Dolores is asking for state grant money to help pay for maintenance and upgrades on its sewer system and water plant.
During the town workshop Monday, Ken Charles of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs gave an overview of the grant application requesting half the project costs.
The sewer plant needs 20-years of sludge to be removed so it can work more efficiently and continue to pass effluent standards. The price tag is $185,900, which includes removal of 1.8 million gallons of sludge, a drying process, lab testing and permits, plus landfill costs to dispose 1,200 tons of treated waste.
The water treatment plant upgrades will cost $30,268. It includes a new pump house, some new water lines, and modernization of the treatment system as determined by the Colorado Department of Public Health. The pump house was constructed in 1954.
The town is asking for a DOLA to cover $108,084, or half the total projects cost of $216,167.
Charles said the Dolores grant application scored well, and a decision will be made in February. He suggested that the town consider a utility rate structure study of the town’s sewer and water system. The estimated cost of the study was reported at $25,000, and half could be covered by a grant.
The study would identify deficits in water and sewer infrastructure so town officials have a better understanding of future maintenance costs and can set rates appropriately.
“That way you would know the condition, and then save to pay for it in order to keep debt service down,” Charles said. He said funding for depreciation of utilities is critical for smaller towns.
Interim manager Lana Hancock reported that town is focusing on “maintaining the core” services of town including sewer, water, and roads. Rates are raised a little bit more frequently, rather than a lot all at once to pay for a big project.
She said citizens have enjoyed seeing curb and sidewalk projects, Central Ave. paved, and trails built, but now the focus is on saving for future maintenance for essential town infrastructure. “We’re in the process of putting aside funds to take care of what we have,” Hancock said.
Mayor Val Truelsen said water lines and sewer lines in town have been upgraded in recent years.
“Overall we’re in pretty good shape,” he said.
Regarding the proposed rate structure study, the board will vote on the matter during an upcoming regular meeting.
There are additional maintenance needs beside the water and sewer plant. Where the sewer line crosses the Dolores River needs re-enforcement. The sewer pipe itself has not been compromised, but a protective casing needs repair.
Also a 2014 inspection of the Fourth Street bridge revealed maintenance needs, and Central Avenue is due for paving repairs more than just patching. Bridge repair estimates are expected later this year.
Other recent projects DOLA has funded locally include $2 million towards the expansion project at Southwest Memorial Hospital and $1.5 million to improve the Goodman Point road heavily impacted by oil and gas trucks.
Across the state, DOLA typically distributes $105 million in competitive grant funding per year for capital projects. The money is derived in part from severance taxes charged against mineral resource extraction, and fees from federal mineral leases.
However the amount is going to be cut, Charles said, because of the low price of oil and commodities.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
