CITY PROJECTS/CITY PROGRAMS            

2006 Street Program Chlorides Reduction
Bike Trail Grease Trap Inspection
South Highway 120 Relocation Water Meter Conversion
Street Department Cross-Connection Inspection
Other City Projects of Interest  

                2006 Street Program            

The following is the 2006 street maintenance list of proposed street project work:

  • Alley in the Downtown north of Main Street from Sage to Cook Street.

  • Wrigley Drive from Main Street to Broad Street including some curbs.

  • Broad Street from Main Street to Geneva Street.

  • Main Street Parking area from the Library west to Maxwell Street.

                Bike Trail                                                                                                (to top)

Phase II bike trail construction is complete.  The remaining work includes:

1. Veterans Park interior pathways.

2. Bloomfield Road connection to the Middle School.

3. South Street in front of Big Foot State Park to Bonnie Brae Lane.

4. Parallel to Townline Road but north from the old railroad right-of-way at Curtis to Edwards Boulevard.

MAPS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & CITY HALL.

              South Highway 120 Relocation                                                   (to top)

(COMPLETE)

           Street Department                                                            (to top)      

THE CITY OF LAKE GENEVA STREET DEPARTMENT IS LOCATED AT 1065 CAREY STREET.  CITIZENS MAY CONTACT THE SUPERINTENDENT AT 248-6644 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.  SUMMER HOURS BEGIN APRIL 3RD.  THEY ARE 6:30 AM TO 3:30 PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 6:30 AM TO 10;30 AM. 

OFF-HOUR EMERGENCY CALLS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

                Chlorides Reduction                                                                (to top)  

Background

It is estimated that most of the groundwater in the US has some degree of hardness. Basic hardness is produced by the presence of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water. These minerals, if not removed from your water, may build up as scale on pipes and porcelain or metal fixtures. They cost water-heater elements. They many cause increased laundry detergent usage.

 The Problem

The chlorides discharged from home water softeners end up at the wastewater treatment plant. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is asking the Commission to reduce these chloride levels.
How Water Softeners Work
 (A Technical Explanation)

Home water softening is one good way of removing hardness from water coming to your house. Hard minerals are attached to a man-made resin in your home water-softening unit. The resin bed is first washed with a salt bring )sodium chloride dissolved in water).  As hard water passes through your softener, the hard minerals (calcium and Magnesium) are exchanged for sodium in the resin bed. The hard minerals take the chloride portion of the salt brine and form altered minerals (calcium chloride and magnesium chloride). The resin has a certain exchange capacity. When that capacity is reached, it is time to regenerate the resin. During regeneration, the altered minerals are flushed into the drain. A new salt brine is passed over the resin. Extra salt is flushed down the drain. This process usually happens by a preset timer or by a preset flow demand meter during the night, around midnight.

Questions & Answers

So what is the problem?

Chapter NR 140-Groundwater Quality establishes groundwater quality standards for substances detected in the groundwater resources of the state. Due to home water softeners, the Commission's plant discharge is higher than allowed by the WDNR

Why can't we remove the hardness in our water treatment plant or remove chlorides in our wastewater treatment Plant?

Construction of facilities to remove hardness at our water treatment plant or remove chlorides at our wastewater plant would cost approximately $2 to $4 million, and would cause a sharp increase in overall rates. Due to the extreme costs, these alternatives are not being considered by the Commission at this time.

What is our city doing about our chloride problem?

The Lake Geneva Utility Commission is working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reduce the impact of chlorides entering our groundwater. As we did a few year back, we have teamed up with Culligan Water Conditioning of Burlington to assist us with the program. They helped us with the pilot program going into home and businesses throughout Lake Geneva to adjust equipment to make them more efficient reducing the chlorides going into the wastewater treatment plant. Our goal is to reduce the chloride concentration entering our environment by reducing the rate of slat used by your water softener, while still delivering continued quality water.

What is the benefit to the home owners?

Data obtained from the program will help the Commission determine the most practical and cost-effective approach to reducing chlorides entering the sewer system. This , in turn, will simply help keep long-term sewer rates down. You also may see some reduction in your water and salt usage, thus saving you money!

