The Seward City Council has asked JEO Consulting to study the city’s current and future water needs to develop a new master plan for water supply, treatment, storage and distribution to households, fire hydrants, businesses and other customers over the next few decades.
The council on Jan. 6 approved the scope of work and a $123,000 contract with the firm to conduct the study and analysis, as well as outlining possible options for the city’s maintenance and potential growth of the water system.
City Administrator Greg Butcher said the assessment will include the city’s reverse osmosis treatment plant, water towers, distribution via water mains, operational efficiencies and reliability to create a strategic plan. That plan will also factor in considerations for areas where the city anticipates growth.
The study will also look at water quality and the potential longevity of the three well fields that supply Seward’s water.
The city had budgeted $200,000 for this phase of the water master plan, and Butcher said several companies submitted proposals. JEO was selected based on its proposal and the work the company has done with the city before, including the geographical information system (GIS) it has been working with to map existing watermains and other infrastructure around the city.
The proposal outlines a process beginning in February and ending in late summer.
Butcher noted the type of water distribution improvements made under Highway 15 recently may also be needed in other areas, but the study will help to identify where and how much work is needed.
JEO will also create models to predict water pressure, flows and potential water levels for fire safety and other needs.
Butcher said the current RO treatment plant has now added its third “skid” which puts the plant at maximum capacity for regular service or as backup to the other two skids.
The study will evaluate the plant to determine if improvements or other options should be considered, he said.
The plan was the only action item on the council’s Jan. 6 agenda.
