New water well in store for Dix

For nearly a year the Village of Dix has been operating without one of its three water wells. The village’s back-up water well, drilled in 1954, succumbed to erosion sometime last fall.

“Sargeant Irrigation came out and we had them run a camera down it,” said village clerk Sharon Villareal. “I think that was early spring, like March. We went through the whole summer without it.”

The main well, drilled in 1964 and relocated in 1971, has been keeping up with demand to date. However, Villareal is unsure how much longer that will be the case.

“We have to re-drill the number two well because one won’t keep up, though winter is coming so we won’t have any watering issues,” Villareal said. “So our water project is to drill a new well and then replace some of the valves that are old.”

The village is currently waiting for word from its engineering firm, Baker and Associates of Scottsbluff, before the bidding process progresses.

“I was kind of hoping they would get started on it this year, but I don’t see that happening. I can’t imagine they would want to do that kind of job in the winter, so maybe next spring,” she said. “So we are just waiting right now.”

The village currently has one of the lowest water rates in the state. Its current water bond dates back to when its new water tower and meters were installed several years ago. The new bond will increase the village’s water rates.

A grant request for $272,000 was approved as well as an additional loan for $344,000, based on a estimated cost of $616,000. If the project costs less than expected, the grant funds will be reduced first, so the village will be required to take out a loan for the project.

“Unfortunately we have been told by the USDA that our rates will have to increase,” Villareal said. “I find that frustrating.”