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Ground Breaking for New Water Tower Project in Barry, Illinois

Barry, Ill., April 14, 2010—The City of Barry joined USDA Rural Development Wednesday at the groundbreaking in Barry Business Park for the city’s new 200,000 gallon elevated water storage tank. Earlier in the day, the city closed on their $747,000 Rural Development loan that will help the city finance the additional new water tower and transmission main. This is one of 21 water projects in Illinois that has been funded with $36 million made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Barry needs additional water storage capacity to maintain adequate flow during peak usage. The city’s existing 100,000 gallon water tank only provides about 65 percent of the city’s average daily demand for water. The standard storage capacity is two days of average daily water use. The larger tank will meet that standard and ensure residents and businesses in Barry that they will have access to water and fire protection capability should an incident such as a major water main break or power failure disrupt water service.

Rural Development Area Director Dwight Reynolds presented the city with a commemorative certificate that acknowledges the partnership between the city and the agency on this project. “We are committed to helping rural communities have the infrastructure they need to provide for economic growth and quality of life,” Reynolds said. Also participating in the groundbreaking was Area Specialist Rob Maschhoff who has worked with Barry for more than a decade on improvements to the city’s water system.

Barry also received a $350,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help with the purchase and construction of the water tower.

Ground Breaking for Water System Expansion Project

Local leaders of the Curran-Gardner Townships Public Water District of Springfield gathered at the Curran Township Hall, in Curran, Illinois, on November 23, 2009 to break ground for the $5.6 million dollar expansion project. This project is the result of five years of planning and development designed to expand and improve water service for residents in the Water District boundaries.

Funding for the multi-million dollar project was secured through a partnership of state and federal agencies, providing low-interest loans to the Water District. Once constructed, the new system will bring the 40 year old system up to date with environmental regulations. The improvements will help the District to meet the ever increasing demands for water within the Curran-Gardner Townships Public Water District which serves more than 2,000 customers.

Several goals will be accomplished through the construction of this project:

	Water main extensions will enhance water flow throughout the system, including to Farmingdale Elementary and Middle Schools. Each of these schools has experienced low fire flow capabilities.
	Two additional water storage tanks will increase water storage capacity for treated water. This capacity will increase from the current 200,000 gallons to 1.5 million gallons. The additional storage will meet the increased demand requirements due to system growth and will provide additional water capacity in the event of emergencies.
	A standby generator will provide a backup source of power for the operation of the water treatment plant in the event of power loss. The District is currently operating without a backup source of power.
	A new production well will increase the volume of raw water available to the District, increase reliability of the system.
	The construction of a new water district office will expand and improve delivery of services to the customers of the District. The additional space will provide for a larger meeting room, allowing for more residents to attend board meetings.

Improvements are scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010.

Curran-Gardner Townships Public Water District was formed in 1966 to meet the needs of the rural population west of Springfield, and is governed by a seven member elected board. The District boundaries encompass a 93 square mile area that includes all of Curran and Gardner townships and parts of Springfield, Island Grove and Cartwright townships. The District has grown to serve more than 2,000 customers and the treatment capacity has increased to 1.2 million gallons of water per day to meet the demand of those customers.

Robert Dalton is the President of the Board and Luke Roy is the General Manager.

MECO Engineering Company of Pittsfield is the consulting engineering firm for the Curran-Gardner Townships Public Water District. Max F. Middendorf, PE is the District’s Engineer.

Bid Openings to Watch For:

City of Pilot Grove, MO: Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Water Distribution System (Jefferson City Office)

City of Clark, MO: Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Water System Improvements (Hannibal Office)

City of Bowling Green, MO Thursday, December 10, 2009

Water System Improvements (Hannibal Office)

Please call our Hannibal Office at 573-221-4048 or our Jefferson City Office at 573-893-5558 for for information about these projects or to obtain plans and specifications. We appreciate your interest in our projects.

City of Pittsfield, IL Awarded Stimulus Funds for Environmental Infrastructure Projects

Pittsfield – On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott joined Pittsfield area officials on Oct. 27 to announce the award of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or stimulus funds, for a major drinking water project. Illinois EPA is managing the award through the State Revolving Fund infrastructure program. Financing for the project will be provided by the Illinois EPA’s Public Drinking Water Supply Program, using both state and federal money, under terms made possible by passage of ARRA earlier this year by Congress and President Barack Obama.

Pittsfield has completed all of the necessary requirements to meet the “shovel ready” definition required in the law. Under ARRA, Illinois allocates the available funding based on “readiness to proceed” since one of the primary goals is to move projects forward as quickly as possible, creating badly-needed jobs as well as meeting critical infrastructure needs.

“Illinois has maximized the benefits of the federal resources being provided by President Obama,” said Director Scott. “We are now able to provide badly needed funding to Pittsfield and other large and small communities throughout the state.”

