ALBANY - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has sent notice to residents of Albany, asking for public comment on a project which seeks to replace century-old water pipes and a leaking standpipe past its prime.
DNR Environmental Review Specialist Kevin Olson sent notice Nov. 21 that the agency wants to hear from people in the area about the $900,000 project. It is one of a number of steps utilized when a municipality applies for funding through the DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan Program.
"It's just another thing for us to consider," Olson said.
Situations where an item of cultural significance may be disturbed would be included in an impact analysis, he said.
However, Olson noted that type of issue likely wouldn't apply to simple pipe replacements. Part of the application from Albany Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Gill included plans to replace undersized water mains, which need replacement because the village currently "can't adequately isolate a water main if it breaks," Olson said.
Gill said the village sought the full cost of the project through the loan program because of a lower interest rate and an easy process.
Work includes replacement of 4-inch water lines, originally installed in 1914, with 6-inch pipes spanning roughly 2,500 to 3,000 feet.
"It's not a huge amount, but it's enough," Gill said.
The re-piping will tear up parts of village roads, including two blocks of South Summit Street and a block each of West State Street, North Jackson Street and Washington Street. Gill said the city plans to begin taking bids for the project in about six weeks and start work in the spring.
The village standpipe built in 1974 will also be part of the work. It recently began leaking, and Gill said the water tower "is cheaper to replace than fix" and that people he has spoken to understand it is better to spend money on a new one rather than try to fund repairs.
"Pretty much everyone in town has been good about everything," Gill said. "We've had several meetings."
Olson will be taking comments until Tuesday. He can be contacted at 608-266-9955 or kevin.olson@wisconsin.gov. Comments can also be submitted via mail to Olson, Community Financial Assistance, Department of Natural Resources, CF/2, 101 S. Webster St. P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
DNR Environmental Review Specialist Kevin Olson sent notice Nov. 21 that the agency wants to hear from people in the area about the $900,000 project. It is one of a number of steps utilized when a municipality applies for funding through the DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan Program.
"It's just another thing for us to consider," Olson said.
Situations where an item of cultural significance may be disturbed would be included in an impact analysis, he said.
However, Olson noted that type of issue likely wouldn't apply to simple pipe replacements. Part of the application from Albany Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Gill included plans to replace undersized water mains, which need replacement because the village currently "can't adequately isolate a water main if it breaks," Olson said.
Gill said the village sought the full cost of the project through the loan program because of a lower interest rate and an easy process.
Work includes replacement of 4-inch water lines, originally installed in 1914, with 6-inch pipes spanning roughly 2,500 to 3,000 feet.
"It's not a huge amount, but it's enough," Gill said.
The re-piping will tear up parts of village roads, including two blocks of South Summit Street and a block each of West State Street, North Jackson Street and Washington Street. Gill said the city plans to begin taking bids for the project in about six weeks and start work in the spring.
The village standpipe built in 1974 will also be part of the work. It recently began leaking, and Gill said the water tower "is cheaper to replace than fix" and that people he has spoken to understand it is better to spend money on a new one rather than try to fund repairs.
"Pretty much everyone in town has been good about everything," Gill said. "We've had several meetings."
Olson will be taking comments until Tuesday. He can be contacted at 608-266-9955 or kevin.olson@wisconsin.gov. Comments can also be submitted via mail to Olson, Community Financial Assistance, Department of Natural Resources, CF/2, 101 S. Webster St. P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.