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Engineers flag aging wells, exposed mains and a $6.2 million priority project for Linton water system
Summary
The second PER presented to the Linton hearing recommends a priority package (new well, transmission-line protection) estimated at about $6.2 million, highlights a weakened Well 11 at about 57% capacity, exposed transmission mains at Buck Creek and a backlog of nonfunctioning hydrants and valves the city should inventory and address over a 20-year plan.
Commonwealth Engineering presented a systemwide preliminary engineering report that evaluates Linton’s wells, treatment, storage and distribution network and proposes a prioritized 20-year plan.
The report lists four raw-water production wells (two typically in service), a 2.5 million-gallon-per-day treatment plant, two elevated storage tanks (approximately 500,000 and 1,000,000 gallons), and roughly 438,000 linear feet of distribution mains. Drew said the utility serves about 2,700 residential customers, approximately 184 commercial and about 54 industrial customers, plus four wholesale customers that together account for a larger combined annual volume than the city’s residential customers.
Drew identified Well 11 as in poorer condition and currently pumping about 57% of its capacity; the PER recommends retiring that leased well and drilling a replacement on city-owned land.
The PER also highlights exposed transmission mains—one running in a ditch near Buck Creek and another near the wastewater plant—and a tree risk over a transmission line that could cause failure. Drew recommended providing additional cover or relocating exposed crossings so the city can maintain and protect the mains.
Asset-condition issues include a significant number of older hydrants and many nonfunctional valves. The engineering team estimated roughly 30 hydrants may be out of service and recommended a hydrant and valve inventory tied to an asset-management plan so crews can isolate breaks and reduce outage size.
For immediate priorities, the PER groups certain transmission-line cover fixes and a new well replacement as the priority 1 package, with an estimated cost of about $6,200,000. Drew said the SRF timeline and steps for this package mirror the lead PER: design and permitting to be completed in advance of SRF close, bidding in early 2027 and a potential completion for the priority package in April 2028 if funded and expedited.
Vern, a meeting participant, said Commonwealth Engineering has been a strong partner and urged the council to pursue available federal grant opportunities, noting the water system serves a wider community of about 13,000 people in the surrounding area.
The report also identifies longer-term "phase 2" work: replacing undersized mains (those smaller than modern 3-inch code), looping dead-end lines to improve water quality and targeted hot-spot replacements where repeated breaks occur. The PER frames those items as funding-dependent projects to be carried out over a 20-year planning horizon.
The hearing closed with a motion to adjourn; no construction contracts or binding appropriations were approved at the meeting.