The City of Pittsfield, located in Pike County, will be using the proceeds of a $9,326,022 Public Water Supply loan to remedy major concerns about the City’s current water supply and treatment plant. Currently, raw water is obtained solely from Lake Pittsfield, which lacks adequate storage capacity and is not able to maintain the degree of treatment required for regulatory compliance. This project will provide a long-term solution for the city by funding the construction of two new supply wells, a new ion-exchange water treatment plant, as well as new main and pipe. Financing for the project will be provided by the Illinois EPA’s Public Drinking Water Supply Program, using both state and ARRA money, in a 20-year loan at zero interest, with 25 percent of the principal provided under the loan “forgiven” by state and federal funding authorities.

Jefferson City Regional Office Dedicates New Office Building

After 17 years of renting office space, our Jefferson City Office finally has it's own place to "call home". A beautiful new office at 2701 Industrial Drive was dedicated Friday, September 25, 2009, complete with a well-attended Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. MECO's principals/owners and management staff were in attendance, as were many of our employees from the Jefferson City and Hannibal Offices. We welcomed clients and friends, who all enjoyed a BBQ lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers, grilled by President Ken Woods.

Former President Robert E. Vogler and his wife Dee, traveled from St. Louis to attend the festivities. Bob, the father of Vice President Scott E. Vogler, started MECO in 1985 with Ken, who served as Vice President until Bob retired in 2001.

We want to thank the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce for their representation and support throughout the past 17 years, and for all who took the time out of their busy schedule to spend part of this special day with the MECO Family.

Ribbon Cutting: President Kenneth L. Woods, PE (Hannibal); Jerry L. Lane, PE (JC Office Manager); Vice President Max F. Middendorf, PE (Pittsfield, IL); Vice President Scott E. Vogler, PE (Jefferson City);

More news on the ARRA front from US Department of Agriculture (published May 13, 2009):

Stimulus funding slots $615.8 million for rural water

More than 190 water and environmental projects are being funded in rural communities in 34 states through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the US Department of Agriculture announced April 28.

In addition to creating or saving 12,385 jobs in those towns, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "Aging water and waste infrastructure systems threaten the ability of rural communities to provide clean, reliable drinking water to residents and protect precious environmental resources."

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.

The City of Barry, IL and the City of Vienna, MO are both on the USDA-RD's list for funded projects, published April 28, 2009. The City of Barry will receive $747,000 for water storage and distribution system improvements. USDA-RD will contribute $2,149,100 to the City of Vienna to construct a new water treatment plant and other system improvements.

ARRA funds through USDA-RD

Do you have a water or wastewater project that needs financial assistance? We can help you apply for ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act) funds for eligible projects through the USDA-RD Program.

The projects must comply with USDA-RD program requirements. Our project managers have years of experience working with this public works program and they are ready to assist you today. We will be there every step of the way during the project development, application, and approval/review phase to get your project underway.

We look forward to hearing from you to get started on your water or wastewater infrastructure project. Give us a call now at 573 221-4048 (ask for Kyle) or 573 893-5558 (Scott, Mike, or Jerry) for more information about this great opportunity.

Rushford Certified as Floodplain Manager

MECO Engineering Company, Inc. is pleased to announce that Jane M. Rushford has been certified by the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. as a Floodplain Manager. Mrs. Rushford recently attended a seminar in Osage Beach, MO, successfully completing the training course and examination to become an ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).

The ASFPM grants this certification only to those professionals who meet the requirements and complete a comprehensive examination on the programs and standards to reduce flood losses in the nation.

A graduate of Western Illinois University, Mrs. Rushford earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 1983. Jane joined MECO Engineering Company in November 2006 as a member of the engineering department in the company’s Hannibal, Missouri Office.

MECO Engineering Company, Inc. encourages the career development of our professional staff through training opportunities, especially in specialized fields of interest and disciplines. Through continuing education of our professional staff, our firm is equipped to meet the needs of our clients in today’s challenging and demanding environment.

Kevin L. Bock, PLS, named as Survey Manager in Hannibal, MO

The Management Team is proud to announce the promotion of Kevin L. Bock, PLS, to the position of Survey Manager of the Land Survey Department in Hannibal. Kevin will manage the Department (Hannibal and Jefferson City Divisions) and the Department's three survey crews. He will also oversee the daily operations of the Hannibal Division. Give Kevin a call at 573-221-4048 or email him at kbock@mecoengineering.com about your land survey project.

Ron Kliethermes, PLS, will continue to oversee the daily operations of the Jefferson City, Missouri Division. Ron can be reached at 573-893-5558 or at rkliethermes@mecoengineering.com.

Roger C. Linneman, PE Certified as Illinois Professional Engineer

MECO Engineering Company, Inc. is proud to announce that Roger C. Linneman, PE, obtained registration by the “Illinois Division of Professional Regulation” as an Illinois Professional Engineer (PE).

Mr. Linneman is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri and Kansas. Graduating from Kansas State University in 1983, Roger earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. Roger joined MECO Engineering as a Senior Engineer in the firm’s Boonville, Missouri Regional Office in July 2008. Highly respected in his specialized field of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) design, Roger’s 25 years of experience and expertise enhances the delivery of services we can provide to our clients in Missouri and Illinois.

See our PROJECTS section for more information relating to this story.

http://www.cenews.com/article.asp?id=2263

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