Our work at this water plant began in 1997 with rehabilitation of the solids contact clarifiers, replacement of filter media, and the addition of an air wash system, aerators, high service pumps, and a SCADA system. A project in 1999 took the plant from 10 to 12 MGD, providing additional needed capacity for a growing community and much needed repair and replacement of key equipment in the 20-year-old plant.

Then in 2015, construction of a $750 million Alliant Energy generating station significantly increased the demand for water. To address this increased demand, we performed preliminary engineering, including concept plans and cost estimates, as well as modeling of the water distribution system to estimate the impact on tower operation and system pressures. Alternatives developed for the Utility Board included expansion of the existing plant as well as construction of a new satellite treatment plant in a more strategic location. By improving the reliability of the existing facility and increasing storage, the Utility would be able to continue to meet the demands of existing customers, as well as the new generating station and other future economic development.

Construction is complete for the new 2-million-gallon ground storage reservoir with booster station, repair of a 1-million-gallon reservoir, rehabilitation of the softening contact clarifiers, new lime slakers, and a new 1.5 MW standby emergency generator. The reservoir was designed to serve as a chlorine contact tank and clearwell for a future plant, with the booster station then serving as a high service pump station. The project also included rehabilitation of two existing high service pumps and a new control system.