City of Oregon Water and Wastewater Update

September 28, 2006

Lane and Western has completed the work on Well #2 and it is in operation and now being tested before going on line within the week.  This was the last of our four wells to be completely rebuilt and now all of the City wells are in the best possible condition.  This has been a Commissioner passion for the Water department to complete this program within the last four years, and the Department is proud of the accomplishment. 

Well #2 was pumping 384 gpm at 60 psi before the rebuild and now is operating at 530 gpm at 60 psi.  The well pump was upgraded with stainless steel shafts and couplings with a bronze bowl and stainless steel impellers.  Last year when we experienced some problems during well maintenance the City of Oregon was provided all of it’s water from well #2 during the drought of the summer of 2005.  I am convinced that our system is not only adequate but one of the finest in Northern Illinois. 

The new automated water meters will start to be installed this winter.  This will be a long-term commitment and all new and replacement water meters will be installed with the automatic read monitoring system.  New homes will have the new meters and hard to access meters will be upgraded first.  The plan is to install the system to all City meters as Water Department funds permit.  Starting in November training will begin for EMC employees and the City computer system will be upgraded to use the system. 

Preliminary agreements have been reached with Settler’s Ridge Subdivision and annexation should happen within the next two City Council Meetings.  The City will be making an investment in the planned system for the subdivision to be sure that infrastructure will be adequate for future expansion far beyond the now planned concept.  The City participation will be only for larger water and sewer lines then would be normally acceptable for the planned development.

Negotiations continue with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs with the hope of securing funding for a forced wastewater line from E. D. Etnyre and Co. to the planned Settler’s Ridge development.  The starting lift point of the forced wastewater line would be the drainage access point for all property South East of the City of Oregon.