State legislators passed the budget, which included $4.75 million for upgrades to Talkeetna’s water system.
The Mat-Su Borough had already provided about $1.15 million to begin the process of exploring water storage, moving the wells, and updating the SCADA system. The SCADA system allows monitoring and control of water distribution lines. That funding was through the American Rescue Plan. Now with nearly $6 million, Mat-Su Borough Public Works Director Tom Adams, says it significantly increases the work they might accomplish.
“We believe that with this additional money, the tank, the water source, and we can go investigate and prioritize those segments of pipe that should be replaced in order to eliminate leaking or significant deterioration.”
In recent years, the Borough upgraded the wastewater system and now the focus is on the water system. Though the cost to completely change out all the piping in Talkeetna would be in the tens of millions of dollars, Adams says he doesn’t think it’s necessary. Much of the water piping in the Talkeetna area was installed in the early 1980s.
“Like I said there’s been such a focus on the wastewater component in the past ten years that there really hasn’t been any time dedicated to the water system. Now with this money, we can update and modernize the water system and get Talkeetna into the next decade or better and give some confidence in both the water and wastewater systems.”
Representative McCabe’s push to change the definition of a village from 1,000 to 1,500 people did not pass in this year’s session. Talkeetna will not be able to apply under the Village Safe Water Act for a community water point because it is just over the maximum size. Adams indicated that this funding will not be used for a water point, but that the community might advocate for that in future budget cycles.
Explorations and design for water storage and well location will begin soon. Adams indicates that construction for the tank and wells could begin next year. He says that field exploration to identify segments of pipe that need replacement could begin while the other project components are under construction.
The budget now goes to Governor Dunleavy’s desk. If the funding is not vetoed, Talkeetna will be well on the way to an upgraded water system.
