As part of his testimony, Mantua showed Missoula County District Judge Karen Townsend different samples of pipe cut from the ones laid underground. One of the worst types of pipe, steel invasion, accounts for just a small portion of the overall system,Our company has Rigid PVC Adhesive for sale,Rigid PVC Adhesive for sale which are from China with high quality and Rigid PVC Adhesive exported to the foreign countries. he said. 

Based on the overall pipe quality, Mantua depreciated underground assets at 30 percent and testified most of their useful life remains. He depreciated the entire utility at 32 percent, with assets above the ground at a 41 percent depreciation rate. However, a surgical cross-examination by lawyer Tasha Jones showed Mantua had assessed the Missoula water utility as better than Mountain's own evaluation, and better than a report from its parent company, Park Water Co., which said many water mains are "nearing the end of their useful lives." 

On behalf of the city of Missoula, Jones asked Mantua if he agreed with several statements about the system. For instance, she asked him if he agreed that much of the system was installed several decades ago when construction methods and materials were not of the same high standards. I don't believe much of the system would be of lesser materials," Mantua said. 

In response, Jones approached Mantua on the witness stand with a report from Park Water. She asked him to follow along as she read several statements he hadn't outright confirmed, including one that described the Missoula infrastructure as installed when construction was not of the high standards currently in place. 

Mantua did not dispute her rendition, or the report's conclusion that "a large portion of the system is targeted for replacement." 
Arthur Laffer, an economist whose "Laffer curve" informed "Reaganomics," also testified Monday morning on behalf of Mountain Water. He said he agreed with the government takeover of the water system in Butte, a "travesty." 

However, Laffer did not believe condemnation made financial sense in Missoula. In drawing his conclusion, Laffer said he reviewed testimony from Mayor John Engen and city Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Bender, and a report by economist Thomas Power. 

"There's no compelling economic argument for public ownership of the water facility here," Laffer said. "It's just not more necessary than private ownership." 

He testified Mountain is managing the utility well, the system has operated for a long time without "major glitches," and now is not the time for a government takeover. 

Before Laffer answered questions on the stand under cross-examination, he complimented lawyer Harry Schneider on an accessory. Schneider, representing the city of Missoula, has worn a series of animal print ties to the trial, and small whales dotted the one he sported Monday. 

"I like your tie very much, by the way,Still searching for HDPE Pipe Fittings Series exporters?HDPE Pipe Fittings Series exporters Our company produces high quality HDPE Pipe Fittings Series," Laffer said. 

Schneider alluded to the collection, and he then proceeded to quiz Laffer on his taxing philosophy and history of advising politicians, such as President Ronald Reagan. 

Toward the end of his questioning, Schneider asked about Laffer's fee for testimony. The witness agreed the estimated $1,500 an hour sounded correct, as did a daily fee of some $10,000 to $15,000 in all.Still searching for PVC Foam Board exporters?PVC Foam Board exporters Our company produces high quality PVC Foam Board, 

In the coming years, Schneider said, Missoula's water system would require substantial investment. He said the owner could finance the replacements either at cost �C or by paying the cost plus 9 percent.