Consensus funds dive into water systems

The town of Encampment is seeking $75,000 from the State Lands and Investment Board (SLIB) for a $122,750 project to improve certain pieces of its water system.

The remaining $47,750 for the project would be provided by the town as matching funds.

The grant request is part of the SLIB Countywide Consensus (CWC) program which, according to the SLIB website, is intended to help municipalities construct, replace, or improve a fixed asset or public service facility; and major building and facility repair and replacement.

Specifically, the town of Encampment has applied for grant monies to replace 11 existing fire hydrants and two valves at the water plant.

The town wishes to replace the fire hydrants because it is believed that the water lines serving them are undersized and the hydrants are old and cannot handle the currently available water flow.

The new valves at the water plant would offer the town better control of water from the storage tanks to the water transmission system. The valves would also help ensure proper distribution of water in the event of a failure in the water transmission line system.