Gillette Regional Water Supply Project
Due to a population boom in NE Wyoming during the past decade, Gillette’s current water demands have reached the capacity of current available water supplies. Existing groundwater supplies within the Fort Union Aquifer and other local aquifers within the Gillette Regional Area are dwindling. The population of Gillette and the immediate Regional Area surrounding Gillette currently exceeds 37,000. The primary purpose of the Gillette Regional Water Supply Project is to provide a new water supply, install regional extensions to serve local water districts, and make improvements to internal distribution systems of existing water districts who choose to participate. The Gillette Regional Water Supply Project will serve the Regional Area for the next 30 years, or to serve a regional population in excess of 57,000.
The Gillette Regional Water Supply Project is comprised of three separate components:
- Gillette Madison Pipeline Project. The purpose of this component is to expand Gillette’s groundwater sources in the Madison Formation, north of Keyhole Reservoir in Crook County, and provide a new treatment and conveyance system to deliver this new water supply to the Gillette Regional Area.
- District Extensions Project. The purpose of this second component is to provide extensions to serve existing water districts that are located in the Designated Service Area as established by the December 2010 Regional Water Joint Powers Agreement. These extensions will connect the facilities constructed as part of the “Gillette Madison Pipeline Project” up to a wholesale master meter connection for each participating regional water district.
- Water District Internal Improvements Project. The purpose of this final component is to make improvements to the water distribution systems for each individual participating regional water district, downstream of the wholesale regional master meter connection.
Gillette Madison Pipeline Project
The total project budget for the Gillette Madison Pipeline Project is $217,600,000. Of this amount, 67% is funded by State Grants and 33% through a PMTF Loan, both of which are being administered by the WWDC. During a May 3, 2011 Special Election, Campbell County Voters approved $75 million from future revenues received through a Specific Purpose Excise Tax (Capital Facilities Tax) to pay-back the PMTF Loan. Collections for this 1% Specific Purpose Excise Tax will commence on October 1, 2011.
Enrolled Senate Act No. 36 was approved by the 2011 Wyoming Legislature and Governor. In accordance with this Act, the anticipated grant and loan revenue will be appropriated as follows:
Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, with assistance from a team of sub-consultants, is under contract with the City of Gillette to perform design services for this project. The overall project has been segmented into multiple phases. These phases form the basis for future construction contracts that will be completed during the next 5 years. A 2016 project completion is anticipated.
- Engineering Design, Permitting, ROW (Includes Test Wells CA and WYDOT Hwy 50 Eng)
- Well Field Facilities:
- 2 Madison Formation Test Wells
- 3 New Madison Production Wells
- Well Field Piping, Pumps and Equipment
- Transmission Pipelines:
- WYDOT Hwy 50 Water Line - Westover to Lakeway Transmission Line
- Westover to Southern Dr Tank Transmission Line
- Southern Dr Tank to WYODAK Transmission Line
- Hwy 51/"D" Road to WYODAK Transmission Line
- Donkey Creek PS to WYODAK Transmission Line
- Sta. 2300+00 to Hwy 51/"D" Road Transmission Line
- Pine Ridge to Sta. 2300+00 Transmission Line
- PS1 to WYODAK Pipeline Extension
- Pine Ridge Facilities:
- Pine Ridge Potable Water System
- Pine Ridge Storage Tank
- Pine Ridge Disinfection Facility
- Electrical Contracts:
- Donkey Creek PS Electric Transmission Line
- Donkey Creek PS Electrical Substation
- Madison PS Electrical Substation
- Pine Ridge & New Well Field Electric Distribution System
- SCADA and Telemetry System Improvements
- Donkey Creek Pump Station
- In-Town Treated Water Storage Reservoirs
District Extensions Project
The total project budget for the District Extensions Project is $60,000,000. The City of Gillette, on behalf of Campbell County and the regional Water Districts has requested a 67% grant to fund design engineering, permitting, easement acquisition and construction through the Wyoming Water Development Commission Level III Construction Program. During a May 3, 2011 Special Election, Campbell County Voters approved $20 million from future revenues received through a Specific Purpose Excise Tax (Capital Facilities Tax) to pay-for the required 33% match. Collections for this 1% Specific Purpose Excise Tax will commence on October 1, 2011.
Water Districts Internal Improvements Project
Regional Water Districts have the opportunity to request Level II Planning Studies funded 100% by the Wyoming Water Development Commission. These studies will evaluate the condition and operations of existing water districts, and make recommendations for improvements. Upon completion of these localized planning studies, Regional Water Districts may choose to request additional grant funding – up to 67% of the total project costs – to fund detailed engineering designs and construction through the Wyoming Water Development Commission Level III Program. The individual Regional Water District requesting construction funding for their internal water system improvements will be responsible to fund the 33% local match. Financial assistance to offset the 33% local match for the internal improvements is available from other programs like the USDA Rural Development Rural Utilities Service of Campbell County’s District Assistance Program. State Loans are also available.
Continued financial and technical support for this Gillette Regional Water Supply Project from the State of Wyoming and the Wyoming Water Development Commission will ensure basic water service will be available to meet Gillette’s anticipated growth and sustain Wyoming’s dominance as a national energy provider.