Troy picks up steam on massive water project

Troy wasn’t in good standing to receive regular state funding for a massive project to fix its water distribution system, but the city continued to aggressively push the congressional delegation and state legislators for stimulus funds.

Determination seems to have paid off. In the past four weeks, the state awarded Troy more than $1.25 million in stimulus fund grants and a $250,000 low-interest loan – money that will go toward picking up where the project left off when funds dried up in 2007.

“We’re pumping over half a million gallons of treated water in the ground still so hopefully we’ll be able to take care of some of the leaks,” Mayor Jim Hammons said during last week’s Troy City Council meeting.

Construction on phase II of the project could begin as soon as mid-summer, according to Mike Frasure, Troy’s engineering consultant.

Robert Peccia & Associates, a firm out of Kalispell, must first re-assess the project’s preliminary engineering report. Then the Department of Environmental Quality will conduct a review, and the project will go up for bid.

The city raced to set the project in motion with the initial understanding that it had to break ground by June, but now the city has a little more time, Hammons said during the meeting.

Frasure explained further.

“The original information we had was that (the project) had to be under construction by June 17, 2009,” he said, “but that has since been re-interpreted that the money must be completely spent by Feb. 17, 2010.

“It’s still a hurry, but not as much,” Frasure added.

Last month Troy received a $175,000 appropriation from Sen. Max Baucus to fund engineering work to get the project off the ground.

What exactly will make up phase II of the three-phase project will depend on RPA’s preliminary engineering report, but there are a few priorities.

To adhere to new Environmental Protection Agency standards that will go into effect Dec. 1, Troy must chlorinate its two wells. Hammons also hopes more leaky water mains will be fixed or replaced. Currently the system leaks more water than the city uses.

“With the meters online,” Hammons said, “we know a lot of (the leaks are) on our main lines.”

During the project’s first phase in 2007, $3.35 million in grants and loans went toward installing meters, upgrading three water mains, replacing pipe and installing a second water tank.