The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requires a minimum of two groundwater sources for cities the size of Wyoming. Currently, the City’s well #1 is no longer operational. It is over 100 years old and access to the well for repair and maintenance is extremely limited due to its location within a confined area of the city hall building. The addition of a new well is a top priority of the City to meet IDNR groundwater source requirements. In addition, much of the City’s water distribution system consists of 4" diameter mains or less which does not meet IDNR design standard requirements and fire flow capabilities. The City is applying for federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant program in the amount of $250,000 to address the needed well and mains. The total cost of the project will be approximately $782,946. The remaining $532,946 will be funded by the IDNR State Revolving Fund (SRF) program to meet the local match requirement of the grant.

The City plans to abandon existing 100 year old well #1 and construct a new 8" Silurian well and install a 100 GPM pump to meet present anf future source requirements based on IDNR criteria. In addition, the City plans to update its water distribution system of 4" or smaller diameter mains with 5,585 LF of 6" water mains to provide fire flow capabilities and meet IDNR design standards. In addition, a new waterworks building will be constructed to house equipment and supplies for the new well. This building will be designed to accommodate piping and equipment needs of future water storage facilties.

It is estimated to cost $25,000 to epoxy the inside of our water tower in the near future. Which also requires pumping directly into the mains for several weeks so the second well would help keep water in the mains.

Water rates have not been raised since 1998. A water rate study conducted by Iowa Rural Water in 2004 using 2003 data showed that it was costing the city $3.79 per 1,000 gallons then. They suggested a base rate of $9,60 with new debt of $300,000 for a water project. $10.60 for a base rate would generate an additional $3,454 reserve and $4.50 for every 1,000 after that would create an annual reserve of $9,027 with the $10.60 base rate. Cost for supplies, additional requirements for testing, and other items have all gone up since the study.

An average water bill is 3,427 gallons for a household. Current water charges are $12.49 for 3,427. The rate will change to $10.60 and $4.50 the water charges would be $21.52, an increase of about 72%.

Minimum bill will be an increase of $6.60. The rate increase will not affect the sewer rates. Rates will take effect in February of 2008. Please contact City Hall at 488-3970 for more information.

City Hall