The University of Wyoming could receive close to $5 million to construct two new major water wells on campus.
The wells that would face replacement if the funds are approved are currently functioning below optimal performance. The well near the Buchanan Performing Arts Center is currently functioning at only 30 percent capacity, and the well near 15th and Willett street is non-functioning.
All of the water that that flows through these two wells is non-potable and is used primarily for irrigation purposes. They are responsible for turf, landscaping and nearly 3,000 trees on campus.
“The University has requested funds for these replacements for the past few years,” said Mark Collins, Associate Vice President for Administrative Operations. “This is the first time the money has been approved through both the governor and the Joint Appropriations Committee.”
The University requested $6 million for the well construction, but in the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) meeting the amount approved was reduced to $5 million.
The funding approval process is far from over, Collins noted. The legislation is still in session, with alterations to Governor Mead’s budget being debated.
“To use the standard a baseball quote, we’re still at the top of sixth inning,” Collins said. “A lot of important developments can happen between now and the end of the legislative session.”
If the funds are not approved by legislation, the University will be forced to consider alternative options, Collins said.
“We would have to continue to rely on that Fine Arts well,” said Collins. “The problem with that is the question of what kind of aquifer are we dealing with there? There’s a good chance that it’s a pocket of water that’s pretty much tapped out.”
Both of the current wells draw water from the Casper Aquifer, and the two new proposed wells would continue to do so, but would be built in different locations. Early projections indicate that one well would most likely be built near 22nd and Willett, and the second well would be located by the UW Energy Plant.
The construction of the two new wells would not only replace an antiquated water system, but would allow for the eastward growth of campus.
“There’s been a large amount of landscaping additions to campus in recent years,” Collins said, “particularly with construction of the new Visual Arts building and the renovations occurring at the fine arts center and surrounding areas.”
Due to the age of the current water system, the university’s water usage is far from efficient, Collins said. The pipes that make up the distribution system are made of cast iron, which leads to high amounts of pipe loss after a certain period of time elapses.
“The new system we want to implement is state of the art, and would cut down our water usage,” said Collins. “This is a really important aspect of the situation to consider, because if we have to continue buying large amounts of water from the city, that’s not very fiscally viable.”
The University currently purchases water from the city at a rate of $6.25 per 1000 gallons. This rate is outlined in a contract that will expire in the near future.
“It doesn’t make sense for us to be purchasing water that’s been filtered and treated by the city for irrigation usage,” Collins said.
