Byrdstown Receives Grant Funds To Map Pall Mall Utility District

Byrdstown has received a $50,000 grant to map out the Chanute-Pall Mall Utility District it acquired last year.

Mayor Sam Gibson said the money would be used to contract with a company and locate the water lines of the system.

“It’s new to us the area, and there’s not been a lot of that that has taken place over the years,” Gibson said. “So, this grant will enable us to be able to do a good job of mapping and doing some planning on that.”

Gibson said the project would result in a physical map of the system including some 400 meters. Gibson said it would help the city locate leaks and cut-off valves.

“It would get us some maps on the wall of the water lines and what size they are,” Gibson said. “People often call asking what side a water line is on and what size. We’ll be able to look at the map and tell people.”

Gibson said the grant continues the town’s efforts to bring the utility district up to standard. Gibson said while the money does help, a lot of work remains.

“There is still quite a few leaks in that area that we haven’t found that we are continually searching for,” Gibson said. “There’s nearly not enough cut-off valves that will help us to isolate areas of the line. We still have a long way to go.”

Byrdstown purchased the utility district early last year. Gibson said this month is the first that Pall Mall customers will be billed as Byrdstown customers.