Storm Lake’s plan to replace its aging water treatment plant is taking shape — from the layout of the future facility to the financing needed to get it built.
During Monday night’s city council meeting, Katie Sterk, project manager with Bolton & Menk, updated council members on preliminary design work for the city’s new water treatment plant. She reported that the project’s $8 million planning and design loan application had been accepted, clearing the way for the next steps in the state financing process.
Sterk said the project is expected to appear on the state’s Dec. 15 Intended Use Plan list for both planning and design financing and the construction loan application. That is a step in the funding process, not confirmation that the loans have been awarded.
Engineering work is also underway. Survey crews have been collecting topographic and boundary information along water transmission and raw water main corridors and at the future treatment plant site.
Sterk said engineers are using information provided by city staff and water plant operators to develop preliminary site layouts, evaluate stormwater management and determine the size and configuration of treatment processes and structures. The team is also coordinating with ISG on how Well 24 will connect to the new facility.
Sterk said the design team is still in the preliminary phase, but the project remains on schedule to reach 30% design by the end of this year. That milestone would allow the city to consider bringing on a construction manager at risk to help guide the project as design continues.
The new plant is intended to replace Storm Lake’s existing water treatment facility, built in 1978, which city officials have said is operating near capacity as the community grows. A preliminary engineering report recommends a plant capable of treating 8.8 million gallons of water per day, along with expanded well capacity to meet future demand.
The city has already purchased nearly 90 acres on 90th Avenue for the future facility at a cost of $2.45 million. Early estimates for the overall plant and well system have placed the project cost at around $200 million.
Monday’s update was informational, and the council took no action on the project.
