Port of Royal Slope waterline extension to be shorter than expected
The blue line in this rough map shows the route of the proposed waterline extension to Hiawatha Industrial Park. The yellow line that runs down the middle of Hiawatha is the railroad. The gray line beyond the end of the blue line is the existing road.
ROYAL CITY - When the Port of Royal Slope commissioners opened bids two weeks ago for their waterline extension project, they were hoping to extend it to the end of Hiawatha Industrial Park.
The best bid was for plan B, a line to Hiawatha but short of the east end of the park. Businesses past the end of the proposed line will be able to connect, but it will likely cost them more than those at the west end to install a connection line.
However, it may be less costly for them in the future. Port Executive Director Cathy Potter said commissioners will seek funding for another extension.
"If somebody decides to put a business here that will create 100 jobs, I'm sure new funding will be found," she said.
Anticipated to connect so far are Simplot, CPC, the Port, Northwest Wholesale, Jenks Bros, and James Wade, Potter said. The Port will encourage the rest.
"The purpose of doing this project is to provide unrestricted potable water flow to the businesses and fire flow protection," Potter said. "Most of these businesses operate under an exempt well status, which limits them to 5,000 gallons of water a day."
"There have been some water quality issues with some of the wells," Potter added. "There is also inadequate fire protection. Businesses have been stifled and can't expand."
The extension is only one of the upgrades undertaken by the PORT since 2001. The first project was the drilling of a well and installation of a line to its own industrial park.
The second project, in 2004, installed additional water line to "loop" the entire PORS park. The third project, a new well in 2011, made it possible to serve Hiawatha.
Meanwhile, the Port has been pushing its years-long dream of activating the railroad spur that once served the area. It has been improved up to standards, and the Port waits for the state to strike a deal with an operator. Bids have already been reviewed.
The lowest qualified bidder for the final waterline extension route is Selland Construction from Wenatchee. Selland bid $452,822 without tax.
The funding comes from a federal Economic Development Administration grant of about $100,000 and Grant County Strategic Infrastructure Program funding of $260,000, with the Port funding the rest.
The new waterline will go north, by the Grant County Public Works building, cross the railroad tracks, continue north and cross Road E SW at Road 13.6 SW. It will cross Reclamation's waste ditch, then head east along Road 13.6, crossing the railroad in one more place.
"Connecting to the Port's water system will allow Hiawatha businesses to pretty much use all the water they need to operate their business and to grow. It will also open up some vacant land for new business development."
Any single business along the extended waterline route will be able to connect to the Port's water system, Potter said.
The connection fee will be $2,500. The monthly charge of $125 (500cf), will help the Port maintain the system. The charge for more than 500cf will be 61 cents per 100cf.