OTTAWA — Ottawa city commissioners have applied for a nearly $3.3 million state loan and approved an increase in city water rates to help pay for it. The increase will be used for city water system improvements. A key improvement is a new raw water line between the Marais des Cygnes River and the city water plant, which would be a second line between the river and plant, Mayor Mike Skidmore. The second water line will back up an aging raw water line. He said without the backup, the city would face an emergency if the single line were to break or fail. Other projects include a new clearwell at the water plant, replacement of older lines, and a new water line that would serve the new Rock Creek industrial park southeast of the city. The five-percent rate hike will add $1.40 to the average monthly residential bill next year, and $1.55 to the average monthly residential bill in 2017 and 2018.
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.
