Doc9 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 19, 2015 Staff Report Page 2 the ponds being spray irrigated on farm fields. The main need for the improvement is due to the proposed Highway 371 improvement which will split the spray pivot irrigators. Tim Houle explained the various alternatives and the variables associated with each alternative. • A-1 Method – Spray pivot irrigators using currently city-owned land - $2.6 million • A-2 Method - Spray pivot irrigators using additional land for spray irrigators - $1.1 million. • A-3 Method – Row irrigation system – Not pursued in detail. • B Method – Rapid infiltration basins - $1.75 million. • C Method – Piping city’s wastewater to the PRASD - $3.3 million dollars. • D Method – Offsite surface disposal options. Did not pursue this method. • E Method – Subsurface Disposal – Did not pursue this method. Tim Houle stated that the lowest estimated present worth, which includes 20 years of O&M is the Spray Pivot Irrigators. The second lowest estimated present worth was Method B, the Rapid Infiltration Basins. Tim Houle explained that the Highway will be a limited access highway which would make it difficult to access the west side of the spray irrigation land which is why the City is choosing the east side for treatment disposal. Tim Houle stated that the MPCA has said that the City may be able to increase the application rate to the existing property which may allow the City to show another alternative of just spraying on the east side. Tim Houle reviewed the estimated sewer service charges based on the Rapid Infiltration Basin method. The cost to pay for the $1.7 million dollars is approximately $9.25 per month per residential customer. Dawn Bittner, City Zoning Administrator questioned whether the MPCA has concerns with irrigating near the lowland area in Option A2. Tim Houle explained that the MPCA hasn’t officially reviewed the options. He stated that Option A2 is not very different from the present irrigator. Council Member Akerson questioned how long the Rapid infiltration basins will last. Tim Houle stated that they should not plug up and should last for quite a while. He stated that it would be a good idea to keep excess land on the east side in case of growth to the system.