FAIRVIEW—The Fairview City Council took the next important step on the city’s sewer water reuse project last week by holding a public hearing on the funding mechanisms.
A hearing is required before the city can sign a bond for the $1 million awarded by the Utah Community Impact Board (CIB) or access a $2 million grant, also awarded by the CIB.
At the hearing last Thursday, Oct. 21, Mayor Cliff Wheeler explained the city had been cited for having too much phosphorous in the effluent water its microfiltration sewer plant is discharging into the Sanpitch River.
The city faced either adding equipment at the plant to remove the phosphorous or using the water in a way that didn’t impact the river. It chose the latter.
The project will add a lift-station at the plant, which will send water that has gone through the fine filters at the plant to remove wastes and bacteria through a new, 2.3-mile pipeline leading to the city cemetery.
At the cemetery, the water will be stored in a new concrete holding tank and used, as needed, to irrigate the cemetery grass.
In an earlier study, the CIB determined that the city was not charging residents enough for sewer services to pay back the loan portion of the financial package. In order to qualify for the loan, the CIB required the city to raise its rates.
Wheeler said the city had done so, but included measures in the rate increase that protected low-income customers if the new rates posed a financial hardship.
Justin Jackson, water and sewer superintendent, said all but two of the right-of-way agreements for the pipeline had been concluded.
No one spoke in opposition to the project, so the public hearing portion of the meeting was adjourned, and the regular city council meeting went forward.
Jackson requested that the Water and Sewer Department be allowed to purchase a Lidar GIS mapping program that can store data, and aid in planning and scheduling.
He explained that his department’s current method of managing infrastructure is trying to remember or make their best guess as to where pipes and other features are located.
He said the new system includes “plant-management” capacity, allowing water and sewer staff to pinpoint the location of each asset, see its age and look at maintenance records.
He explained that the “Lidar” feature is a ground mapping tool that is like having a ground-based radar. The system maps the surface topography in great detail.
He said the GIS system could be used by all city utility departments, including the Electric Department. The council approved Jackson’s request.
The next item of business was restoration of the old ball field. The city streets manager said he had located some topsoil, but the weeds would have to be taken care of before the topsoil was put down. He said “an army of volunteers” was needed to move the topsoil to the ball field.
Councilman Michael MacKay said the city should pay the fuel costs for anyone who volunteers the use of a truck for the project. Council members said care would have to be taken not to damage the sprinkler system when bringing in the dirt. After extensive discussion, the council voted to acquire the topsoil and commence hauling it to the ball field.
In other business, the council approved business licenses for a gun shop in the basement of the Home Plate Café and for a coffee roasting operation on 400 South.
Mayor Wheeler asked what the best day would be to come by and get a “whiff” of the coffee roasting operation.
