Three years in the making

HOT SPRINGS - A project that has been in the works for three years and coming up on four has finally reached the final stages. In the town Hot Springs, a project to install a new water storage tank and transmission line is within months of completion. 

Starting in 2012, a Preliminary Engineering Report [PER] was presented to the town of Hot Springs. The PER provided an assessment of the town’s water condition, performance, and capacity of facilities. It then provided recommended courses of action to improve the town’s water supply to ensure that it would meet state and federal regulations for a 20 year projected planning period. 

In accordance to the 20 year plan, population increase and anticipated regulations were taken into consideration for the outlined courses of action. The regulations0f concern were Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and Montana Department of Environmental Quality [MDEQ] Circular 1 regulations. The MDEQ Circular 1 outlines requirements for water system projects and what must be met to be approved. 

The EPA established National Primary Drinking Water Standards, which set limitations on contaminant levels. The list of contaminants include, inorganic chemicals, synthetic organic chemicals, volatile organic chemicals, microbiological contaminants, radionuclides, disinfectants and disinfection byproducts. In the PER, it was reported, “Based on regulations, Radium 228 in Well 3 appears to be the only concern for the town. Well 3 is primarily used as backup well in emergency situations.” 

It was noted in the PER that Well 2 is also a backup well due to its poor taste. In addition, there is a local hotel whose primary tourist attraction is their hot springs pool. This hotel has a private well. When Well 2 is in use, the heat of the hotel’s well decreases. 

In addition to the report of Well 2 and 3, in the PER, the engineers who created the report noted that the Central Control Unit located in Well House 1 is 25 years old and complete failure is imminent. 

Explained in Section 1.5 of the PER, Existing Water Distribution and Storage, the engineers described previous work done, water meter problems, hydrant access, platted lots, storage, flow rates, and PSI levels. 

The town was assessed to have adequate PSI levels and fire flow levels. A number of water meters were reported to be broken. Water loss levels at the main sites were at a low level. It was also reported that hydrant access was opposite the road from the school and that in the case of emergency, entrance and exit of the town would not be possible. 

MDEQ requires the system to produce adequate fire flows under maximum day demands while maintaining a minimum pressure of 20 PSI. The town of Hot Springs passed.

Within town limits there are platted lots where future growth is anticipated. In the PER, it is reported that the plots do not have water mains adjacent to them. 

Hot Springs has one 200,000 gallon storage tank that was constructed in 1933. It was rehabilitated in 1987. In 2009 it was inspected and said to be in good condition. 

 In accordance to MDEQ regulations, a storage tank must equal the average daily demands plus fire flow. Using the 20 year projected plan, the average 2032 average daily demand for Hot Springs would be 85,900 gallons a day. The maximum fire demand for the system is 300,00 gallons. Adding the two figures up, equals 385,000 gallons. In the PER it states, “The town has a storage deficit and a minimum of an additional 185,900 is recommended. This lack of storage poses a serious threat to human health and safety.”

After the assessment was laid before the town, courses of action were presented to address the multiple dilemmas the town faced. Costs and expenditures were described, along with possible environmental impacts, the most urgent needs of the town and funding strategies.

Moving ahead, the town of Hot Springs applied for and received a Treasure State Endowment Program grant [TSEP] worth $592,500, a Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] worth $450,000, and a INTERCAP loan of $142,550 for the project.

Due to time and unforeseeable events, as Mayor Randy Woods put it, things slightly changed to the original plans decided upon after the town reviewed the PER in 2012. Despite the three year long ordeal of working to get the project underway, on June 16, 2015 the project was approved by the Public Water Supply and Subdivision Bureau.

Approved by the bureau were, one 200,000 gallon storage tank, approximately 2,800 feet of 12 inch diameter water transmission main, approximately 280 feet of water main to connect to the distribution system to the transmission main in a second location, approximately 390 feet of 8 inch diameter water main and 50 feet of 10 inch diameter water main via directional drill to bring fire hydrants to the school side of the road, two fire hydrant assemblies, approximately 11 gate valves, two air/vacuum release valve vaults, upgrades to the SCADA and control systems and installation of active mixing systems in both storage tanks. 

The bureau states in its letter to the town of Hot Springs that the development of the system is solely for the already defined population area of Hot Springs. 

It was also noted in the bureau’s letter that with the addition of the new 200,000 gallon water tank, the town will then meet the required volume for the community.

The contractor was notified August 10 to start work. In a September report, it was noted, “Work has been progressing on water main construction on both Jaques Road and the 12” transmission main. The Contractor has currently installed approximately 2600 linear feet of water main. Preliminary water tank grading has also been completed, preparing the site for tank foundation excavation and pipeline excavation. Water main connections at D-Street and North Road have also been completed.”

Last week, Woods reported that the work is nearing completion and that the town is now waiting for the water tank to arrive and be put in place. He also remarked that the fire hydrants put in place were not MDEQ required, but MDEQ does require that water main must have the ability to be flushed. He said for the same price as flushing components, fire hydrants are considered to work as well and they have more uses. 

A projected day of installation for the new tank has not been set, but Woods says that the foundation must be set, allowed to set for 28 days, and then the tank can be set in place. It is his prediction that the project should be finished in November.