Opinion

Water questions

Thursday, October 4, 2001

Dear Editor,

I read with much interest the article in tonight's Gazette (Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001) "McCook water rates still lower than others." May I respond to the "surveyor" -- you failed to bring out some important factors in your survey:

1. The size of the smaller towns you surveyed vs. the size of McCook affords McCook the luxury of having the consumer base to raise revenue to effectively run the water system, while much of the cost is the same no matter the size of the town.

2. How recently has each town done a water improvement project, and how much was done with borrowed money?

The city of Indianola completed its latest water improvement project just over one year ago. All 4-inch mains (constructed in 1922, flowing two inches in 1999) were replaced. Some totally new lines were constructed. Shutoff valves were installed as requested by Nebraska Health and Human Services, so water main breaks can be isolated to the area during repair, rather than draining the whole water tower. Twenty-five new fire hydrants were installed, giving us better fire protection, plus improving our Insurance Service Office rating. A new pressure control valve was installed at the water tower, so the tower can be filled to capacity during the summer months. Water meters were installed on all consumer lines and we already see the conservation of water (No more water running down the street). This was all made possible with a $458,000 grant and a $505,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

I noted the towns surveyed and wondered why Trenton was omitted. For the "surveyor's" information, on the map, Trenton, is the town that sits directly between Culbertson and Stratton, who you surveyed. Trenton did a water improvement project approximately a year before Indianola, and their rates include the same base rate, but water usage rates are 10 cents per thousand gallons more than Indianola. USDA sets the rates for both towns, based on past history information. Their calculations were made so enough money would be generated to pay the payments on the loan(s). (Indianola is still paying on a loan for its water tower, also), pay other costs (maintenance, water testing, etc.), plus build a water reserve.

Indianola has no nitrate problems, with both wells just recently tested. State test results showed Well No. 1 at .26/100 ml and Well No. 2 at 3.1/100 ml., well below the allowed 10/100 ml. We also have no lead or copper problems. If I read the papers correctly, McCook has yet to solve all of these problems. When you finally find those solutions, please tell us again what your water rate is, or will be.

I have lived in Indianola since 1958, I have no desire to live anywhere else, and still consider it "The Best Little City Out West."

Ona F. Malleck

Indianola

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