Construction for Meeker’s Quapaw 15 project has been moved back again, Meeker Town Administrator Dickie Walton said.
The project is to raise the level of the Quapaw 15 Reservoir, commonly known as Meeke Lake, and eventually provide Meeker with its own source of water.
Meeker currently buys water from Shawnee.
“Tammy Sawatsky, Consumer Program Division Director, says a new survey has been completed and is now being compared to previous surveys by state officials,” Walton said.
“Once that is done, the next step will be to start land negotiations if any are needed for easements on the project,” he said.
The Town administrator said once they get all the easements negotiated, then they will put all the dirt work out for bid.
“Then hopefully we’ll be moving dirt by November-December of 2022,” he said. “Dirt work and construction will take approximately one to two years. Should be completed by summer or fall of 2024.”
The ball park price tag on the project is $7.8 million, he said. “If the project goes over the estimated amount, the federal government will cover any additional costs,” Walton said he’s been assured by Sawatsky.
“The federal government is covering $5.5 million and $2.3 million, which is the town’s match, was secured by State Rep. Kevin Wallace,” Walton said. “Those are state funds. Another project didn’t come to fruition and he took that money and gave it to us.”
There also will be a new water tower.
Walton said his recommendation to the Town Board of Trustees was to completely rebuild the present water tower for an estimated $1.1 million rather than repair it for $700,000.
Coinciding with the Quapaw 15 dam project is complete renovation of Meeker’s water treatment.
The completely renovated plant will be in the same location as it is now.
Two engineering groups have looked at the plant, Walton said.
“The walls and floors are in good shape,” he said. “Both groups recommended to cut some holes in the south wall for 16 feet overhead doors. That way they could get in and tear out all the old metal tanks in it. That stuff has already has been deemed surplus.”
He said he figures whoever is doing the work will come in and sand blast all of the interior and exterior and then apply epoxy paint to the interior and exterior.
“Then they will start with new electrical and plumbing and install two new sand pack filter systems. They also will install a new water holding tank inside. There will be a new lab for testing and everything it takes,” he continued.
Walton pointed out, “Conservation Director Trey Lamb has pledged to cover the estimated $6.8 million price tag. Oklahoma Water Resources Authority officials have indicated the price tag could be much higher,” he said.