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Crews scrambled in 2023 to repair multiple breaks in a water pipeline that serves the twin towns of Kemmerer and Diamondville. (Kemmerer-Diamondville)<\/p>\n
Some estimate that upgrading municipal water systems across the state could cost billions of dollars.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcross Wyoming, these systems are aging, strained and, in many cases, operating far beyond their intended lifespan,\u201d Wyoming Association of Municipalities Executive Director Ashley Harpstreith told the committee. \u201cMost of the municipal water infrastructure was built 40 to 60 years ago, and communities are now facing escalating failures, emergency repairs and rising compliance costs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wyoming\u2019s small towns are in a pinch<\/a>, Harpstreith added. They must upgrade aging water infrastructure<\/a> to meet national standards, but they have among the smallest per-capita bases in the nation to generate necessary funds. While it\u2019s typically up to each town to fund its own water systems, they inevitably seek help from state and federal sources.<\/p>\n Lander Republican Rep. Lloyd Larsen suggested that a comprehensive assessment of needs will help towns understand what they might have to charge residents to pay for upgrades. It will also give state officials credible estimates when towns inevitably ask for help.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this information is going to help us make a much more educated estimate on the needs,\u201d Larsen said. That information, he added, could then help the state determine the source of financing and revenue to tap into to help municipalities get caught up and maintain their critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n The bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.<\/p>\n CLARIFICATION: This story was updated to clarify the bill was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. \u2014Ed<\/p>\n