Could a water storage facility be coming to Orion Township?
A public hearing this May could go a long way towards determining that, after the board delayed definitive action on a feasibility and financial analysis on the potential project last week.
Public Works Director Bill Ireland spoke to the board during their regular meeting and said the construction of a water storage facility could save the township between $600,000 and $1,000,000 annually off current water rates paid to the Detroit Water and Sewer Department.
‘One of my goals, when I started here eight or nine years ago, was to reduce the water rates in Orion Township and I feel this is the best way to do that,? Ireland said.
He said the savings could represent around a 20-30-percent decrease in township water rates, but early estimates for a facility range between $4-$10 million.
The board approved the feasibility and financial analysis in concept, but postponed approval of spending $75,000 for the study until their May 19 meeting.
At that meeting, township engineers from Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. will present a detailed ‘scope of work,? which is to explain the rationale for the proposed project.
The public hearing has been scheduled for that same meeting.
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said a similar proposal was shot down by a previous board six years ago. He added that the concept for a facility has been in the water and sewer plan for some time.
‘It reminds me of the public safety complex,? Dywasuk said. ‘If the community is going to continue to grow, we have to be willing to build some equity.?
‘I think the average citizen is saying, ‘go for it,? especially if it’s going to bring down their water costs,? he added.
The possible location for the facility, according to Dywasuk, is along Brown Road, just east of the General Motors Plant and west of the Orion Lakes Mobile Home Park.
Dywasuk and Ireland believe the land, owned by GM, would be donated by the automaker, as they would be the biggest beneficiary.
‘If we’re looking into buying, then we’d definitely look into other sites,? Ireland said.
According to an OHM memo, the ‘addition of storage and appropriate ancillary facilities to the Orion Township water system would enable the township to maintain a steady flow from DWSD by putting the flow into storage during low usage periods.?
Ireland noted that GM already attempts to do this, but a typical township customer cannot. The Village of Lake Orion is among the township’s customers.
‘Since we’re so far from Detroit’s water supply and our elevation is so high, it costs a lot of money for us to get water,? Dywasuk said.
Clerk Jill Bastian said she would be more in favor of in-ground storage, as opposed to elevated storage, an issue sure to come up again at the May 19 meeting. There was also no discussion about insuring such a facility.
It is unclear when a facility could be constructed and ready for use, but the feasibility study is considered the start of the design process, according to OHM officials.
‘We could be up and ready to go out for bid by the next budget year,? Ireland said, pending approval. ‘This is something that could be there for 50 years, giving back to our customers.?
Dywasuk added that he hopes the public hearing will be of the ‘informational? variety. He said the water storage facility has nothing to do with the proposed water pipeline into Genesee County, scheduled for construction in 2009.