By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
April 4, 2001
Hoping to increase water pressure in North Meridian, the city council voted unanimously Tuesday to begin accepting bids for the construction of a new water tank.
With rapid growth in the northern part of town in recent years residents began to complain about a decrease in water pressure that often made lawn sprinklers and shower heads dribble rather than spray.
Meridian Public Works Director Benny Wolfe showed council members initial plans for the one-million-gallon tank that will eventually sit across Highway 39 North from the city's Northeast Park softball complex.
The steel tank will have a circular concrete bottom. The city will accept bids for the tank's construction until May 1 and the estimated time frame to complete the project is 400 days.
The tank's extra storage capacity will increase the city's total emergency water supply from three to perhaps five days, according to Wolfe.
Mayor John Robert Smith said it took several years to find the right location for the tank.
Smith said the elevation of the tank will give the city enough pressure for any future growth in the northern part of the city.
In addition to alleviating most of the city's water pressure problems, the tank's pressure is expected to help improve the city's fire rating.
Ward 1 Councilman Dr. George Thomas, whose ward was experiencing the majority of the pressure problems, said although it will take a lot of time to construct the tank the relief will be well worth it.
Wolfe said city employees will have space to store items or create a small office at the bottom of the tank.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.