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Kewanee council hears water-system study that flags deferred-maintenance, suggests rate increases
Summary
Consultants told the Kewanee City Council Jan. 27 that decades of deferred maintenance on wells, mains and treatment facilities require upgrades and offered financing options that include raising water rates; the presentation was informational and no rate change was voted on.
Kewanee City Council members heard a water-system planning and rate study from consultants representing CMT and Raftelis at their Jan. 27 meeting. The consultants said long-term deferred maintenance on wells, mains and the water and wastewater treatment plant requires capital investment and offered options for paying for those improvements, including potential increases to water rates.
Representatives from CMT and Raftelis told the council that "the can has been kicked down the road repeatedly," and that the city is now at a point where repairs and upgrades are necessary for current and future stability. The presentation outlined recommended infrastructure work — new wells, main upgrades and treatment-plant enhancements — and modeled revenue options to fund the work.
City staff did not present a draft ordinance or take a vote at the meeting; the item was presented as a planning-level study and financing options overview. No council motion to change rates or approve a financing plan was recorded in the minutes. The council may request follow-up materials and specific rate proposals at a subsequent meeting.
