Mount Vernon officials say fixing new subdivision's low water pressure could cost $1.5 90003 million

City Administrator Robert Harrington told the Mount Vernon Board of Aldermen on June 23 that the city has received multiple complaints about low water pressure in a new subdivision near 417 Athletics and that a municipal-scale remedy could be costly.

Harrington said the city's only system-wide solution would be to purchase a utility-scale pressure station, which he estimated would cost "anywhere from 1.5-3 million dollars" not including engineering and installation. He contrasted that with a homeowner-level option, saying a small residential pump is available for about "$500" and would provide comparable pressure for a single property.

The board did not vote on a procurement plan; the presentation was framed as an administrative briefing and cost estimate. Harrington said engineering and installation costs are additional and did not provide a procurement timetable or identified funding source. The minutes record the estimate but show no motion to pursue the purchase at this meeting.

Local officials and residents now face a choice between a high-capacity municipal investment that would affect the city budget and incremental individual fixes borne by homeowners. The minutes do not specify whether the city will pursue engineering studies or apply for grants. Harrington indicated the residential pump option as a lower-cost, immediate workaround for affected homes.

Next steps: No procurement action was recorded at the meeting; the city has not presented a funding plan or timeline to the board.