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Steger trustees hear $1.5 million plan to loop 6,000 feet of water main; larger system replacement costs estimated
Summary
The village’s ad hoc water committee outlined eight projects to loop about 6,000 feet of main at an estimated $1.5 million, reported Trustee Steve Thurmond — who also outlined broader system needs including 35 miles of pipe estimates and a $750,000 well tower renovation. A trustee disputed whether some engineering work was billed.
Trustee Steve Thurmond, chair of the ad hoc water committee, told the Board of Trustees on March 17 that the committee has met seven times over the past year and developed engineering layouts and cost estimates for targeted water improvements.
"We now have a comprehensive layout, including an aerial overview, loop locations, technical memo, and cost review for the identified eight projects," Thurmond said during his report. He said the projects would connect approximately 6,000 feet of water mains at an estimated cost of $1.5 million, work intended to create consistent flow throughout the system.
Thurmond also provided a wider assessment of the system’s needs: he reported 416 fire hydrants with about a dozen inoperable, and said the village has roughly 35 miles of main in moderate-to-poor condition. He offered an engineering estimate of roughly $1 million per mile — a figure he used to illustrate a broad $35 million reconstruction need — and said the board previously approved a $750,000 renovation of well tower No. 3 set to begin this spring.
Thurmond credited village engineer Clay Shipley for preparing drawings and documentation "free of charge to the Village," a point that became the subject of a follow-up exchange during the meeting. Trustee Tim Perchinski asked why the committee had an engineering bill listed for $4,883 if Shipley provided the work at no cost; Thurmond said he had been told on the phone that there was no charge and stated the committee had not authorized expenses he knew of.
The report stressed funding outreach: Thurmond said the committee is pursuing capital funds, EPA and state sources, and working with state Representative Anthoney DeLuca and Senator Pat Joyce to secure support. No specific funding awards or grant approvals were announced at the meeting.
The board did not take additional formal action on Thurmond’s report beyond discussion and clarifying questions during the meeting. Trustee Perchinski also referenced past minutes in which, he said, Thurmond voted against installing automatic flushers on May 3, 2021; Thurmond disputed that characterization during the exchange.
