When Fairmont's new water treatment facility opens in 2012, residents could be paying twice as much as they did in 2008.To keep the costs lower, the city has applied for federal funding to pay for half of the cost.News 12's Erick Lind tells us that the city is now asking for as many people to show the plant is worthy of Washington's help.Fairmont knows the water treatment facility needs to be replaced.The plant has stood for over 80 years and is scheduled for an update in 2012...But it's a 30 million dollar update.The city requested 15 million dollars of federal funding from Congressman Tim Walz.Now city leaders are hoping for more voices to help the Congressman decide.Fairmont Public Works Director Troy Nemmers says, "He's put together this virtual meeting on his website for the public to provide comments on all the applications he's received. Then he takes that information into consideration when he's selecting the projects he want to request federal dollars for."Nemmers says that any citizen can go online to ask for the funding for the new plant.Business leaders in the community have already done that.Fairmont Chamber of Commerce President Bob Wallace says, "We've got quite a few responses out of the business community because they really how important this is, and how much this impacts us and the community, and we'd like to reach the general populace too."Wallace says the federal help won't just keep taxes lower.He says with so many in the city relying on water, keeping the water costs lower can keep businesses coming to town.But, Nemmers knows Fairmont's project is one of 99 applications that Congressman Walz is considering for funding.He just hopes it will help Walz's decision if enough constituents voice the need.Nemmers says, "We ask everybody to get out and provide some comment on the project. The more the better."Then citizens may have a better chance of upgrading their water without downgrading their wallets.In Fairmont, Erick Lind, News 12.The virtual meeting has been running since the end of last week and will close Thursday afternoon at 5.