Minden works out historic water deal

Agreements that may make Minden a water provider for Carson City and beyond came under scrutiny on Tuesday.

Minden Town Board members worked on the agreements for three hours as county commissioners Greg Lynn and Dave Brady, Douglas County Manager T. Michael Brown, Douglas County Director of Public Works Carl Ruschmeyer and Carson City Public Works Director Andy Burnham watched from the audience.

The agreements are critical to construction of a $21 million pipeline between Minden and Carson City that will serve Indian Hills residents along the way.

The specific agreements are between Minden and Douglas County to provide wholesale water service, Minden and Carson City for purchase of water rights and Minden and Indian Hills for water service. Minden attorney George Keele described the agreements as interlocking.

"None go through unless all are approved," he said.

Minden Engineer Bruce Scott said the agreements will allow Minden to help solve water problems in Indian Hills and Carson City, and could end up serving places as far as Silver Springs.

"We are at a very significant point in Minden's water history," he said. "The agreements for a regional frame work for a water system that started 15 years when Minden changed it's point of use to include the entire Valley. A regional system has been sought for a long time. It has also been feared."

Transporting the water will require the construction of a pipeline between Minden and Carson City. Supplying the water will require the construction of booster pumps, water tanks and wells.

Minden has already paid for a 24-inch line to Heybourne Road, where it is supplying the county's East Valley Water System. The town paid for the line, and will be reimbursed by the county.

Scott said Carson City is proposing to purchase $10 million in water rights from the town.

The water system will provide a means for emergency water supplies throughout Western Nevada.

Burnham estimated that Carson City will have to pay $32 million for its portion of the pipeline, the infrastructure to connect in the capital and the water.

Indian Hills is expected to pay up to $4.5 million to connect to the new pipeline and for its portion of the pipeline north.

Douglas County is paying $3.2 million for the pipeline, and will be the broker for water that passes through it.

Between water rights and improvements needed to supply water, Minden has $20 million in the project.

"We're just in the wholesale business," Hadfield said. "It's important residents of the town know the substantial commitment that's been made on their behalf."

Hadfield credited Minden's board with looking ahead to the day when they would be water purveyor to Western Nevada.

"I'd like to see some appreciation for the forward thinking this board and previous board have done. This is an important partnership and we are a big part of that partnership."

Scott said that once the agreements are in effect, the town will have to split its rate paying structure, so that townspeople aren't subsidizing the pipeline, but are maintaining the town's water lines, some of which are a century old.

"The benefits of additional pumping capacity and additional storage will benefit everyone."

Minden Town Board members are expected to discuss approving the agreements at their regular town board meeting on Jan. 6.