By Kendal Bates

MENDON -- The results of Lar West Engineering's water survey could mean changes in the near future for Mendon.

Wayne Andersen, the City Council member who oversees water issues, said if every household in Mendon was running water during a fire emergency, the fire hydrants wouldn't have enough pressure to operate, under the city's current water system.

The water problems can be, at least to some extent, attributed to Mendon's growth. The Taylor subdivision was named as a possible problem area.

Fire Chief Ray Olsen said the new Taylor subdivision is producing only 45 psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure compared with 125 psi, which is the average for the rest of Mendon. He also said the fire engine runs on 125 psi.

Lar West Engineering recommended in its water survey report that a new 500,000 gallon reservoir be built to replace the 300,000 gallon tank currently being used. It also recommended that all water pipes in the city less than 6 inches in diameter, be taken out and replaced with new 8-inch pipes.

Andersen said the projected cost of the job would be around $530,000, with the new reservoir alone costing around $230,000.

Raising the money for such a job was a big concern for council members. Paul Cressall, city clerk, said raising water rates wouldn't begin to cover the cost of the project. p>Only a small part of the project's cost would be subsidized by the state. Mendon would have to come up with the balance. There is only $48,000 currently in the water fund. Most council members agreed that phases of the project would have to spread out over years for the city to be able to afford it, and most agreed that the situation was not an emergency.

Fire Chief Olsen said that for the fire hydrants not to operate properly, all the taps in Mendon would have to be running at the same time, and at full blast. He didn't see that there was a critical or hazardous situation, but did concede that something would need to be done eventually.

Mayor Sid Larsen said, "We need to look at it, but we can't spend anything right now." In other business, the Council:

-- Heard there are 17 residents in Mendon who owe more than $12,000 in late water bill fees. One owes more than $1,800.

-- Received a $40,000 land donation made to build the new fire station under the conditions that the donor remain anonymous, and the old fire station be torn down.

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