South Walker Water System

Water System Benefits

Safe, clean water provided to water customers.
Improved fire protection (hydrants) and lower insurance costs.
No maintenance of wells, pumps and treatment systems.
Less maintenance on appliances that use water.
Properties with public water are generally considered more marketable.

Proposed Watermain

Watermain can be extended to the southern portion of the City. The service area will include properties south of O’Brien Road. The watermain will be constructed in phases, with the first phase being on Wilson Avenue from O’Brien Road to Riverbend Street. Upon completion of the first phase, watermains can be extended to serve properties on Riverbend Street or Hall Street. The second phase would be on Wilson Avenue from Riverbend Street to Burton Street.

Proposed Phase 1 Service Area

Project Costs

Costs for residential properties have previously been presented in the range of $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size of the property and the amount of frontage that the property has. These costs were estimated based on other watermain projects. The frontage cost includes watermain construction and restoration costs that is usually along the front property line. These costs will be updated and presented at the upcoming meeting.

Funding

The watermain on Wilson Avenue can be funded by the Water System and as properties on Wilson Avenue connect to it they will pay back the Water System. The watermains on Riverbend Street or within a neighborhood would need to be funded by establishing a Special Assessment District.

Special Assessment Process

Special Assessment Districts are established in areas where improvements, in this case watermain, are constructed and property owners within the district pay for the improvements, usually over a predetermined timeframe. To start the process the City would want to receive favorable petitions from a majority of property owners in the district. This has already been done and is the reason we want to have one more informational meeting, to provide updated costs and schedule and to make sure there is still a majority in favor of the project.

After the informational meeting, the City will hold a Hearing of Necessity at which the project scope and costs will be presented in a public hearing. If you decide at this meting to change your vote, you will be allowed to do so before the close of the hearing. After the hearing is closed, if more than 50 percent of the property owners remain in favor of the project, the City will authorize the preparation of final construction plans and bidding documents. The project will then be advertised to construction contractors who will submit bids to do the construction work. After the bids are received, the costs will be reviewed by the City. If they are within 10% of the original estimate, there will be a Hearing to confirm the special assessment rate, interest rate, and number of years for the bond. A construction contract will be awarded and construction of the project could then begin.

RIVERBEND, FERNDALE & MADERIAWATER SYSTEM ASSESSMENT AND CONNECTION COSTS

ASSESSMENT METHOD - REU (RESIDENTIAL EQUIVALENT UNIT)

1 HOUSE ON 1 PARCEL OF PROPERTY IS 1 REU AND WOULD BE ASSIGNED 1 ASSESSMENT

ESTIMATED PROJECT COST	$800,000.00
TOTAL REU'S	97
ESTIMATED COST PER REU	$8,247.42
GRAND RAPIDS CONNECTION FEE (2008) This amount is for a 3/4" meter and will increase to $2,550 in 2009. The cost is greater for lots larger than 20,000 sft (1/2 acre) if the house was not occupied until after the year 2000.	$2,500
ESTIMATED PLUMBING COST Costs vary based on the distance from the house to the road, required restoration, and internal plumbing.	$2,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a corner lot assessed?

Frontage on only one street is used for the assessment.

Does a property owner have to connect to the watermain?

No, the assessment needs to be paid but you will not be forced to connect. If you have problems with your well in the future the Health Department would probably require you to connect instead of drilling a new well.

Can a house still use a well if they are connected to the water system?

Yes, but the two systems cannot be interconnected. A well can be used for irrigation and the household plumbing can be connected to the water system.

Will chlorine in the water affect septic tanks?

The amount of chlorine in the Grand Rapids water system is minimal. Residual chlorine levels are maintained to kill harmful bacteria or pathogens over the many miles of watermain in the water system. Water softeners and laundry waste are much more harmful to septic tanks than the minimal amount of chlorine in the water.

What is an average monthly water bill?

The cost for water can range from $15 to $25 per month depending on volume used. Grand Rapids bills watermain quarterly with average costs ranging from $65 to $80 for that 3 month period.

Updated:  March 8, 2008