniques such as a "stopple bypass" that would allow crews to cut into and bypass the damaged section without fully shutting the line.
City staff recommended pursuing multiple funding sources. The council approved a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) intent letter asking for $500,000 with a 10% local match for flood mitigation work that could be relevant, and voted to send a resolution requesting up to $750,000 from the Municipal Revenue Grant (MRG/SLIP) program for emergency water-collection system rehabilitation.
City staff cautioned that application details — including the source fund (water fund vs. general fund) — and deadlines required rapid action. Staff said SLIP/MRG program guidance suggested $500,000–$750,000 as a reasonable request; the council approved pursuing the higher end to improve the project's competitiveness. If awarded, staff said the city should expect to appear at SLIP/MRG hearings and urged council participation in those proceedings.
No construction contract was authorized at the meeting; staff must complete applications and return for appropriation or matching-fund authorization if grants are awarded.
