Water commission eyes bonding for South Water Tower rehab, readies May 2 lead-service-line application

The Water and Lake Commission heard staff briefings on April 2 about plans to pursue bonding for a South Water Tower rehabilitation and on an upcoming May 2 application for lead service-line funding.

Steve Emry told the commission that KLM Engineering last inspected the tower in 2023 and estimated that a full recoating and related work would be needed in roughly three to five years; staff have asked KLM to update its 2023 estimate so the city can seek appropriate bonding dollars. Emry said the updated figures will be used in a bonding request and to plan a likely 2027 project window.

Emry also said the city is preparing a revised PPL application for lead service-line replacement funding. "We got till May 2nd, so we'll get that done," he said, adding that an earlier submission had been returned without funding and that staff are revising the package to address the Department of Health's comments.

Commission staff said they have discussed bonding options with state lawmakers; staff reported a recent Zoom meeting with Senator Johnson to explore bonding bill possibilities. No formal vote or funding authorization was taken at the meeting; commissioners received the updates and directed staff to continue refining cost estimates and the grant application.

Why it matters: a bonded rehabilitation will address a long-term asset (the South Water Tower) and a successful PPL application could fund removal of lead service lines that pose health risks. The commission's next steps are to finalize updated cost estimates from KLM and pursue the May 2 grant submission and any necessary bonding authorization in the coming months.