Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today announced Tuesday that the City of Lincoln will conduct a comprehensive study to determine the best solution for Lincoln’s long-term water needs.
She also announced the formation of the Mayor’s Water Source Advisory Council, a group of community and business leaders who will advise the City’s efforts to identify and secure a second source of water – a project called “Water 2.0: Securing Lincoln’s Second Source.”
While current projections and plans indicate that Lincoln has adequate water supply for the next 26 years, Mayor Gaylor Baird says they need to begin planning now to ensure that the Lincoln Water System has the capacity to meet the demand of a growing city.
“This effort will be the largest and singularly most important public works project for Lincoln’s growth, health, and vitality into the future,” Gaylor Baird says. “Identifying and securing a second source of water will strengthen our economic and environmental resilience for decades to come.”
Liz Elliott, the Director of the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department, will serve as City Lead. She says the first step is to conduct an alternatives analysis. Olsson has been contracted to help the City and the Mayor’s Water Source Advisory Council navigate complex design, construction, financial, legal, and governance options. The analysis is scheduled to be completed early next year.
The analysis will cost about $3.1 million. Elliott said the total cost of establishing a second water source will range between $350 million and $750 million.
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