History Of United Water
Partnership
Early in 2004, a representative group of Atchison County citizens met to discuss the idea of constructing a single-source water treatment plant in Atchison County.
Concerns Addressed
1
Aging water treatment facilities in the communities of Tarkio, Fairfax and Rock Port had been in operation for more than 30 years and were in need of expansive upgrades.
2
The City of Fairfax was faced with decreasing yield from their groundwater aquifer, resulting in production problems that previously caused residents to have to haul water for usage.
3
A new community hospital in Fairfax meant that a sustainable water source was vital.
4
The growth of Atchison County PWSD #1 had been maximized due to limited water supply.
Solution
The creation of a regional water source would allow for expansion and provision of treated, uninterrupted water to current residents as well as previously un-serviced areas.
Timeline
As a result of this meeting, a steering committee organized on May 29, 2004, to explore the possibility of forming a wholesale water commission. A feasibility study was completed in March of 2005 and in February of 2006 the Atchison County Wholesale Water Commission (ACWWC) was organized under the Joint Municipal Utility Commission Act. Atchison County PWSD #1 and the cities of Craig, Fairfax, Rock Port and Tarkio entered into the joint contract. Craig later withdrew. Operations began in 2013 and in 2018 the Commission was renamed United Water Partnership.
Financing
Community support for the Atchison County Wholesale Water Commission was available from the onset. An Atchison County Development Corporation grant helped pay for the initial engineering study, while other local organizations and individuals made donations.
Project Completion
The ACWWC received a $300,000 EPA grant as well as several Missouri DNR grants, and Farmers State Bank in Cameron provided a crucial $1.2 million loan for land purchases. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded a $12 million loan and a $10 million grant which allowed the project to be completed. Future state and federal funding are available and may be leveraged for the growing service area and necessary expansions.
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