Bill To Help Public Water System Projects Under Consideration

By Gordon HopkinsThe Nebraska Unicameral Legislature is considering a loan forgiveness bill that, potentially, could help two of Fairbury's important public water system projects.LB (Legislative Bill) 809 was introduced by State Senator Mike Moser (District 22 ) of Columbus to authorize the state Department of Environment and Energy to use the Drinking Water Facilities Loan Fund to buy or refinance the debt obligation of any municipality for a public water supply system, as long as the debt was incurred and construction began after July 1, 1993. LB 809 would also expand grants for eligible projects from 50 percent to 75 percent of costAccording to the bill's statement of intent, “LB 809 amends the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Act and the Wastewater Treatment Facilities Construction Assistance Act to better align the funds with existing federal regulation, and new provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”The bill covers both drinking water and wastewater treatment projects.The City of Fairbury is currently engaged in two projects that could potentially come under the purview of this bill.The first is a plan to renovate the wastewater treatment plant. In March of 2021, the City Council voted to file an application for funding with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to pay for improvements to the plant. The estimated cost at that time was approximately $3.5 million. However, costs have since increased. Fairbury City Administrator Robert Messbarger recently advised FJN, “The current estimated cost for the project is approximately $4 million.”The second is the search for a lower nitrate water source for the city's drinking water. Fairbury currently relies on the East Wells and Crystal Springs to provide water to the public. Both the East Wells and Crystal Springs have consistently tested in the higher range for nitrates over the past several years.In July, 2021, the city entered into an interlocal agreement with Little Blue NRD (Natural Resources District) to cost share in a project to identify a new water source with a lower nitrate content, under the LBVWS (Little Blue Valley Water Systems) entity. A prospective location for the new wells approximately four miles south of Daykin has been identified. A series of test wells have been sunk in that area and the results of those tests are pending.An alternative to new wells favored by some landowners is a treatment plant. However, according to Renn, a treatment plant would cost well over $10 million.If the bill does pass, that does not automatically mean Fairbury would be able to take advantage of the loan forgiveness or that it would be the best option for Fairbury. Project Manager Mary Renn told FJN, “The City of Fairbury has received approved funding through USDA which needs to be finalized. However, if additional funding opportunities become available prior to finalization, the City of Fairbury plans to exercise the option(s) that is most beneficial.”

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