New Madrid will extend local water service to Lilbourn

NEW MADRID, Mo. — City officials described it as “neighbor helping neighbor.”

Work is underway to design a system for the city of New Madrid to provide Lilbourn residents with water. The hookup was requested by Lilbourn city officials after recurring problems with their water system.

At a recent city council meeting, Lilbourn’s Mayor Danny Sprouse expressed his appreciation to New Madrid officials for their efforts.

“It can’t come fast enough for me,” he said about the linking of his town’s water system to New Madrid’s.

New Madrid City Administrator Aaron Griffin updated the Council and Sprouse about the work under way.

Working with the city’s Water Department Director Richard Bodi III, Griffin said they have determined the best location to link up with Lilbourn’s system would be along Highway 61 at the New Madrid County R-1 Central High School campus. The city currently has a water line extended to that area as well as electrical capacity.

Smith and Co., the city’s engineering firm, will conduct a study of Lilbourn’s water system, the distance and route for water lines, water usage and required water pressure, according to Griffin. Once the study is completed, the city would know what size pump would be required to pump water into the Lilbourn system.

Griffin estimated the city of Lilbourn’’s usage at approximately 100,000 gallons a day.

“We should have plenty of capacity for that,” he said. “But what we as a city will need to do is take some measures to ensure this runs smoothly.”

The city administrator suggested the hook up be done in the fall, when New Madrid’s water usage is typically at its lowest. Also he suggested several water system projects, initially scheduled in the next two or three years, should be undertaken prior to the transition including the rehabbing of the city’s well on St. Margaret Street and work on water filters.

Griffin expressed some concern on the lead time required to receive the proper pump needed for the project but added as soon as the engineers make a determination it could be ordered.

Lilbourn’s mayor also noted once the engineers determine a time line it will enable his community to work with the Department of Natural Resources on possible funding.

Also he and Griffin both said there are some issues remaining to be addressed. Griffin said the city must ensure any leaks in Lilbourn’s system are fixed in a timely manner. Sprouse requested New Madrid provide an emergency usage rate should there be a major fire requiring high water usage.

Sprouse said once the transition is completed Lilbourn plans to rehab its water treatment plant. Because of the costs, he said, this would be undertaken over several years. However once completed, he added, it could prove beneficial to both communities.

Also during the meeting:

• A resolution was unanimously approved authorizing the awarding of payment of $30,960 to Sunbelt Solomon for the purchase of sixteen 25-KVA transformers.

• A resolution was adopted providing the city’s support of the New Madrid County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023.

The new five-year plan involves how the city would respond in the event of a natural disaster

• Bobby Fields addressed the Council about the purchase of city-owned property for the construction of rental housing. Council members said they would study Field’s request and later asked Griffin to draw up a list of city-owned property and costs.

• Mary Claire Halterman spoke about placement of a blessing box which would provide canned food, hygiene products and other items for those in need. Councilmembers expressed their support for her idea and explained she would need to work with the property owner on placing the blessing box.