By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
RIVERTON, Kan. — Planning for a $12.2 million plant to process water from Spring River for public consumption is under way, but it may be a couple of years before the plant is in operation.
Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 19 was awarded $12.2 million in federal stimulus funding last month. It includes a grant of $8.9 million and a loan of $3.3 million.
Now comes the hard part — Christie McReynolds, area specialist with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Chanute, said work being done now includes legal work, purchasing easements and designing the plant. She said progress is being made, but it’s not visible.
“It’s not the most fun part of the project,” McReynolds said. “It can be more tedious, but it’s a necessary part of the project.”
Plans call for the water-treatment plant to be built on a 12-acre site where Shawnee Creek enters Spring River near Riverton. It also would include a 200,000-gallon, elevated storage tank and booster station.
When complete, it would provide water for four rural water districts in Cherokee County and the city of Columbus. USDA Rural Development estimates the plant would serve 5,800 residents.
The city of Baxter Springs has agreed to serve as a backup water supply for the wholesale district.
At planning meetings for the project, officials discussed the wholesale district selling water to rural districts at a cost of $5 or less per 1,000 gallons.
The rural water districts now are supplied by wells, but saltwater is migrating from western Kansas that may eventually contaminate the wells.
The project had been discussed on and off for 14 years when the potential to receive federal stimulus funds revived the idea in March.
McReynolds said design will take until spring, with a goal of starting construction near the end of 2010. She said the treatment plant could be in operation near the end of 2011.
Local News
Spring River water-plant plans under way
- Local News
-
-
FTC program gains support from national foundation
For Joplin High School junior Drew Holle, taking auto classes at Franklin Technology Center is a family affair. “My dad went here, my brother went here and now I’m here,” Holle said. “I’ve always been into it. My dad owns his own shop. It’s just something I’ve watched him do, so now I want to learn.”
-
City official: SEMA rejects helping individuals pay for safe rooms
Joplin officials were notified Friday by the State Emergency Management Agency that individual storm shelters will not be funded, but a spokesman said that $20 million will be earmarked to build community safe rooms in Joplin schools or elsewhere.
-
Racial slur written on door of church that holds Spanish-language service
When Pastor Greg Earl arrived at Mission of Encouragement Church about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday to do work with his food pantry, he was shocked by what he saw.
-
Lake-business owners worry about any plan to tap Stockton
Two Stockton Lake business owners said their questions were answered Friday about reports that water from the lake might be piped to Joplin at some point in the future.
-
Masonite to add 65 new jobs in Pittsburg
Masonite is expanding its exterior door and glass insert manufacturing plants in Pittsburg, and company officials anticipate a growth of about 65 jobs.
-
Three JHS seniors finalists for national scholarship program
Three Joplin High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Siri Ancha, Michelle Barchak and Derek Carter are now among the 15,000 finalists who will be narrowed down to 8,300 winners for corporate-sponsored, college-sponsored and National Merit $2,500 scholarships in the next few months.
-
Play’s issues remain relevant
It’s performed by one of the smallest casts in recent Pittsburg Community Theatre history, but “The Glass Menagerie” will be no less impactful, says director Linden Little.
-
Mike Pound: In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl is Sunday
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, then you are probably aware that the Super Bowl pre-game show is now in hour number 173. By now, profiles of every person who has ever played in the NFL have been completed and aired.
-
Webb City school official cites Bright Futures reception
Webb City Assistant Superintendent Kevin Cooper pointed to a recent request on the district’s Bright Futures Facebook page as an example of how the community has embraced the new program.
-
Brunner’s wealth would rank high in US Senate
St. Louis businessman John Brunner has already poured at least $1 million into his U.S. Senate campaign.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
