Water input meeting tonight

Residents of McCook and members of the McCook Water Advisory Committee will be given an opportunity to help the City Council make a decision on where to place a new water field for the city, should the city council decide on that plan of action.

In an ongoing effort to address the continuing problems faced by the city, the water advisory committee and residents attending a water advisory meeting will be given a report tonight on six locations where Olsson Associates have conducted tests on existing wells. Olsson Associates is the engineering firm hired by the city to help determine the solution to the water problems. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., at Heritage Senior Center.

City Manager John Bingham explained that this is only one step in finding a solution for the situation faced by the city of McCook.

"In making its final decision, the City Council will be looking at both a new water well field and water treatment options. No decision has been made on the best avenue for the city to take," he said.

The presentation by the engineering firm will include a formal presentation in which representatives of the firm will explain the test results found during a six week testing period. Olsson officials will present the six wells they feel would best meet the city's needs.

Following the presentation and a question and answer period, a five-minute recess will take place during which time the chairs will be removed and information stations will be set up. These stations will allow for a closer review of the water sample data taken at the various locations.

During the five-minute recess, ballots will be distributed to those in attendance. Members of the advisory committee will be given one color of ballot and residents who are customers of the McCook Municipal Water System will receive a ballot of another color. Those in attendance who are not members of the Water Advisory Committee or customers of the water system will not be allowed to vote.

"Now's the chance for residents to listen to the information and help make a decision relating to the city's water problems," said City Manager John Bingham.

The purpose of the ballot is to enable the two groups to recommend, to the McCook City Council, three sites where they would like to see test holes drilled.

The City Council is expected to select three sites for further study at its Aug. 5 meeting.

Another Water Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27 and a public information meeting will be conducted Sept. 3.

On Oct. 7, the Council will receive information from Olssons on an alternate water source and there will be a City Council Study Session on Oct. 14 to discuss the findings. The Council will also disband the Water Advisory Committee at its Oct. 14 meeting.

On Oct. 21, the council will select a preferred water source based on the drilling tests done by Olsson Associates.

The final decision on how to improve McCook's water system is expected to come at the regular meeting of the McCook City Council on Nov. 4.