JACKSON TO STUDY WATER SYSTEM

JACKSON -- The city is going to find out how much drinking water it should need over the next five years and the type of projects that will be required to deliver the water.

On Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen approved an agreement with Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City-based engineering firm that will create a computer model of the city's water distribution and supply network.

The model will enable the city to predict the infrastructure improvements that will be needed to bring water to the city's growing population, according to Jim Roach, the city's public works director.

"This will determine the effect of annexations and let us look at our immediate needs through the next five years," he said.

Five years out is enough for this study, although more long term models could be built, he said. "We're not going to try to take too big of a bite, but it could be updated yearly."

This is the first time the city has constructed a computer model of its water system. The study also will examine its water treatment operation.

The city just completed digging a well on the west side, giving it five, and a sixth well has been proposed for drilling next year.

Roach said he hopes the 13-week study can begin this month. The cost is $19,800.