VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Earlier this year, the City of Valley City approved the removal of two existing water storage facilities: The first would be the standpipe located at 12th Street NW and 5th Avenue NW, and second would be the water tower located at 9th Street NW and 5th Avenue NW. These structures would be replaced by a new water tower.

Moore Engineering Senior Project Manager Tracy Eslinger said the existing water standpipe has a leaking foundation that results in significant annual water loss and costly repairs. Similarly, the existing water tower at 9th Street NW and 5th Avenue NW requires repairs and ongoing maintenance.

But he said the estimated cost to build a new water tower is over budget.

Eslinger said another option would be the removal of the National Guard Water Tower near 7th Street SE and 7th Avenue SE and refurbish it on 12th Street NW and 5th Avenue NW.

He said the National Guard Tower has not been in service for several years and is no longer needed for the City’s water system.

Eslinger said the repurposed water tower will streamline the City’s water distribution zones, reduce operational and maintenance costs, improve water pressure in historically low-pressure areas, and expand overall water service coverage.

The city commission has not approved any plan yet and is studying both options before making a final decision. Here is a portion of Eslinger’s presentation to the city commission.