Chouteau Public Works Authority (PWA) board approved a water rate increase and discussed requiring a contract for the city to dispose of waste water outside the city’s system during their monthly meeting.

In June, the Oklahoma Ordinance Works Authority increased water rates 12 cents per 1,000 gallons of water. Chouteau PWA will pass the 12 cent increase to customers on the next bill.

Mayor Jerry Floyd said Chouteau has no choice but to pass on the increase. The town absorbed a 2 cent per 1,000 gallon increase earlier this year. Customers can expect to see the change on their next bill.

The board discussed procedures for use of the wastewater treatment plant to dispose of wastewater from entities other than the Town of Chouteau.

Chouteau took in 700,000 gallons of wastewater from Cobb-Vantress chicken hatchery. Chouteau was paid 10 cents per 1,000 gallons, totaling $7,000 to dispose of the water.

The disposal was approved by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Floyd said the water from the hatchery has a pH balance of 7.2, which is cleaner than the water discharged into Chouteau Creek, which has a pH balance of 7.8.

Floyd said in the future, Chouteau will draw up a contract per instance when it agrees to

discharge water from entities outside the town sewer system.

No action was taken by the board regarding contracts or rates.

In other business:

• The board approved a 30-year easement for a water pipeline located on Fort Gibson which crosses Corps of Engineer

property.

• Tetra Tech was hired for engineering design, DEQ permit, bidding and construction services to replace 2,012 feet of clay pipe with a 10-inch plastic sewer line. The cost for services is $24,750.

• The board approved paying $883.66 to DEQ for a discharge permit fee.

• A payment of $608.77 to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for a pipeline easement was approved.

• The board purchased new tires for a dump truck from Mike’s Tire for $828. A $990.57 payment to Frontier International for repairs to the dump truck was approved.

• A cut-off tool from Water Products for $690 was approved. The tool is used to seal gas lines while repairs are made to the line.

• The board approved purchasing gas supplies from B&B; Meter for $671.25.

• A Chevrolet Silverado was purchased at the state contract price of $17,426 for the PWA.

• The board approved a $1 per hour increase in pay to all full-time PWA employees.

• The 2006-2007 audit was approved and a payment of $1,950 to Ralph Osborn. A letter of intent to have Osborn perform the 2007-2008 audit was approved.