Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Kansas Road water project begins

For 117 households out in the country on Kansas Road, getting a reliable water supply has been a dream since 1997. The project is now under way.

Whelen Mayor Terry LeMay said Tuesday, "There will be 27 miles of pipe laid from Whelen Springs to the Ouachita River by Sparkman within the next 180 days (six months).

"We will also be putting up an 85,000 gallon water tank on Pigg Loop Road. But more importantly, there will be water available for the households that have signed up to hook on within this same 180 days."

According to LeMay, Kajaks Construction, out of Maumelle, was to begin laying pipe on March 1. More than $100,000 worth of pipe was piled next to Whelen City Hall this past week. In regard to the PCP pipe, there was 25,000 feet of 6-inch pipe, 56,000 feet of 4-inch pipe, more than 33,000 feet of 3-inch pipe and more than 33,000 feet of 2-inch pipe.

The total cost of the project, not counting the water tank and its installation, is $581,048.30 for the pipe and its installation. The tank, which is to be 15 feet by 65 feet, went to All State Tank, of Grove, Okla., because of the low bid of $103,323.24 to put it up and get it operational.

"Although this project was nearly $100,000 more than we thought it would be, after seven years of negotiating cost, the funding came through in December from United States Department of Agriculture and Soil and Water," LeMay said. "This is an exciting time for the 117 residents who have waited on this project to get a reliable water source. Some have been on well water, and others have no water at all."

The 27-mile route of new water line for service will be hooked to the existing 100,000 gallon water tank at Whelen Springs, go down Ealee Lane on the outskirts of Whelen Springs, go to the Bethlehem Church down McKenzie Road, and down to Kansas Road. The water will be gravity fed from Whelen Springs and involve new pumps in the pump station out of Gurdon.

To find the new tank site, go down Kansas Road about 14 miles and then turn just past Hammonds Chapel on Vaden Road to the left toward Vaden. LeMay said between four and five miles down is Pigg Loop Road, where the tank will be constructed.

Carl J. Meurer Jr. project engineer from Blaylock Threet Engineers of Little Rock, was instrumental in negotiating the funding from USDA and Soil and Water. He said the water being used belongs to Gurdon. The line will stop at the river.

"The project is funded in part by a grant from the USDA, Rural Development, and a loan from the Soil and Water Conservation," Meurer said. "It is about half grant and half loan."

LeMay said the citizens already signed up to hook onto the line were charged $150 to do so. All 117 homes paid that amount.

The mayor said those wanting to hook onto the line at this late date must pay $680 because of it being $4 a foot for line cost to expand the service to more homes.

"The higher cost is because we have to go back and buy more material and pipe. As to when they can use the water, everything will have to be tested and inspected but things should be operational in August or September," LeMay said.