Arkansas - Round Mountain Water System Improvement Project_Full Application

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Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District Water System Improvements Project ATTACHMENT B B.3. Overview of Water Proiect (Continued) Funding assistance is needed because the District is already heavily indebted and had to divert approximately $135,000 per year from infrastructure needs to the purchase of water rights. These extreme unexpected costs of obtaining replacement water rights for the original wells have placed a financial strain on the District. The District has been self- sustaining through tap and service fees since 1986 and has not applied for grant funds of any kind during that period. The District now finds itself unable to make the capital improvements necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of its citizens and expand the system for Slnart growth without placing an unrealistic cost burden on its custolners. As previously stated, the District encompasses 6,345 acres, but only currently serves about one-tenth of that, or 640 acres. The District serves most citizens in the small, rural, mountainous Towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe, both located in Custer County. Both towns have grown considerably since the year 2000. Because of increased growth in our community and the construction of new hOlnes and facilities (i.e. new high school and gymnasiuln, park facilities), low water pressure and insufficient fire flows have been recognized within our water systeln. With increased state funding resources now available, the opportunity to improve and expand the water system can be achieved. By leveraging funds from both the DOLA grant and CWCB Basin Grant and matching District funds, the District can accomplish the goal of completing Phase 1 of this water project. RMWSD, Silver Cliff, Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District have worked collectively during the past year to understand the ensuing problelns of the water district and come up with a plan to address them. Improved communication among these entities has been instrumental in working together to achieve our goals. This project is important to RMWSD, as well as the towns and fire district, because it makes immediate infrastructure improvements and expands the system within a shorter period of time than the District could otherwise accomplish. Last spring Silver Cliff experienced a grass fire (started by illegal fireworks) east of town, adjacent to a trailer park. Coincidentally this fire occurred the same day the engineer doing the evaluation of the water system was testing fire flows from the District's fire hydrants. The area of the fire is the most affected by the lack of water pressure and fire flow. Luckily the town's maintenance man was at the town shop just south of where the fire occurred and was able to use the town grader to stop the fire from spreading before the fire department could get there with water trucks and equipment. The fire burned several acres in a matter of minutes, but could have been disastrous and life threatening had the wind been blowing like the day before. The water pressure and fire flow would not have been sufficient in this area to prevent loss of property and lives. This is one example of why there is an urgent need to improve and expand the water system. RMWSD's study/service area is located within the Towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe in Custer County. The towns are equally located, about 60 miles and a one-hour's drive, southwest from Pueblo, south of Canon City, east of Salida, and north of Walsenburg. The towns are situated in the Wet Mountain Valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. Silver Cliff/Westcliffe are slnall, rural towns with a combined population of approximately 1,056 people. The proposed water project will increase residential and commercial growth to the south of Westcliffe, and substantial residential and much needed commercial growth east and south of Silver Cliff. Both towns have prime commercial properties that are limited to development due to the lack of availability of water services by the District. Westcliffe, the county seat and business hub of the county, is virtually land-locked and limited to growth to the south. Silver Cliff, the larger of the towns, but more financially constrained due to lack of commercial growth, has prime commercial properties to the east, but lacks sufficient water pressure and fire flow to serve these properties. Property owners and potential future developers have been participants in the planning process of the expansion of the water system and are willing to contribute to the project through donations of property for water tank site, easements, and costs of main extensions through their properties. Commercial growth will provide jobs to the community and additional tax revenues to the town coffers. Land develoPlnent will provide facilities to ilnprove the quality of life for existing and new citizens of our cOlnmunity as well as visitors to the area. For example, one developer with property located in Silver Cliff is discussing adding equestrian, biking and walking trails in their Master Development Plan throughout their 6,000 acres. 4a