For the past ten years, BMMD has worked hard to address numerous aging infrastructure problems. In early 2021, BMMD hired engineering firm SGM, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive water and sewer service rate study and long-range asset management plan. It is a process that evaluates existing system conditions, maintenance demands, infrastructure repair and replacement needs, and ways in which to fund the needed updates over the next twenty-five years.
BMMD must continue annual rate increases to meet rising maintenance, operations, and labor expenditures, including a 12% price increase by Xcel Energy. Hitting particularly hard are the prices of materials, tools and delivery of these related to recent supply chain shortages. It is BMMD’s goal to identify other funding sources such as grants or low interest rate loans to help finance costs associated with other required capital infrastructure project repairs and replacements in order to ease the financial burden on the customer. Outlined below are the new 2022 water/sewer rates. The 1st quarter 2022 bills will be mailed the first week of April.
|
Service Area |
Quarterly Water |
Quarterly Sewer |
Quarterly Total |
Billing Information |
|
Wildernest |
$60.00 |
$110.00 |
$170.00 |
1st Qtr. 2022 bills will be mailed 1st week of April 2022 and due 4/22/22 |
|
Cortina Ridge |
$90.00 |
$165.00 |
$255.00 |
1st Qtr. 2022 bills will be mailed 1st week of April 2022 and due 4/22/22 |
BMMD is committed to providing Wildernest customers with quality reliable service. BMMD strives to maintain the delicate balance between financial stability, reliable operations, and delivering services to customers at the best value. BMMD will report on the results of the water/sewer rate study once it becomes available in April 2022.
Infrastructure Updates
High elevation and extreme climates are tough on water and sewer infrastructure causing deterioration at a much faster pace. BMMD is actively addressing aging infrastructure by planning and executing improvement projects to the water, sewer, drainage and roads throughout the Wildernest community on an annual basis. However, more work is needed to sustain functionality and promote longevity. Following is a list of projects completed over the past several years and current projects planned for 2022. The following list is not a complete project list and does not include the required daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance activities, staffing and expenditures related thereto.
New Tank 2 - BMMD successfully completed the construction of a new 250,000 gallon water Tank, pump station, and 1,500’ of new water main piping. Project cost: $3.2 million
Tank 3 Rehabilitation – Completed the exterior rehabilitation and re-coating of this 50-year-old buried steel water tank in Fall 2021. Interior work will be conducted in 2022. Project cost: $500,000
Water Intake Plant - BMMD is working with Xcel energy to facilitate rebates and on-going savings once new pump control equipment is installed in 2022. Project cost: $185,000
Wells – Drought can cause stress to the water table and aquifer. BMMD must maximize well pumping efficiency and will install equipment in 2022 to help reduce pump energy demands and increase the accuracy of water produced. Project cost: $25,000+
Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) Project - BMMD has installed two underground automatic fire flow pressure reducing valve (PRV) vaults. This upgrade to the water distribution system provides automatic fire flow functionality rather than relying on manual operation. BMMD is planning to install two more PRV vaults over the next several years. Projects cost: $700,000 for two PRV’s.
Wastewater Improvements - BMMD regularly monitors the sewage collection system by conducting bi-annual camera and cleaning of the sewer main. In 2020, BMMD replaced approximately 2035 linear feet of 8" sewer main pipe, replaced 7 manholes, reconnected 9 existing sewer services and completed wetland restoration. Project cost: $580,000
Emergency Portable Generator - Should there be a power failure longer than two days, there will not be sufficient water capacity to meet customer demands without the ability to pump water which requires power. BMMD’s purchase of a portable generator enables water supply reliability during emergencies by providing backup power in the event of a power outage. Project cost: $130,000
Telemetry & SCADA Upgrades - Utilities use telemetry monitoring to keep track of the water/sewer network. BMMD is upgrading 20-year-old hardware and software to make the system more reliable and efficient. Project cost: $38,000
Roadside Drainage – BMMD will convert a section of open ditch storm sewer drainage system in 2022 to a piped, below ground system to promote road safety. Estimated project cost: $235,000
Main Valve Replacement - BMMD continues to replace water main valves throughout the District. This on-going maintenance program will help the District isolate emergency water main breaks and keep more customers in water when leaks occur. Project cost: $100,000
Replacing Old Fire Hydrants - To safeguard the public by ensuring fire hydrants are accessible and fully functioning, BMMD is conducting a fire hydrant replacement program. This program replaces old fire hydrants with new, long-lasting equipment which offers enhanced flow rates to improve fire-fighting capability. This vital work is needed to ensure that emergency services personnel have easy access to hydrants with sufficient water pressure and flow rates to fight a fire. Project cost: $30,000 annually