$14.3M PIPELINE CONTRACT AWARDED

The Board of Directors on May 26 awarded a $14,369,529 contract to Carstensen Contracting of Dell Rapids, SD for 16 miles of 16-inch diameter PVC pipe. This is the last segment of the Madison service line, which is 42 miles in total length. October 2023 is the substantial completion deadline. The water pressures will be lower in this segment so a thinner walled PVC pipe that is less expensive will be used. It is believed this is the main reason for the difference in bids compared to the contract awarded earlier in the month for another 16 miles of 16-inch diameter PVC pipe. Due to skyrocketing inflation though, the low bid was $1.9M more than what was included in the original budget when the project was authorized in 2000 as adjusted for inflation.