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Water consortium seeks to expand rural water service
MINOT, N.D. (AP)--Three rural water systems are joining to try to bring water to 1,000 or more homes and farms in north central North Dakota through what organizers call a "neighbor helping neighbor" policy.
The North Central Rural Water Consortium's plan would dissolve service boundaries among rural water districts, said Blair Olafson, treasurer of the consortium's board of directors.
The consortium includes the North Prairie Rural Water Association, Central Plains Water District and the McLean-Sheridan Rural Water system. Together,they serve about 2,800 water users in about a dozen counties.
The consortium so far has signed up more than 900 homes and farms for a feasibility study. Organizers say about 90 percent now haul water.
Olafson said the goal is to get rural water to as many users as possible. "We're not going to make any money on this--it's just a matter of getting rural people water," he said.
Ralph Packulak, manager of North Prairie Rural Water Association and chairman of the consortium, said the group wants to use as much existing infrastructure and staff as possible to serve new customers. Creating a separate system for the remaining areas would cost too much, Packulak said.
A workable water system consists of 850 to 1,000 members, he said.
The consortium is considering purchasing water from cities for rural areas.
North Prairie currently buys about 70 percent of its water from Minot. The same type of agreement could give other cities a chance for more revenue, Packulak said.
Another possibility is working with Indian tribes to supply water to some rural areas.
"They have some of the best run water systems in the state," Packulak said.
The new water users will pay for the service through hookup fees and monthly bills. The consortium is looking at other funding sources, including state and federal programs.
"When you look at a big project like this, you definitely need some grant help," Packulak said. The consortium aims to provide a financial tool and a bigger voice, he said. Each water system still has its own board of directors and operates independently.
The goal of the consortium is to get the number of new signups to at least one customer per mile, he said.
Date: 4/21/04
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