Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 21, 1990 TAG: 9006210340
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The increase would help pay for $32.6 million in improvements to the sewer and water systems.
Herbert is to make his recommendation at a special meeting of City Council's Water Resources Committee.
Herbert said Wednesday that Roanoke is facing increasing pressure from state agencies to upgrade and expand both its water filter plants and the sewage treatment plant, because they are operating "at or near" capacity.
The needed improvements to the sewer system and treatment plant are estimated to cost $43.6 million, but Roanoke's share will be $15.5 million.
Herbert said the city needs to spend $17.1 million on water facilities and $15.5 million on the sewage treatment plant and related facilities.
The treatment plant is operated by Roanoke, but serves as a regional facility. Roanoke treats sewage from Salem, Vinton, Roanoke County and Botetourt County under a contractual agreement.
Those localities will be required to help pay for the treatment-plant expansion and major new sewer interceptors, based on their volume of sewage.
Roanoke's water and sewer rates have historically been among the lowest in the state.
The combined monthly sewer and water bill for a typical Roanoke resident is $8.36, based on 4,500 gallons of water usage.
The charges for similar service in other localities is: Salem, $12.53; Roanoke County, $20.79; Richmond, $32.29; Lynchburg, $13.80; and Staunton, $15.48.
Herbert said the heavy demand during hot and dry periods can cause the water levels in storage tanks to drop, causing water-pressure problems and potential hazards in water availability for fire protection.
Herbert provided a breakdown on the proposed improvements and cost estimates for the water system:
Upgrading and expanding the Carvins Cove filter plant, $8.9 million.
A major transmission line from the Carvins Cove plant to the Delray Street pump station, $4.2 million.
A low lift pump station expansion at the Carvins Cove plant, $2.3 million.
Improvements to the water intake at the Carvins Cove dam, $645,150.
Upgrading and expansion of the Falling Creek filter plant, $1 million.
The proposed improvements and estimates for the sewer system include:
Sewage treatment plant expansion, $17 million.
Sewage treatment plant renovations, $4.1 million.
Replacement of the Roanoke River interceptor line, $17.8 million.
Replacement of the Tinker Creek interceptor line, $4.6 million.
The sewage treatment plant has a rated capacity to handle 35 million gallons of sewage a day, but the average flow has exceeded that amount in the past 13 months.
Kit Kiser, director of utilities and operations, said the flow has averaged abut 38 to 40 million gallons a day.
by CNB