Contracts reviewed by oversight committee

SILVER SPRINGS - Three contractors are apparent low bidders for construction of the Silver Springs wastewater treatment plant.

The Silver Springs General Improvement Oversight Committee reviewed contract bids Monday and will make recommendations Thursday to the Lyon County commissioners. The bids are for construction of the Silver Springs wastewater treatment plant and three portions of the wastewater collection system.

K. G. Walters Construction Co. submitted the low bid to construct the water reclamation facilities at a cost of $3,035,000.

A & K Earthmovers' bid for two of the three proposed units of the collection system was $2,627,161.

T W Construction's bid on the third unit was $2,461,114. All bids were within the engineer's estimated budget.

Silver Springs has experienced nitrate problems in its wells and has had a number of septic tank failures. A sewer system has become necessary for this rapidly growing community, officials said.

Construction is scheduled to begin after the first of the year and is to be completed within a year and a half.

A general obligation bond to fund the system will be put before voters. However, federal grants and user fees will fund the construction project. Residents are being assessed $325 per year for the system. That does not include monthly fees.