Sun Valley voters will be asked to approve a $4.357 million bond for improvements to Water and Sewer District infrastructure in a special election on Tuesday, May 22.
The bond seeks to improve three main components: reclaimed water use, wastewater management and water management. The bond will affect Sun Valley residents differently, depending on the taxable value of their home.
The annual impact on residential homeowners from the $4.357 million bond is roughly $15.89 per $100,000 of taxable market value of a home. In other words, a homeowner with a $600,000 home will pay an annual levy of $95.36 and for a $5 million home, the homeowner will pay $794.70. It is important to note that the above figures are in addition to the levy on homeowners from the $3.7 million Wastewater Bond Issue of 2004. Currently, Sun Valley residents pay an estimated $13.57 per $100,000 of taxable market value of a home.
For a homeowner with a $600,000 home, the levy will go from the current annual levy of $81.42 to roughly $176.78 and for a $5 million home the annual levy will go from $678.51 to $1,473.21.
Following the Wastewater Bond Issue of 2004 and the subsequent construction and enhancement of the wastewater treatment facility, the plant is now capable of producing reusable water. The current bond proposal plans to pick up where the last bond left off: to design and install the pipelines and facilities necessary to transport the reclaimed water. The cost of improvements for reclaimed water use is estimated at $1.8 million.
Idaho has recently implemented new regulations that broadly support water reuse. According to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, water reuse is a sustainable, environmentally and economically sound water management tool. The use of reclaimed water requires regulatory approval with an environmental review and public comment period. Initially, the district will use reclaimed water along the bike path as a part of a pilot project.
"You really can't have one bond without the other," said Jack Brown, manager for the Sun Valley Water and Sewer District, referring to the fact that the costly improvements from 2004 are almost worthless without the ability to move the water. Brown said the bonds the district plans to purchase are rated at A+ by Moody's Investors and will be bought in a competitive bidding process.
The reclaimed water is slated for use on Elkhorn Golf Course, for snowmaking on Dollar Mountain, and possibly for Weyyakin and the Idaho Parks Foundation pastures on Highway 75.
However, some members of the Sun Valley electorate have voiced concern over a publicly funded bond that will go in large part to subsidizing private enterprise.
"I expected to hear that concern," Brown said. "And snowmaking is a new use." Brown went on to state that there are public benefits to the proposed project.
For one, the potential conservation savings of using treated potable water in lieu of other water sources on the golf course and on Dollar Mountain could represent a 1,000,000 gallons per day savings. In other words, water reuse has a revenue value.
Secondly, when water is treated, the ambient temperature of the water is raised. According to Brown, if that water is used for snowmaking or on the golf course, the temperature will be lowered and re-immersion in the natural ecology will be safer.
Following the filtration and ultraviolet disinfecting process, reclaimed water has increased nutrient loads when compared to the natural water flow. Large influxes of treated water could cause harm to the Big Wood River. According to Brown, the planed uses for the reclaimed water will taper the flow of treated water.
Wastewater improvements include replacement of the lift station at Lane Ranch. This phase of the project is estimated at $600,000. Brown said that the current lift station is "nearly obsolete." The district has to fabricate parts for the 18-year-old facility because suppliers no longer make the required replacement equipment.
Water improvements include two new wells and a new Lane Ranch reservoir above Weyyakin. The first well would be located at Bitterroot and Silverweed. This well has been tested at 600 gallons per minute and would service the Sun Valley side of the water system.
The second well would be located on the west side of Highway 75 and would service Lane Ranch and the lower end of the water system. Both wells carry an estimated construction cost of $600,000. Brown said that it is necessary to develop the wells in the short term to finalize water rights with the state of Idaho.
The Lane Ranch reservoir (a concrete holding tank located above Weyyakin estimated at $700,000) would service the lower end of the system and enhance transmission to Elkhorn. Brown said that the tank should not be visible from the homes below. "We set them in place and build an earth berm around it," making visibility difficult, Brown said.
Bond election
· The Water and Sewer District bond election is open to residents serviced by the district—this does not include Weyyakin subdivision. Joanne Vasser, of the Water and Sewer District, encourages anyone with a question about the election to contact her at 622-7610, ext. 104.
· The election is Tuesday, May 22, at Sun Valley City Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