Can I have my current system checked and adjusted as well as a free evaluation and estimate if needed?

Yes.  Culligan has generously offered to assist us again in this project. They will come out and check your equipment to make sure it is working as efficiently as possible. You will be given 100 lbs. of solar water softener salt for free just for having an evaluation and there is no charge to you for this service.

Is there an incentive program to convert my existing system, or install a new system, to a metered on-demand system?

Yes. This program is in partnership with Culligan of Burlington. The Lake Geneva Utility Commission is offering a $100.00 rebate check paid directly to you for either upgrading your current unit to an on demand system, or installing a new unit that is metered on demand. In addition to the rebate check, Culligan is offering a $1000.00 discount off their complete line of metered on demand water softeners to our customers exclusively! That is up to a $200.00 limited time incentive for you to upgrade your water softening system! This program will run through 2002.

To schedule your evaluation, contact: Culligan Water Conditiong  Ask for Tom Bence (General Manager) or Bruce Greidanus (Service Manager)
Mention the "Lake Geneva Program"
Phone number: 262.248.3330

For further information contact:
Daniel S. Winkler, P.E.
Director of Public Works and Utilities
Phone number : 262.248.2311

mission Statement

Our mission is to endeavor to
provide all Lake Geneva
with cost-effective, prompt,
high quality municipal services.


  GREASE TRAP INSPECTION                                                                    (to top)   

The Utility Commission has encountered some back-ups in the commercial areas of the City caused by slugs of grease in the sewer mains.  We have reinstituted our former grease trap inspection program.  Restaurants and other operations with grease traps must have them cleaned out regularly and document this information for our inspectors. 

Call Scott at the Wastewater Plant at 248-2394 for more information.

WATER METER CONVERSION                                                           (to top)         

Remote reader heads have been installed and programmed into our meter reading system.  All of our 3,800 customers have been converted over to a system which picks up the meter reading from a vehicle without ever stepping foot on your property.  If your reader battery goes bad, the Commission will install a replacement on the outside of your home over the touch pad reader.  At some point we will need to retrieve the transmitter box on top of your meter.

Please call the Utility Commission at 248-2311 with any questions.

  OTHER city PROJECTS OF INTEREST                                               (to top)

Veteran’s Park Restroom/Shop Building-This project is complete.

Veteran’s Park Basketball Court, Bike Trail, Parking Lots,-This project is complete.

Veteran’s Park Soccer Fields,-This project is complete.

Seminary Park Restroom Building & Library Public Restroom Renovations-This project is complete.

Seminary Park Restroom Open Shelter-The new six-sided shelter is complete.

Library Park & Riviera Berm Irrigation Systems-This project hasn't been approved.

*Library Park Boat Buoys, & Slips-This project anticipates 2007 construction.

*Riviera Fuel Pier Replacement-This project isn't approved.

Wrigley Bridge Repairs-This project is being re-evaluated and re-designed.  It may out for bids in April or May of 2007.

Flat Iron Park-Gazebo Sidewalk & Landscaping to be done with other City work.    (On Hold).

Wells Street Reconstruction-This project is substantially complete except for final landscaping and some minor traffic lane striping.

Townline Road Resurfacing-This project is complete except for some shoulder stone.

City Street Crackfilling Program-This project is complete.

CROSS-CONNECTION INSPECTION                                                (to top)

THE LAKE GENEVA

UTILITY COMMISSION

 

CROSS-CONNECTION INSPECTION PROGRAM

The Utility Commission wishes to inform our customers of an ongoing responsibility to check for cross-connections in our customer water lines.  Cross-connections could potentially cause back siphoning and contamination of the drinking water supply.  As we upgrade and replace water meters, we typically make a brief inspection for cross-connections.  If our staff observes an improper plumbing connection, please arrange to eliminate the problem as soon as practical.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we strive to serve you better.  For a free cross-connection inspection or if you have any questions about the program, please call the Utility Commission at 248-2311.

 

Daniel S. Winkler, P.E.

Director of Public Works & Utilities

Lake Geneva Utility Commission