Scott County reports progress on new water supply district

BENTON, Mo. -- As work continues on phase one of the construction of Scott County's Public Water Supply District No. 4, officials are beginning to plan for the second phase.

"I've been knocking on doors and hanging packets," said Tim McIntyre, system manager for PWSD 4.

The project is set to be split in three phases, beginning in the south, then extending to the northwest and finally northeast parts of the county, said McIntyre. After plans being in the works for several years, lines are being laid for the first phase, with work currently being done on Highway 77 near Kelly Schools.

"It's going pretty good," said McIntyre. "We're getting closer to getting the main lines laid, and we'll be starting pretty shortly on getting the lines laid down in subdivisions."

As people see the pipes being laid, it's been generating more and more interest, said McIntyre. "They realize this is going to happen," he said.

During their meeting on Thursday, Scott County commissioners agreed, saying they've fielded quite a few phone calls.

McIntyre said that, in the area where work is being done now, there was one user signed up on Monday. As of Thursday, eight more were enrolled.

There is a $150 sign-up fee, which guarantees users a meter and hookup to their house. After that, users will pay an average $50 monthly for water.

"The first 1,000 gallons are $30, then it's $6.50 for each additional 1,000 gallons," explained McIntyre.

He urged potential users to put some thought into their decision of whether to join the water district.

"Convenience and water quality are big issues," he said. Although the $50 bill will be an extra expense "a lot of people in Scott County are paying that for water softener," he added.

"I think it's something people ought to really, really think about being a part of," he said. "Treatable water is one of the best things to leave to your kids or grandkids."

McIntyre also said potential users need to act quickly to ensure they will only end up paying the $150, not a greater signup fee.

"If you wait, you have to pay the full cost to add the lines," he said. "And if you live a ways off the road, that can get pretty expensive."

The lower initial sign-up fees are made possible through grant assistance from USDA Rural Development, explained McIntyre.

The sooner people sign up, the sooner the project can move forward, McIntyre pointed out. "We need to know we'll have enough users to get the funding and make it work," he said. "It's not just a sales pitch."

In fact, user numbers are the reason why phase one is in the southern part of the county.

"There's a greater population there," said McIntyre. "We won't have to run the lines as long. Since it's all being funded through water usage fees, we want to get as many people signed up as possible."

Anyone interested in learning more about PWSD No. 4 or who wants to sign up can call McIntyre at 887-0079.