Public hearing held on proposed water project

MARION - A proposed $3.6 million water project that would include the addition of a new water tower and the rehabilitation of an existing water tank was discussed in a public hearing on Monday night by the Marion City Council.

As presented by engineer Brian Ziegler of Marion-based Clarida and Ziegler Engineering, the two-phase project depends largely on whether the city can pay for the project with help from a loan program administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The $3.6-million loan from the IEPA would have an estimated interest rate of 1.38 percent, but there is also "debt forgiveness," which is determined later by the IEPA, but could be as much as 50 percent off the top of the loan principle, Ziegler said.

Phase one of the project would involve the construction of a new 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, near the intersection of Windy Hill Road and Broeking Road, at an estimated cost of around $3.03 million. Phase one would also include the upgrading of 150-horsepower high-service pumps to 200 horsepower. Phase two would cover the painting and rehabilitation of the Central Zone Elevated Water Tank at a cost of $623,000.

Ziegler said the proposed project had been in the works long before the May 16 water-main break at Rend Lake Conservancy District put pressure on the city's water supply.

According to the project summary and preliminary environmental impacts determination, the justification for the water project is because the paint on the Central Zone tank is delaminating and the entire tank needs to be sandblasted and repainted.

The construction of the new water tower and the addition of new high-service pumps would ensure the water pressure is adequate to the city's needs and projected growth, according to the report.</group>