Water main project begins in Troy

A water main replacement project to stop 500,000-plus gallons of city-owned water from leaking into the ground on a daily basis got under way on Monday in Troy.

The city stated through its spring newsletter that it would notify residents when construction would begin in their area. Contractors plan to replace eight-inch water mains on Yaak Street and Fourth Street, and 10-inch mains on Third Street.

Approximately 800 feet of 12-inch pipe will also be installed to loop the city well to the water main on Highway 2. Construction is slated to continue through the end of May.

Largely through former Mayor Jim Hammons’ aggressive lobbying, the City of Troy received about $1.77 million in stimulus funding and appropriations for this second phase of the massive project to replace the city’s water distribution system. About $1.49 million came from grants and $277,500 from of a 20-year, low-interest loan.

Billing based on water meter readings will go into effect May 1 at a rate of 93 cents per 1,000 gallons after exceeding 6,000 gallons in the winter and 10,000 gallons in the summer. City councilmembers stated at their last meeting that they took a recommendation from residents to designate summer months as June through September, instead of May through August.

The city had extended the start date of metered water billing for four months to give residents more time to fix leaks on their end of the line. The city will test people’s water lines, free of charge, up until the end of April to determine if they have a leak. 

“If you procrastinate and wait till after May, we’ll have to charge a service fee,” Councilmember Phil Fisher said at the last council meeting, “but right now we’re doing it for free.”

Fisher pointed out that some people’s leaks are from aging underground pipes in their yard, but others come from fixtures like running toilets.

The first phase of Troy’s water project began in 2007 when the city put $3.35 million in grants and loans toward installing water meters, replacing more than 19,000 feet of water mains and installing a second water storage tank. 

In other City of Troy news:

• The council appointed Heather McDougall to fill in for City Judge Allen Dye when he is absent.

• June Hirst was granted a business license to prepare taxes.

• The council voted to grant Con Lee of Montana Hydrogen Co. Inc., a business license on the condition that he become state licensed.