Jersey County Rural Water District-Phase IV USDA Rural Development Loan Closing
September 2, 2011
Today, Jersey County Rural Water Company (JCRWC) closed their federal loan with USDA Rural Development to allow construction to begin on their Phase IV Lake Piasa Booster Pump Station project. The project, which has been in the planning stages for several years, will consist of a new 675 gpm above-ground booster pump station and associated yard piping, which will transfer water from the Lake Piasa area to the Brighton elevated tank, improving flow capabilities to the entire northeast region of JCRWC’s water distribution system. Project funding is provided by a $770,000 low-interest loan from USDA Rural Development as well as local funds. Rob Maschhoff is USDA’s local RD Area Specialist from the Jacksonville area office.
JCRWC began in the early 1970’s to provide a safe water supply to the households throughout the entire county. The initial Phase I project was constructed in 1973. Today, JCRWC provides water to nearly 5,000 households and farms, as well as Medora, Royal Lakes, and Shipman. JCRWC also maintains over 650 miles of water main, as well as numerous storage tanks and pump stations. JCRWC buys bulk finished water from the Illinois-American Water Company in Alton. The Lake Piasa Booster Pump Station project complements two other recently completed improvement projects – the new Godfrey Booster Pump Station/Ground Storage Tank and the 16-inch water transmission main.
Management of JCRWC’s system is overseen by a volunteer Board that meets monthly, consisting of the following: Allen Davenport, President, David Elliott, Vice-President, John Maher, Secretary, William Mitchell, Treasurer, William Finkes, Wayne Kiel, and Craig Nilsson. Greg Bates is the licensed system operator and JCRWC Company Manager. John Williams is the Assistant Manager, and also licensed water operator. Rebecca Myers is the Office Supervisor. There are eight additional full and part-time employees.
Outside consultants for the Phase IV project include the following: design engineering, funding acquisition, construction administration, and on-sight construction observation is being provided by Heneghan & Associates, Jerseyville; legal services and easement preparation is provided by Scott Schultz, Jerseyville; and accounting needs are provided by Russ Hicks of Croxford & Company, Alton. Jun Construction, of Godfrey, will be the general contractor for the project. Subcontractors will include Loellke Plumbing, Richards Electric, and Navionics for SCADA/telemetry.
Present at the federal loan closing were (from left) Seth Elliott, P. E., Heneghan & Associates; Becky Myers, JCRWC office supervisor; Wayne Kiel; Greg Bates, company manager; John Maher, board secretary; Rob Maschhoff, USDA RD area specialist; Allen Davenport, board president; Scott Schultz, attorney at law; and Russ Hicks, Croxford & Co. The JCRWC is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.