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The Orchard City Board of Trustees is moving forward sketching out details of its planned two-inch-diameter water supply cross-connection with the Coalby domestic water system.

Trustee water committee member Jimmie Boyd noted that discussions with the Coalby users have been moving forward on a friendly businesslike basis and that no notable disagreements have arisen.

During a March 6 work session, the town board talked about a number of possible details for the emerging agreement and project. They include the following ones:

• The two-inch cross connection would allow water to flow from Orchard City's new West Main line into the Coalby system. The connection will be secured individually and separately by the town and by Coalby.

• The connection will have a back flow preventer ensuring that water does not flow from the Coalby system into Orchard City's.

• The back flow preventer will be subject to the same inspection and maintenance requirements as those of other outside-of-town private water companies the town utility serves.

• The cross connection will be for "emergency use only." The Orchard City mayor will be the responsible official for determining when an emergency exists.

• Elements of an emergency designation will be defined in any final agreement and deal with issues such as drought or mechanical failure; how long water may be supplied in any emergency; conditions of supply, i.e. hours of usage, amounts, etc.; a provision that the town's water supply needs have priority over any others; that the Coalby system will pay all costs for installing the connection and meter and for maintaining its back flow preventer.

The issue of monthly fees or the $5 per tap monthly capital improvement charge paid by the town's other outside customers was not addressed at the work session.

The water rate charged will be set by town board resolution. Currently, other private companies pay $2.31 per 1,000 gallons, said Melissa Oelke, town clerk.

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