County authorizes pipeline finance plan

Douglas County commissioners have approved the final piece to begin work on a $21 million water system to interconnect the major water suppliers in the region.

Proponents say the pipeline project will provide regional benefits, protect Minden's abundant water supply from outside interests, and solve water quality problems for Valley users.

Indian Hills General Improvement District approved connection to the pipeline July 15 and Carson City accepted the North Douglas County Water System Analysis on July 16.

Minden Town Board followed suit Aug. 5, and the next day, county commissioners approved the analysis and directed staff to prepare a financing plan.

"I'm really pleased and excited to be here, on the threshold of putting this catalyst together," said Bruce Scott, Minden's engineer.

"This is a critical milestone for Minden, Douglas County and our region. If we can make this connection, it solidifies the water rights the town holds," Scott said.

All entities adopted a plan which pumps water from the Town of Minden to the East Valley water system; water is then conveyed to north Douglas County with a hydraulic grade line set by the Johnson Lane water tank.

Further advantages to the plan are the ability to implement improvements in phases, deferring a significant amount of the cost; full utilization of the capacity of the existing 24-inch water line on Heybourne Road; and providing a supply and buffer to the pumps stations moving water to north Douglas County and Carson City via the water tanks in the East Valley water system.

County staff outlined benefits to the project including facilitating arsenic compliance for Douglas County and Indian Hills; providing a backup water supply and capacity for future growth in Douglas County's north county and west valley water service areas, and increased operational flexibility.

The project also supports efforts to consolidate and stabilize rates for county-owned water systems.

Scott told the town board on Aug. 5 that Minden won't be putting any more money toward the pipeline. The town completed an extension of a 24-inch line up Heybourne Road to the airport extension.

Town funds will go toward assuring delivery of the water.

"The Town of Minden will take complete responsibility to develop, store and supply the water. We would be wholesalers, not retailers. The money Minden is investing is coming from the sale of water rights, not from the (Minden) ratepayers," Scott said.

Minden is financing the town's water improvements by selling 1,000 gallons per minute of water to Vidler Water Co., a Carson City firm that helped construct the pipeline between Carson City and Lyon County in exchange for water rights.