Athol city officials gushing over grant

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

ATHOL — The city of Athol has received a funding boost to improve its aging water system.

The city has received a $500,000 Idaho Community Development Block Grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce to help fund an estimated $3.5 million in improvements.

"We really appreciate the Athol residents supporting the passing of the water facility bond last November," said Lori Yarbrough, Athol city clerk and treasurer. "Without them, this grant would not have been awarded.”

The bond gave the city the authority to borrow funds for the water improvement project.

Voters approved bonding authority of up to $3.9 million in November, with 64 percent of the voters supporting the proposal.

"Our water system lacks system pressure needed to meet Idaho Department of Environmental Quality requirements," said Athol Mayor Mary Zichko, referring to the need for the improvements. "Undersized distribution lines affect fire flow and the city's fire insurance rating."

The block grant funds will be used for engineering fees and grant administration activities except for labor monitoring.

The improvement project will address deficiencies in system pressure, water storage and distribution. Improvements include raising the existing tank 50 feet to increase pressure, constructing a new 300,000-gallon standpipe at the cemetery tank's location, and replacing undersized water mains on Davis, Fourth, Third and Grove streets and along Old Highway 95.

Minimum fire flow requirements in Athol range from 1,250 to 2,500 gallons per minute. However, hydrant tests show the ability to produce only 200 to 1,000 gpm.

During a fire at the Merritt Brothers Lumber Company in 2017, fire crews ran out of water in an hour and a half, requiring water tenders from other jurisdictions.

"The water distribution lines would have collapsed if the fire district ran all the nozzles at the same time as the lines are too small and too old," the grant application states.

The project will also address supply and distribution deficiencies, including a new generator and electrical upgrades at the Bennett Well and a new pump, building improvements and electrical upgrades at the Grove Well.

Water distribution improvements include replacing undersized water mains on Fifth Street and at the northeast corner of Highway 54 and Old Highway 95.

Athol's water system currently serves 305 households.

Residents are starting to feel the pinch for water system upgrades.

Their monthly rates for up to 12,000 gallons increased from $20 to $34 in April.

Yarbrough said the final total project cost hasn't been determined. Bids will go out next spring for construction.

She said the water rate will likely remain at $34 until the cost is finalized. She said the city council has voted to not increase the water rate to more than $55.

A $2.68 million loan through IDEQ and $200,000 out of the city's Water Revenue Fund will provide matching funds to the black grant.