JACKSON CONSTRUCTING THIRD WATER TOWER

JACKSON -- Even with Jackson's third water tower under construction, City Administrator Steve Wilson said the city will have to continue looking into improving its water supply.

The concrete was poured three weeks ago for a 190-foot-high, 300,000-gallon water tank near the junction of Highway 61 and Interstate 55 on Old Appleton Road. The tower should be in operation by Oct. 31, Public Works Director Tom Morris estimated, although painting will continue after that.

Completion of a new tower is good news for residents of Jackson's east side, who have complained about low water pressure.

The worst problem came on Dec. 9, 1994, when McDonald's burned down. While the fire was well under way before firefighters were alerted, city officials admitted that low water pressure may have been a factor in fighting the blaze.

In addition to putting so many gallons of water in the air, the city will work on line looping, a process to connect most of the city's water system. The improvements will allow residents to be serviced even if one part of the system breaks down.

Total cost is $539,000 for the tower and $350,000 for water line improvements, but Fire Chief Gary Niswonger said it is money well spent.

"I know the department feels better about it, and it should make the residents feel good to know they have more water pressure," he said.

Even with this major project, Jackson's search for solutions to a water problem isn't over. The city is growing quickly, and Wilson, the administrator, said engineers will be searching for additional water sources soon.

The industrial park's water supply is a concern, too. Wilson tried to get an economic development grant that would allow for construction of a water tower in the park but couldn't.

A provision for obtaining the grant was that the additional water would be tied into creating 50 new jobs. A workforce expansion expected at Lee-Rowan didn't materialize, so Jackson was disqualified for now.

Wilson said the grant process isn't over yet.

"The industrial park is an area where there will have to be more water," he said. "We could get 50 more jobs at any time if one of our industries expands. The day that happens, we will try to pull it all together."