BIC Water System Regionalization
Project Features
- Regional Water System Planning
- Preliminary Engineering Report (PER)
- Regional Wellfield Development
- Three Production Wells
- Future Well Expansion
- 23 Miles of Transmission Main
- Ground Storage Reservoir
- Booster Pump Station
- Regional Water Supply System
Services We Provided
- Water System Evaluations
- Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER)
- Regional Water System Planning
- Water Supply Development
- Wellfield Siting & Evaluation
- Transmission Main Design
- Pump Station Design
- Water Storage Facility Design
- Funding Assistance
- Preparation of Construction Plans & Specifications
- Preparation of Bidding Documents
- Construction Administration & Observation
Miller & Associates partnered with the communities of Arapahoe, Holbrook, Bartley, Cambridge, and Indianola to develop a regional water supply system in response to widespread drinking water quality challenges. Individual communities faced a variety of regulatory concerns, including groundwater wells under the direct influence of surface water, elevated arsenic concentrations, and excessive uranium levels that required significant treatment upgrades or replacement water sources.
To identify the most practical long-term solution, Miller & Associates completed a comprehensive Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) that evaluated regional alternatives, treatment options, and new groundwater sources. Using a site selection methodology developed by our team, potential wellfield locations were analyzed based on groundwater quality, production capacity, pipeline routing, land acquisition costs, and overall project economics.
The study determined that a regional approach provided the greatest long-term value. Arapahoe became the water supplier for Holbrook through a new transmission main, while Bartley, Indianola, and Cambridge formed the BIC Joint Water System. The project included development of a new regional wellfield consisting of three production wells with provisions for a future fourth well, approximately 23 miles of transmission main, a ground storage reservoir, and a booster pump station to reliably serve all three communities.
By combining resources into a regional system, the participating communities avoided the cost of constructing separate treatment facilities while securing a safe, reliable drinking water supply that meets current drinking water standards. The approximately $6.3 million regional project was estimated to save nearly $2.3 million compared to implementing separate water system improvements for each community.