The state of the community’s water and sewer systems, plus some recommendations for repair and sustainment of these systems, was the focus of discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council.

Brian Foster of BG Consultants presented his findings, which paint a stark picture of Ellsworth’s aging infrastructure, highlighted by undersized water mains and a significant water loss as well as other concerns that need to be addressed.

In total, the recommended options to repair and maintain the water and sewer systems would cost $48.5 million and would be done over time using a phased approach.

Foster said the 28.6 percent water loss is concerning because 10-15 percent is considered normal.

In addition, 26,000 feet of the city’s sewer main lines are 6 inches in diameter or smaller, which need to be replaced.

“The standard is 8-inch,” he said. “That has been the standard for years. This is probably the most under-constructed system that I’ve experienced.” Foster said he identified 35 locations along the sewer collection system in need manholes, which are necessary to perform maintenance and cleaning.

He also noted one spot with a 12-inch line that crosses the railroad tracks which, in particular, needs to be addressed before anything else.

As far as wastewater collection goes, Foster said Ellsworth’s system is not meeting current permit limits. He also said the lagoons need to be desludged. As a remedy, one suggestion would be to go to a non-discharging system with expanded lagoons. Foster also discussed an irrigation option similar to the one currently used at the Ellsworth Golf Course. Such a system would be designed to handle a load of 5,000 people.

Foster recommended the council consider taking a few next steps, starting with a wastewater treatment project. He suggested starting the process of looking at sites for an irrigation system, visiting with landowners and doing some geology studies on the site where the new sewer lagoons would be located.

He also suggested spending $20,000 to have a closed-circuit television camera run through the city’s waterlines in order to determine the exact condition of the entire system.

“The state is going to make you do something with your sewer treatment plant,” Foster told the council.

Foster also identified several options for funding sources the council could consider. These included the Kansas Department of Health and Environment loan program through the Environmental Protection Agency, a loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, a grant from the Kansas Water Office and funding through the Infrastructure Act.

Council members said they needed some time to digest the information in the study before deciding on a course of action.

In other business:

• Approval was given to a contract with Lucas Barta of Copeland Insurance to provide insurance services to the City of Ellsworth.

• David Pyle of Pyle Construction discussed his plan to develop available lots in Ellsworth into housing units. He is particularly interested in the lot at Eighth and Prospect, which is in the west part of Ellsworth in an area known as the Homolka Edition. The project would incorporate off-steeet parking and reserve two parcels for a potential city park, possibly including a playground.

However, several council members raised concerns. Council member Darcy Hanson was concerned about property taxes, which she noted are already high in Ellsworth.

Council member Tyler Renard said he was not in favor of the city selling the ground to Pyle or giving it to him. He also said the location is not a good spot for an apartment complex.

After some further discussion, the council told Pyle they would have a decision for him in one month.

• The council approved the process of starting a petition for abatement of 705 East Fourth St., Ellsworth.

• Updates to Article C of the city’s personnel policies and procedures manual were approved regarding the capping of comp time at 60 hours and giving staff the option to cash out vacation days.

• Approval was given to the city’s Kansas Open Records Act requests process. It includes a $25 per hour and 25 cents per page charge to respond to requests, with the charge being at the discretion of the city staff.

• Approval was given to purchase at least three tablets from Nex-Tech with the decision on price, etc. being left to City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh and City Clerk Callie Haxton.

• No action was taken after two executive sessions totalling 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel (performance) with Stambaugh and City Attorney Patrick Hoffman.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 11, at city hall.