Accomplishments 2010

City of Oregon Water Department employees testing of our four City wells indicated that major maintenance was not necessary this year. There will be a serious considered this year because each well should have a complete rebuild every six years.

The plan for the water main North of Oregon was abandoned because there was no advantage coordinating the project with the IDOT construction.  Should it become necessary to provide water North of the City, it will be a separate project with targeted funding.

The wastewater main North of Oregon was completed in cooperation with the IDOT Route 2 North project, and is installed on State right-of-way.  Sewer service will now be connected to the businesses North of the City.  The $280,000 project will provide wastewater service North of the City when it is needed, and this includes the proposed DOC boat dock across from Stronghold.

Installation of radio read meters continued and there are now 800 meters installed, with 800 more to be installed.  The new meter can be read without entering the property and also has the capability to indicate wasteful leaks. 

The sewer plant upgrade is 2/3rds.complete, with a finish date of early May 2011.  This project will provide the City with a new wastewater plant, doubling the previous capacity, and it addresses combined overflows into the Rock River and sludge disposal.   This 5.6 million dollar project is being paid for with ARRA, USEPA grants, existing City Capitol Improvement Funds and an EPA Loan.

MDES management has provided the City with a budget and bookkeeping system that monitors department expenditures.  The City Water and Wastewater department for the first time has an income profit and loss statement that accurately depicts operations. 

The department has completed the GIS mapping of the City of Oregon water and wastewater line system.  This information is now available to employees when working in the field.  This software will be continually updated to keep it current.

The City Water and Wastewater Department has purchased a used dump truck from the City Street Department replacing a dilapidated vehicle.  This truck has plow attachments and will be available for loan should the Street Departments have a breakdown during snow plowing.

In the year 2010 considerable maintenance has been performed on our wastewater mains with root cutting and a thorough cleaning of many troublesome lines.   Much of this work has been neglected for years and it is now a priority to properly maintain our system.