Overview of Rogers Water System: The Success and Challenges

At the recent September 23, 2024, Water and Sewer Commission meeting, a number of key updates and reports were shared about the current state of Rogers’ water and sewer systems. The overall outlook is positive, though there are areas that require attention to ensure sustained service quality.

The Success:

• Increased Revenue and Consumption: Both water and sewer revenues showed significant year-over-year increases. Billed revenue for water services increased by 10.2%, and water consumption rose by 5.5%, with similar positive trends in the sewer department, where revenues were up by 7.9%.

• Financial Health: Rogers Water Utilities (RWU) maintains a healthy financial standing, with $52.1 million in unrestricted and restricted funds, an increase from $49.6 million in the previous year. The utility’s water loss rate of 7.2% is also an improvement over industry norms.

• Engineering Projects: The water department is progressing with several major projects, including utility relocations for the Highway 112 widening and the Pinnacle sewer project. The overpass at Uptown and Oak Street has been completed, and the Rogers Pollution Control Facility (RPCF) is on schedule to begin its solids handling facility work in October.

The Challenges:

• Bidding Challenges: RWU is facing challenges in securing bids for some key projects, such as the 5th & Walnut water and sewer line replacement, which received zero bids. As a result, RWU had to adopt emergency contracting procedures.

• Sewer Capacity Constraints: The South 1st Street sewer capacity remains a bottleneck, along with downstream constraints. These issues could pose long-term challenges for accommodating further development in the area.

• Phosphorus Levels: Elevated phosphorus levels at the Pollution Control Facility were noted, although they remained within permitted limits. This issue was attributed to a temporary problem at the plant, highlighting the need for close monitoring of operations.

Overall, while the Rogers water and sewer systems are financially strong and experiencing growth, attention to infrastructure challenges and operational efficiency will be crucial in maintaining the quality of services as the city continues to grow.