NPU, Sprague propose emergency water supply line to Baltic
Norwich — Norwich Public Utilities and Sprague town officials are working on an agreement to extend an NPU water line into the town as an emergency backup water supply, a plan that could help the city utility qualify for grants and low-interest loans for a total of $18.45 million in upgrades as a regional project.
Extending the water line to Sprague is estimated to cost $3.2 million, but because of the regional partnership between NPU and Sprague, the project would qualify for 50 percent grant funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
And NPU also can apply for up to 30 percent grant funding through the revolving fund for several water system upgrades already in the works, NPU Assistant General Manager Chris LaRose told the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners on Tuesday.
Those projects include $7 million in upgrades at the Stony Brook Reservoir, $2 million to refurbish the filtration system at the Deep River Reservoir, $5.4 million to either replace or install new lining in some 10,000 feet of water main at the Stony Brook water treatment plant and $850,000 for a new mixing and aeration system at the Occum water tank.
The state Bond Commission is expected to consider the water projects at a meeting.
The cost not covered by the grants would be funded through low-interest loans through the program, LaRose said. Making the system upgrades part of the regional project would increase the anticipated grant funding from 8 percent to 30 percent, LaRose said.
Cathy Osten, Sprague first selectwoman and 19th District state senator, said the emergency water line would prevent a situation that occurred in 2008, when Sprague's major community drinking water well had become clogged with sediment and failed, leaving the town with just 10 days' supply of water.
The town has new wells for its main water supply for 600 residential customers, town offices, two schools and businesses in Baltic, but the NPU line would ensure the water supply would not be in jeopardy during emergencies, Osten said.
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