Council meets at treatment plant construction site; most withhold judgment on ...

Mayor Lee Leffingwell dragged the Austin City Council on the partially constructed plant in city water treatment Wednesday, hoping to strengthen his case that stopping the construction of the $ 508 million project would be disastrous.

As circular saws groans in the background and workers in the construction of orange vests moved through a forest of poles frame 12 feet high, board members, sitting a short distance, heard city staff give a 30-minute overview of a project they say will be completed in 2014.

The details are not new. The presentation was intended mainly for Council Member Kathie Tovo , who was elected in June after running as the anti-treatment-plant candidate, giving plant critics a four-member council majority. Her victory has raised the possibility that work on the city's biggest construction project since Austin-Bergstrom International Airport could be halted later this month.

Tovo had little to say after Wednesday's PowerPoint presentation.She says her vote on whether to delay plant construction will be based on an analysis by the staff until the city so much the project will cost if it is mothballed for five or 10 years, while completed.

Other critical facilities made no firm commitment.

"If it costs 5 million to $ 10 million to delay the plant is financially prudent, and frees up money for other purposes, such as programs for the conservation of our limited water supply," member Council Bill Spelman said after the presentation. "However, if it costs $ 50 million or $ 100 million behind the factory, it has no fiscal sense."

Leffingwell, who says the cost of delay could top $100 million, said: "I think it's pretty well evident from the numbers, and from looking over the fence here, this project is well under way. It needs to be finished now." Construction began after a pivotal 4-3 council vote in fall 2009 to move forward with the project.

Council Member Mike Martinez has said the renewed debate amounts to "political theater" intended to quell environmental activists who support Tovo and Spelman and insist work be stopped regardless of the staff analysis.

The city had spent roughly $123 million on the plant at the end of June. Another $304 million worth of work is under contract. City staff will seek to answer how much canceling the contracts would cost the city in penalties, possible lawsuits and voided warranties on construction work that's already been completed.

"A company may not be willing to just start working on another company's half-finished structure after it's been sitting there for 10 years," said Kevin Buchman , a spokesman for the Austin Water Utility.

Plastic Water Jugs:Sierra Springs

Midland, TX (PRWEB) August 5, 2008

Sierra Springs, one of the country’s finest providers of pure, refreshing bottled water, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Rainbow Water Company to acquire the assets of Rainbow’s home and office bottled water delivery and filtration business. As these two companies combine resources, Sierra Springs will assume management of the bottled water delivery and filtration operations as well as the production and distribution of Rainbow Water Company’s bulk and bagged ice business.

This complementary assemblage will expand Sierra Springs’s home and office bottled water delivery and filtration services further into Midland, Odessa, and additional Texas communities. As a result, Sierra Springs will be able to enhance its investment in the local economy and provide unsurpassed customer service.

“Sierra Springs is committed to providing outstanding customer service and safe, quality bottled water, as well as bagged ice, bulk water, filtration, and coffee service needs, to additional communities in Texas with a water delivery service that is comprehensive,” said Gil Gibson, Texas Division President. “With the acquisition of Rainbow Water Company, we will be able to expand the reach of our bottled water delivery service and filtration service options and ensure that we continue our rich history of superior water delivery service. We welcome these new members to our Sierra Springs family and look forward to earning their business.”

Sierra Springs offers its bottled water delivery service, filtration, and coffee services to local homes and businesses and also provides distribution of smaller bottles to local grocery stores and outlets. For more information, please visit http://www.SierraSprings.com.

About Sierra Springs: Sierra Springs® bottled water was founded in Sacramento, California in 1950. Since then, the brand has held the distinction of being one of the country’s finest providers of pure, refreshing water. Because Sierra Springs offers the convenience of home or office delivery, and its products can be found on store shelves, bottled water drinkers have made Sierra Springs a favored brand whether they’re at home, at work or enjoying leisure activities. Today the Sierra Springs brand is a category leader in its market areas, which include Oregon, West Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming. Known as a partner to a variety of events and organizations that are focused on family, youth, fitness and education, Sierra Springs has a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves. Sierra Springs and its Associates also support the local communities, by providing water during emergencies such as earthquakes, fires, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters. Learn more about what makes Sierra Springs bottled water the best bottled water delivery and filtration service choice for your family, your business, and your lifestyle.

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