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SECTION 7 - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION PROJECT FEASIBILITY The proposed South Well Field Raw Water Transmission line promotes responsible water management and addresses multiple needs and issues. The raw water transmission line project improves or addresses consumptive use, water conservation, water quality, energy efficiency, and water management. This structural project replaces an existing cast iron raw water transmission line that is in danger of complete failure and in critical condition. The line serves 7,804 water users in the City of Lamar and Prowers County 1,894 ac /ft per year. The proposed project will conserve an estimated 20 — 35% of the total water sent through the existing line. This equates to approximately 378 — 662 ac /ft per year or 1.24 — 2.16 MG per year. Water quality will be improved through implementation of this crucial project. The cleanest wells are located in the South well field and have TDS levels up to 50% below North and Middle well fields. Currently, the North and Middle wells must be blended with the higher quality southern wells in order to keep TDS levels below the EPA established SMCL. Additionally, increased South well delivery should reduce cancer- causing disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like trihalomethanes (THHM) and haloacetic acids (HAA5), which are primary MCLs as established by the EPA. By using higher quality water from the South wells and minimizing use of the higher TDS wells, less wear and tear will be exhibited on water lines, valves, and pump equipment. Replacement of the line will also reduce the amount of necessary pumping energy currently needed to overcome the higher friction losses due to significant internal scaling inside the cast iron pipe. Higher pumping efficiencies and reduced energy costs will reduce the carbon footprint of water operations. Ongoing labor and maintenance will be reduced by eliminating constant repair needs of the existing transmission line. The new transmission line will also add redundancy and flexibility to Lamar's raw water delivery system. As proposed, the existing line will remain in place for emergency use if additions need to be made to the new line in the future. This water project helps reduce wasted water, freeing up water for other uses in Lamar, including non - potable irrigation of City parks and open space or recreation. Due to the size of the project, the City of Lamar does not have the financial resources to fund such a large project on ratepayer increases alone. Paying for 100% of the project with ratepayer increases alone, would pose an insurmountable financial burden on many already financially challenged ratepayers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, the median household income in Lamar is $31,074, which is well below the Colorado state average of $57,685. (Assuming Lamar received grants from DOLA, the CWCB loan will be serviced through a rate increase of $1.05 per month if no grants are received from WSRA). This monthly increase is reduced to $0.83 if WSRA grants are received. City of Lamar Raw Water Feasibility Study — Colorado Water Conservation Board 12