City
of Formoso
Project and Impact
The project proposed is the complete
reinstallation of the city's water distribution system which was first installed in 1929.
This would include all lines, valves, hydrants, meters and household connections.
Project need is supported by the fact the current
system has been averaging 5 line-breaks per year for the past four (4) years and has an
unaccounted for average water loss of 28%. Four (4) years ago the system experienced an
even greater number of line-breaks. Changes were finally made when the city chose to
reduce line pressure following one (1) 30-day period when the system sustained 6 breaks.
Then too, the Formoso fire department is
currently restricted on its use of hydrants. Three (3) of the twenty (20) present are
painted black as a warning not to use them at all. Another five (5) are suspect and
avoided. The remainder are considered useful. However, the city does not flush any of the
hydrants as required by law for fear of collapsing the entire system with the sudden
pressure surge that occurs upon closure.
Implementation of the project will benefit 71
households and 4 non-residential places by ensuring them a continuous, reliable supply of
potable water for personal and business use. It will further enable the community to
provide effective fire control if and when it is needed, since the new system will have
the ability to support high-pressure hoses. The new system will also permit the city to
meet Kansas law that requires the flushing of hydrants.
64% of the citizens are LMI according to
HUD figures. This is underscored by the fact the average per capita income in 1990 was
$6,654. This was but 68.6% that of Jewell County's average PCI. A new water system will
reduce, if not entirely remove, the annual unplanned expense of line repair and enable the
city to commit all funds so saved to meeting other community needs. What few tax dollars
that are paid will thus be more effectively utilized. LMI people therefore benefit not
only from the new system, but also from other capital improvements to local
infrastructure.
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