The City of Storm Lake is officially moving into the next phase of its long‑planned water treatment plant project, opening the search for an engineering firm that will design the new facility.
The city issued a Request for Qualifications yesterday, inviting engineering firms to submit proposals by 3 p.m. on Friday, April 3. The selected firm will guide the entire design process—from early evaluation and technical studies to final construction administration once the project breaks ground.
City officials say the engineering work will be extensive. A preliminary report recommends building an 8.8‑million‑gallon‑per‑day plant to replace the city’s aging 1978 facility, which has undergone several upgrades but now operates near capacity as Storm Lake’s population and water demand continue to grow. The new plant will also be paired with expanded well capacity to meet the city’s needs for decades to come.
The RFQ marks another major milestone in a project that has been steadily advancing over the past year. In February, the Storm Lake City Council approved the purchase of nearly 90 acres of land on 90th Avenue near Storm Lake Early Elementary School for future public use, including the new plant site. That acquisition was identified as a critical step by the Water Treatment Plant Advisory Committee, which warned that delays in land procurement could push the entire project off schedule.
Financial planning is also underway. Last week, the city council approved a service agreement with Piper Sandler & Co. to model water utility revenues, outline borrowing options, and structure the debt needed to finance the project. Early projections show the full plant and well system could cost around $200 million, with phased water‑rate increases expected later this decade as bonds are issued.
City leaders say issuing the RFQ now keeps Storm Lake aligned with the advisory committee’s recommended timeline. Once proposals are submitted, city staff will review them, conduct interviews if necessary, and forward a recommendation to the city council for final selection.
The full RFQ is available at stormlake.org, and prospective firms can direct questions to City Manager Keri Navratil by email at navratil@stormlake.org.
