ISD Special Projects

Infrastructure Improvement Project:

This project replaces the galvanized pipe sections in the service lines between the water mains and the curb stops servicing the lot. In addition, water meters capable of being read remotely are installed in the building crawl space. This project is being funded by special assessments on the lots. Bids have been received and contracts to purchase water meters and to install them have been awarded. Water meter installation is scheduled to be completed by the end of July. Project schedule, progress, and other information is available on the Infrastructure Improvement Project page.

New Well:

In order to improve the reliability of the water system, a new well will be drilled. A well drilling was attempted in 2005 but had to be abandoned due to the amount of sand in the water. This new project is being funded by a grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission covering 2/3 of the cost and a loan for the remaining 1/3. Contractor’s bids were received in August 2007 and in September the ISD Directors moved to award the contract to Thomas Drilling, Star Valley. Drilling of a new test well began in the last week of November; however, the drilling stalled at around 250 feet of depth due to extremely fine sand. The sand started rising out of the previously abandoned well and the surface also subsided. Fill was applied to counter the subsidence and a new well was begun about 15 feet away from the first attempt. At approximately the same depth as the first test well, surface subsidence again occurred and the drill was in fine sand. The engineer suggested and the ISD Directors agreed that drilling be terminated and different drilling techniques be investigated. The drilling continued in late September and reached 542 ft. in depth where it encountered limestone bedrock. Water quality testing is occurring to determine the quality of the well. If the water quality warrants, a larger diameter well will be drilled.

Additional Water Storage Tank:

In order to improve the reliability of the water system, a new storage tank will be built in order to double the storage capacity to 400,000 gallons. Bids were received in the Summer of 2006 but were rejected because they were higher than budgeted.. Due to the cost of the bids previously received, the ISD has requested additional funding from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to cover the additional cost, and this additional funding has been granted. The ISD has received a grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to cover 2/3 of the cost and a low interest loan from the State of Wyoming for the remaining 1/3. Contractor’s bids were received in August 2007 and in September the ISD Directors moved to award the contracts to Westwood Curtis, Jackson, for the excavation and to Associated Brigham Contractors, Brigham City, UT. A tie-in to the water line from the existing water tank was completed on November 6, 2008. The new tank was built in the Summer of 2008; however, small seepages were noticed and the contractor applied an epoxy-based sealant on the inside to address these seepages; however, some of the seepages continued. The ISD is currently in negotiation with the contractor regarding how to proceed to address the seepages. Once the seepages have been addressed, a tar-like coating will be applied to the exterior of the tank to protect the concrete from the ground chemistry; the tank will be buried, instrumented, filled with water, and placed in service; and the area re-claimed. The ISD hopes to accomplish as much of this work as possible this calendar year.