Pumping up the cost

According to Public Works Director Mac Erickson, Oneok Pipelines has presented a water use agreement with the City of Sundance while it builds the Elk Creek Pipeline through Crook County that includes the use of the city’s hard water well. Mostly utilized by local ranchers and WYDOT, the well operates on the honor system at a cost of $5.30 per 1000 gallons.

Oneok, however, wants to draw 725,000 gallons from the well, not to exceed 116,000 gallons per day. This would cost $3842 at current rates.

“If they pump as much as they say they are going to, it’s barely going to cover the power bill, let alone to replace the pump,” said Erickson, sharing his concern that the well pump has not even been examined in recent history and will eventually fail.

As pointed out by Clerk Treasurer, signing a water agreement would obligate the city to fix the pump as quickly as possible if it failed during the time Oneok was operating in the area. This potential cost could be in the thousands, if not the tens of thousands.

Erickson suggested that the city council consider charging a little more for use of the well. He noted that Douglas charges $10 per 1000 gallons and $15 for agreements of this nature, but that, unlike in Sundance, the hard water well is treated.

Because the well sees regular use, and is mostly used for purposes that do not require treated city water, Erickson expressed his desire to ensure it keeps operating. However, he asked, is it fair to raise the rates just for this agreement?

“Even at $10 per 1000 gallons, we’re not getting rich by any means,” he said, explaining his thought that the extra would ultimately be put towards replacement of the pump.

Mayor Paul Brooks expressed his opinion that there is a likelihood Oneok could actually be the ones to run out the pump and proposed $10 per 1000 gallons for the agreement. City Attorney Mark Hughes did not believe there was a statutory reason it could not be done, but asked for time to go back and check before confirming.

On this basis, the council approved the suggested rate pending Hughes’ final opinion and also approved the mayor’s signature on the agreement at that time.