Garden City Public Works Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. October 10, 2013. Riley Argyle, Public Works Supervisor, said that JUB, Garden City’s Engineering Firm, is working on a water plan for Garden City.  The current model that they created is working as it should.  Tank water storage is a less expensive option than most other water sources such as drilling wells.    

JUB came up on July 9 and ran a flow test.  Additional data logs were read and the data passed on to JUB.  They also were given the City’s GIS data.  There are a few other items that they want to add to the model to determine daily high usage times, what water storage the City has in case of fire or other emergencies etc.   Right now about 90% - 95% of all Garden City’s water comes from Swan Creek.  It has been recommended that water redundancy be looked into so that there are some alternatives in case a problem or emergency should occur.  Water alternatives are a high priority for the City. 

Currently about 70% of the water from the treatment plant goes onto the land and the rest is used inside homes.  If the Hodges well works out, there were be a water source for the south end of the town–from about Brian House’s residence southward.  The Pickleville well does not have enough pressure to push water up onto the hills. 

This past summer, the highest usage was 2.800, gallons in a minute.  The plant has the capability of handling up to 3,500 gallons a minute.  The high usage this summer was less than last year by quite a bit.  Apparently citizens are trying harder to cut water usage. Also, the highest usage comes during the night time hours. 

There is a producing well now at Heritage Park and will be used to keep the pond filled with water through the winter months.  It was suggested that a new well also be dug at the City Park on Bear Lake Blvd. and use that water for irrigating the lawns there.  This would save a lot of culinary water that is currently being used at the parks. 

The Bear Lake Canal Well is being investigated. A MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) needs to be signed by Sweetwater.   Final decision on what Sweetwater will get in exchange for the wells is being negotiated.  Glenn Electric is coming to drop a camera down to check out the well.  The well is 340 feet deep and needs to be cleaned.  The City does have the necessary permit for renovating this water source. 

There are still two water meters that need to be installed on the Idaho side.  These should be finished up some time this fall. 

The main line at Lakota has been completed, and the necessary fire hydrants are in place.  Everyone has been reconnected, but there is still some road cleanup and cutting and plugging the old line that needs to be completed. 

The gun range plans have been drawn up by Danny White, the City Administrator.  Apparently there is some PR money available from the DNR that the City may be able to apply for in helping with this facility.  A MOU has been drawn up and needs to be signed by the City, the County and the State of Utah since all three entities are working together on this project. 

The Kiosk should be completed in the next week or two.  All of the materials are now available which will allow finishing up this project.  There are four lights left to be put in place.  The City is still watering the trees that were planted at the 75 North Parking Lot.  It is only necessary to water these trees about twice a week. 

The water treatment plant is doing much better since the changes were made.  There have been no alarms recently. 

The sewage at the Trail Head in Hodges Canyon will be taken care of by the Special Service District.  It will cost approximately $50 per tank.  A call will need to be made whenever this service is required. 

Pickleville Commons project is again moving forward.  UDOT signed off on the project and the  water problems have all be taken care of.   

Travis Hobbs has taken all the necessary tests to be able to spray for the City.   

All the pot holes at Hodges Lane have been filled.  The City will take care of the Vic’s Hardware sign. 

Five pallets of pellets have been purchased for the pellet stove used at the water treatment plant.  The sprinkling system at the Park has been winterized.  The bathrooms will be taken care of in the next couple of weeks.  One door will be left open at the restrooms next to the Church Parking Lot.  There is a propane heater that will keep that one unit from freezing through the winter.    It has been decided that the window at the bowery will not be replaced.  

The old pump (1973) used in the old Pickleville well stills works.  It will be used at Heritage Park to run the lawn sprinklers next year.  Another pump may be needed to fill the pond.  It will cost about $1,000 and can push about 50 gallons of water a minute into the pond.