Laurel Drive lift station going out to bid

The City of Saluda is seeing a $2,100 per month reduction in monthly water purchases from the City of Hendersonville since a recent repair of a broken water line on Greenville Street. Saluda is also ready to send out bids for its Laurel Drive lift station repairs.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 11 and heard from finance officer Julie O’Steen that the bill for water purchases from Hendersonville has decreased by $2,100 since the repair of the water line. Prior to the leak being fixed, Saluda was purchasing $168 per day from the City of Hendersonville.

Saluda Water and Sewer Commissioner Stan Walker also mentioned the decrease, saying the savings will help the city’s funding of repairs to its water system.

The city reported the major water leak during its March meeting that occurred behind the fire station along Greenville Street. Prior to discovering the broken water line, Saluda was experiencing a 70 percent loss of water.

Saluda officials said in March the leak was likely using 50,000-60,000 gallons of water per day and predicted the fix would significantly cut down on the city’s water loss.

Saluda has recently had major issues with its aged water and sewer system and has approved a capital improvement plan to pay for approximately $2 million worth of needed repairs. The city has increased its water and sewer rates recently to pay for those repairs. Saluda recently borrowed $150,000 from its fund balance to begin repairs to its Laurel Drive lift station, which includes the replacement of the discharge line from the lift station to the corner of Hwy. 176 and Ozone Drive. The city is applying for a $2 million loan to complete 14 projects and the increase in rates is expected to pay back the loan, as well as the city’s fund balance.

During last week’s meeting, city manager Jonathan Cannon said the final paperwork for repairs to the Laurel Drive lift station has been signed, which will allow the city to begin taking bids for the project.

The lift station repairs will include replacing approximately 4,000 feet of the discharge line as well as repairs to the lift station’s plumbing and electrical and adding a notification system. Eventually the city hopes to replace the entire Laurel Drive lift station.

Saluda is applying for a loan from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for approximately $2 million for the city’s entire capital improvement plan.

The rate increases to pay back the loan have already gone into effect and include a $10 per month added system maintenance fee for all customers and increases to the base bill as well as increases to rates per 1,000 gallons of usage over the minimum.

Additional increases have already been approved for years 2017 and 2018.

Cannon said earlier this year he hopes for construction at the Laurel Drive lift station to begin this summer.