City water and wastewater update

July 12, 2006

The water and sewer line extensions on Daysville Road are complete and we now have adequate water and sewer service at the South East corner of Daysville Road and Route 64 East.  The City expects the facilities to be used for development in the very near future.  The businesses along Frontage Road on 64 now have water service with adequate fireplugs for fire protection.

C&H Excavating and CMT did a wonderful job for the City of Oregon and the Eastside project was completed as planned without any serious problems.

In a meeting with Commonwealth Edison it was found that because of a deregulation agreement, the City water and sewer department could expect a 30% increase in the cost of electricity.  Our annual cost is $50,000 and it will now be $65,000.  With the planned wastewater upgrade, new pumps and motors will be installed decreasing our electricity expense by about half.  We will be looking into purchasing our electricity from different suppliers.

Lane and Western have tested the functioning of all our wells and everything is satisfactory.  Well #2 is now being disassemble for maintenance and repair and they are finding normal ware is going to require some costly replacement of parts.  It has been ten years since there was any service to this well and we are finding normal worn out shaft bearings and some broken bearing holders.  When the work is completed, all of our wells will have had major maintenance and future expenditure for repairs should be reduced.  We have a plan for annual function testing and after a two-year rest; one well each year will be disassembled for maintenance.  We do not want to experience another disastrous failure.

C&H Excavating will start installing a sewer line extension along Mix Street for the development of the Sobvoda properties, and the expense is being shared with the developer.  At this time we will also have the Contractor replace a damaged manhole at 7th and Jackson Street.  We recently have had a serious water leak and then two collapsed sewer mains at this location.  Water leaks that come in contact with our ancient brick constructed manholes cause failures. 

Improvements to the Dog Park are wood chips in the unleash areas provided by the Oregon Park District.  Future considerations will be benches, a possible shelter to get in out of the sun or rain, and also a new fenced area for small dogs.