Water Improvements

Most Recent Updates

  1. 1 construction underway at the Grinnell water treatment plant
  2. 2 water tower with tank around base, corner of water treatment facility
  3. 3 construction of brick and block walls on the southeast corner of the water treatment plant
  4. 4 A crane stands beside a tall concrete water tower pillar under construction near a rural highway
  5. 5 Large boom pump pours concrete into wooden forms for the foundation of the water treatment plant
  6. 6 Excavation work underway at the new water treatment plant site
  7. 7 Drill rig at work on Jordan Well 10 near the water tower and water treatment plant
  8. 8 big holes in the street behind road closed signs and barriers in front of a water tower
  9. 9 Diagram showing water service line responsibility
  10. 10 Blue pipes stacked along the side of a street under construction with equipment in the distance
  11. 11 A drilling rig and water tower at a construction site under a clear blue sky with an American flag
  12. 12 A rendering of the future water treatment plant: a one-story brick building with tall windows

Water Improvements Project Outline:

The construction of a new water plant and other upgrades will improve drinking water quality, strengthen water supply resiliency, build capacity for growth, and the new nanofiltration technology used to soften water will offer a far superior alternative to Zeolite softening.

Project Overview Status
Emergency water connection The emergency connection was built as a backup to the current water plant. It is a safety measure that is not expected to be used, but is available in case of an emergency. This connection is complete and ready to be used if needed during the design and construction of the new treatment plant. Complete
Water main replacement This is part of an ongoing effort to improve the water supply system. This work has resulted in fewer water main breaks and better system reliability. Seven projects have replaced about three miles of water main in the last five years. More projects are planned. Ongoing
New Jordan Well No. 10 The Jordan Well No. 10 project will create a new drinking water supply well for the new water treatment plant. It will be located at 703 Broad Street, next to the new plant. Drilling started in summer 2024 and is expected to be complete in spring of 2026. The Jordan aquifer is a reliable water source, and is permitted by the Iowa DNR to remain reliable. Mostly complete, with testing underway.
New raw water transmission line The new raw water transmission main project targets a section that is prone to breaks, carrying water from Well 8 and Well 9 to the treatment plant. Making this system more durable will decrease breaks, supporting continued well operation at the new treatment plant. Construction began in summer 2024 and lasted around a year. Complete
Construction of a new water tower The City is expanding its finished water storage. The current 300,000 gallon water tower is in good condition, but this new tower will provide more water storage and allow for the retirement of the 300,000 gallon tower when needed. A new one million gallon water tower, located near East Street, south of Ogan Avenue, will be more resilient, support growth, and improve reliability. Construction has begun and is estimated to be online in summer of 2026.
New drinking water treatment plant The new water treatment plant, located at 703 Broad Street, will use nanofiltration technology to filter contents such as radium and hardness. A new clearwell will store finished water on site. The new plant will have the capacity to produce 2.6 million gallons of water per day. The current treatment plant building and storage reservoir will be demolished. Construction has begun. Plant is expected to be operational January of 2027 and complete in summer 2027.
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