Riley County officials have greenlit a potential new water tower project to be constructed near the county shops.
Representatives from Rural Water District Number 1 and local engineering firm Schwab Eaton presented on the need for an easement to build a future 300,000 gallon tank. Jared Brooks with Schwab Eaton says they’re targeting the Highway 24 corridor between the Public Works shops and Blue River Hills Road.
The water district already has a 200,000 gallon tank in the area, but it’s undersized to serve the current population. Once the new tower is constructed the rural water district would have 500,000 gallons of storage capacity northwest of Manhattan.
Commissioners approved a 200 by 200 foot easement, tentatively to be built on the northwest side of the property, though officials will finalize an exact location with the board at a future meeting.
In other business Thursday, the commission moved forward on a grant application with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help support low income residents repair or replace onsite wastewater systems and private water well testing.
Planning Director Amanda Webb says her office is applying for the $50,000 Local Environment Protection Program grant, which it will distribute as directed by KDHE.
The grant will cover 85% of onsite wastewater system repair and replacement costs for households with income between 134% and 200% of the federal poverty level and 100% of those costs for residents whose income is below that threshold.
Commissioners unanimously supported the grant application and directed staff to proceed with a draft to submit to KDHE for review.
