CITY PROJECTS/CITY PROGRAMS            

2010 Street Program Chlorides Reduction
  Grease Trap Inspection
  Water Meter Conversion
Street Department Cross-Connection Inspection
Other City Projects of Interest  

                2010 Street Program            

The following is the preliminary list of proposed 2010 street maintenance locations:

  • Main Street from Mill Street to Center Street.

  • Broad Street from Geneva Street to North Street.

  • Wrigley Drive by the boat launch ramps.

  • Conant Street West of High Street.

           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 80 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 $100.00 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 for a limited time.

To schedule your evaluation, contact: Culligan Water Conditiong  Ask for Pat Scanlon (General Manager)
Mention the "Lake Geneva Program"
Phone number: 262.970.6230

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)         

The Commission's customer base has just edged over 4,000.  We have begun the process of implementation of a fixed base meter reading and monitoring system.  The changeover is about 40% complete as of January of 2010.  Many of the conversions can be accomplished without entering your home.  We will be notifying our customers as the project proceeds.

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

  OTHER city PROJECTS OF INTEREST                                             (to top)

Library Park Restroom Building-This project is complete. 

Main Street Bridge Replacement-This project is complete except for pedestrian crossing signage.

Wrigley Bridge Replacement-This project was fortunate to receive Federal Stimulus funding administered through the State of Wisconsin.  Work will begin in October of 2010 and be completed by the following spring.  Once the demolition of the bridge begins, there will be no pedestrian access across Flat Iron Park to the Riviera or beach.  Traffic will have to use Center Street.

2009 City Street Crackfilling Program-This project is complete.

Museum Roof Replacement-This project is complete.

City Hall Generator Replacement-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