by Tony Gonzalez
October 12, 2009 6:19 AM
A proposed $3.9 million upgrade to the Princeton (IN) water distribution system will include a major overhaul to the water plant in the northern section of town, and a new storage tower in the southern section, according to an October 11 article in the Princeton Daily Clarion (a newspaper affiliated with Tri-State Media, covering Princeton, Indiana and Gibson County.)
The new 500,000 gallon ground storage tank (which will measure roughly 35 feet tall and 50 feet in diameter) being built at the facility will improve flow capacity, said engineer Eric Smith, of the firm Hannum, Wagle & Cline. Also, a new elevated water tank will be built in the southern part of town near Cleveland Avenue. A 16-inch water main will provide service to Princeton residents.
Just last month, Princeton Mayor Bob Hurst announced that the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs pledged $2,430,400 to help fund this project. The nearly $4 million upgrade to the city’s water plant will be funded by a $2.5 million state grant, a potential 39 percent water rate raise, and possibly an additional boost from the federal government in the amount of $500,000.
Mayor Hurst commented that the city’s water rates have not increased for two decades, and a spike (for residents) may be required to assist in fixing the Princeton water distribution facility. Currently, consumers pay $22 for every 4,000 gallons of water used, which, according to Hurst, is low when compared to other regional communities.
The city is also hoping to leverage a $30,000 grant to conduct a parks study, which would assist in mapping out the needs for the Princeton’s recreational areas. Mayor Hurst said one goal would be the replacement of Princeton’s current municipal pool, which was installed almost sixty years ago.