BRISTOL BOND VOTE – 1905 WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Some of you may be aware that much of Bristol's water distribution system was installed in or around 1905. Consequently, we experience extremely high water losses (in the tens of millions of gallons per year), primarily because much of the water distribution system has exceeded its life expectancy. Impacts from the aging system include increased operational costs, frequent emergency repairs, service interruptions, reduction in fire flows, and an increased risk of contamination. The Town places safe and reliable drinking water among the highest priorities for our community.

Green Mountain Engineering was hired by the Town in 2021 to conduct a study of Bristol's entire water distribution system. The recommendation from the study was to replace nearly 30,000 feet of circa 1905 waterline. This is a large undertaking for any small community.

With assistance from VTM Engineering, the Bristol Water Commission evaluated several approaches and ultimately decided to break this large project into four manageable phases of work as follows:

Phase 1 – Pine Street (completed in 2023)
Phase 2 – Bristol West (includes some or all of Munsill, Maple, Pleasant, Church, Elm, Taylor, West, Park and School Streets). Construction is anticipated in 2026 and 2027.
Phase 3 – Bristol East (includes some or all of Mountain, Fitch, East, North, Main and Pumphouse Road). Construction is anticipated in 2028 and 2029.
Phase 4 – Rockydale (includes a cross-country line from the water tower to the bridge at Rockydale (Route 116). Construction schedule is TBD.
Phase 2 (Bristol West) is currently in the final design and permitting stage. The anticipated engineering and construction cost is approximately $4 million.

The Selectboard, in its capacity as Bristol's Water Commission, has placed a question on the ballot asking voters to approve a bond vote in the amount of $3,950,000 to fund the design and construction of Bristol West project. If the project is constructed in accordance with all State and Federal requirements, we anticipated it will be eligible for 50% loan forgiveness from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In other words, when the project is complete, the Water District ratepayers would only need to pay back roughly $2 million. If the bond vote is approved, our current schedule anticipates constructing Phase 2 over two consecutive years beginning in 2026.

Although this new debt will be reflected in future Water District budgets, so too will be savings from reduced water loss; reduced operating costs for electricity, chemicals, etc.; reduced wear and tear on the pumps; fewer emergency repairs and disruptions; as well as improved fire flows, among other benefits.

We hope this helps explain the current bond issue. A detailed presentation of the entire project was presented at the Selectboard's September 23 meeting. A recording of that meeting is available on the NEAT Web site, YouTube, and Bristol's Web site.

The Selectboard will be hosting another public information meeting Monday, Nov. 4, 7:00pm, at Holley Hall and via Zoom to help address any questions and hear any concerns.

~ Bristol Water Commission & Water District Team

Event Info

Jan 2, 2025, 6:30 to 8 PM

Jan 4, 2025, 8 to 9 AM

Jan 6, 2025, 6:30 to 8 PM