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Engineer lays out options and funding for rural water extension; estimated costs vary widely
Summary
County Engineer presented routing options, pressure constraints and funding scenarios for a proposed water-line extension serving clusters of residents, with early cost estimates ranging from about $700,000 for a segment to $1.5–$1.8 million for a larger loop and potential USDA/CDBG support.
County Engineer Jacob Ferrell presented plans and financing scenarios for a proposed rural water extension intended to serve several groups of residents who lack reliable well water.
Ferrell showed route options and explained system constraints: existing low-pressure dead ends, the need for an 8-inch line in some segments, and potential tie-ins to larger systems to access higher-pressure zones. He said the rough estimated construction cost for a short segment is "about 700 to $750,000," and for a larger loop the estimate is "1.5 to 1.8" million dollars, both preliminary and subject to design-stage refinement.
Funding options discussed included USDA participation, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding (Ferrell said up to $500,000 could help offset costs), and use of local LMI-designated funds if residents qualify; a $3,000 hookup fee was mentioned as a likely facility fee and could be reinvested into initial mains. Ferrell said a final project cost requires completed design, public bidding and regulatory reviews (DNR) and that realistic service timelines would likely push construction into 2027.
Board members asked about cost-sharing and the number of potential hookups; one supervisor said the board could consider contributing 10–20% of costs from LMI funds to reduce per-user charges. Ferrell recommended returning with a firm design and cost estimate so USDA and CDBG applications could proceed.
