Voluntary Water Project

Over the past year and a half, Bayside resident Howard Feiges has helped steer a grassroots effort to bring municipal water via the City of Mequon Water Utility to several areas currently served by shared wells. 

Currently, sixty (60) homes in the southwest neighborhood of the Village have agreed to connect to municipal water. This area is generally bounded by Brown Deer Road on the south, Fairy Chasm on the north, Port Washington Road on the west, and Santa Monica on the east.  

As the project moves into its final planning stages, those interested in participating must inform the newly formed private trust by December 10, 2012 at noon.  This cut off date is required so that final surveying, engineering, and the bid documents can be assembled for distribution in early 2013. 

With construction set for summer, 2013, the uniqueness and benefit of the timing is in the following regards: 

• Ability to combine several other voluntary municipal water connection projects for B-bond financing (no effect on general taxes) 
  • This would allow residents to finance the cost of the public infrastructure over a period of 20 years versus paying for the entire public costs immediately through a special assessment.
• Interest rates are at near historic all time lows.
• The Mequon Water Utility is offering a revenue credit per home on the public infrastructure of $2,615 for each home that connects now. This will be applied to the water main construction cost.  It's likely this revenue credit will not be offered in the future.
• Due to current economic conditions, underground utility constructions costs are at some of the lowest prices in history.

Those who are interested in participating in the voluntary water project, should contact Howard Feiges, or find out more about the Bayside Residetial Water Access Association.  This project is private resident driven, and is entirely voluntary in nature.  Those not wishing to participate are not required.