6.1a2 ERMUSR 11-8-2022��i
Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Mark Hanson — Deputy General Manager
HEMEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
November 8, 2022
6.1a2
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Last month, I provided a broad overview of the northeast/northwest Elk River urban services
expansion study completed by WSB Engineering, a sizeable expansion effort with the potential
for a 60% increase to our urban service area and resultant water demand. Listed below is a
more detailed update including recent discussions that may change the scope of the WSB
study:
• The expansion effort was split into two areas due to their geographic location (NW and
NE Elk River) and elevation (pressure) differences. Each area was intended to be
operated as independent systems due to their elevation differences.
o The current water estimate for the NE expansion area is $42.5M. With a
maximum projected developable acreage of 1328, that equates to $32K/acre.
o The current water estimate for the NW expansion area is $37.4M. With a
maximum projected developable acreage of 1931, that equates to $19.4K/acre.
o Projected water demand in each area requires the installation of a new well
($3M), tower ($4.75M) and treatment plant ($6M).
• Due to the high costs associated with building independent systems with relatively low
developable acreage, I met with Zach Carlton (Community Development Director) and
Justin Femrite (Public Works Director), to brainstorm ideas for reducing costs by
focusing on the most developable acreage. Outcomes of the meeting included:
o Reducing the size of one or both service areas would eliminate thousands of feet
of trunk main and may eliminate a tower, well, and/or treatment plant.
o Most of the anticipated changes would impact the planned NW expansion area.
• The new layout still needs to be routed through WSB and our design consultant, Elfering
& Associates, to review the impacts of the suggested changes on the system design and
estimated costs.
• No direction is needed at this time. I will continue working with City staff to further
refine the WSB report and bring this back for future commission action.
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