Projects

KAN STEP Nemaha County RWD 1 at Bern

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November 10, 2001
Volunteer workers in Nemaha County Rural Water District No. 1 at Bern have reduced costs by nearly $340,000 on a recently completed improvement project. The savings result from volunteers putting in "sweat equity" to install the project compared to the engineer's project estimate based on conventional bidding and installation. The Nemaha RWD 1 project was completed under the KAN STEP program that is funded through the Kansas Dept. of Commerce & Housing. KAN STEP is the acronym for Kansas Small Towns Environment Program.

An appreciation barbecue and program was held on November 10 at Bern for volunteers and patrons of the water district.

To install the 7 miles of new pipeline, tank control vault and new water services, volunteers provided 1842 hours of labor, 261 hours of equipment use from skid loaders to a locally owned track backhoe. Volunteers drove 6338 miles back and forth to the job sites; 142 meals were served with all food donated.

The Nemaha RWD 1 project began on August 3 and continued during the hottest days of 2001. In just over 9 days, the entire seven miles of new transmission and service pipeline were installed. The project improves water supply and overall system capacity to the RWD, which also serves the City of Bern.

A plaque, expressing congratulations to the project volunteers and other workers, was presented to John Baumgartner, Chairman of the RWD by Ned Webb, Director of Community Development Programs at KDOCH. The plaque was signed by Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, Secretary of the agency. Baumgartner expressed appreciation to all those who helped on the project. Local volunteers included 67 men and 41 women. They prepared right of way, opened and repaired fences, hauled and installed pipeline and materials, prepared meals and delivered break refreshments during the extremely hot weather. Young Trenching, Seneca, cut ditch for the project and installed road and creek crossings. Donna Crawford of Governmental Assistance Services, Lawrence, completed Grant administration. Wilson & Company, Salina, was the design consultant. Kansas Rural Water Association, Seneca, provided training of workers and on-site assistance, Inspection, flushing, pigging and pressure testing. Board members and staff at Nemaha RWD 1 who spearheaded and organized the project included John Baumgartner and Wayne Edelman, Sabetha; Earl Meyer, Dan Feldkamp, Dennis Meyer and Jeff Baumgartner and Robert Meyer, operator and district bookkeeper Debra Meyer, all of rural Bern. Neil Hartter and Evelyn Hartter, former board member and bookkeeper, were recognized for their work on the project and were presented a special tribute for their many years of service to the district.

Marilyn Graham, program coordinator at KDOCH, reported that the Nemaha RWD 1 project was extremely successful and one which makes the Department very proud to have participated in. The project was completed in record time, plus pressure testing of the system revealed not a single leak in the entire project. KDOCH officials recently showcased the project at a multi-state regional conference held in Wichita for community planners and local government officials.

What does the volunteerism mean to the water customers of the district? According to Elmer Ronnebaum, General Manager of the Kansas Rural Water Association, had the district purchased the project through conventional financing at the estimated costs, the monthly debt service for each customer would have added $25.10 or just over $300 per year to each of the 122 rural water customers' bills for 20 years.

Can other communities obtain such benefits? "Sure thing," says Graham of KDOCH. "If they meet the income standards and then only if they are willing to put out the local effort to make the improvement." Upcoming projects include new fire stations and community centers at Formoso, Tescott and McFarland. Kansas Rural Water Association will also be providing project assistance and support to these and other KAN STEP projects.

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