HRS Begins Engineering Phase To Answer Baxter Water Leak Issues

Highlands Residential Services has hired an engineer to design a replacement water system for its Baxter sites.

Executive Director Dow Harris said the city was made a priority after nine found leaks in the past year.

“The master meter will go away,” Harris said. “We’re going to have a whole new system with fire hydrants, individual meters. Residents will get an utility allowance for that water consumption, and then, the city of Baxter will read those meters.”

Harris said initial estimates have the project costing about $200,000. Harris said he wants the Baxter project to be completed by the end of the year.

“The city of Baxter we met with the mayor and their water superintendent, and they were very very favorable in us putting in a whole new system and them accepting that,” Harris said.

The housing authority finished $120,000 over budget in water expenses last year. Harris said eventually, housing in Celina and Monterey will need the same treatment.

“That process needs to take place throughout all of our inventory,” Harris said. “Baxter is very receptive with us working with them at their standard. We got to get out of this master meter business.”