March 29, 2024

Water board explores water main project

Creston City Water Works discussed its water main project, maintenance and the results of a cyanobacteria study during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.

Water mains

Austin Smith of Garden & Associates presented the cost estimate of the water main construction project and information on the impact of receiving a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) could have if they received one. Without a CDBG grant ithe project is estimated to cost $5.2 million.

Steven Guthrie, general manager at Creston Water Works said the project needs to happen, but it can't be done this year.

“Our budget can’t support that kind of loan payment right right,” said Guthrie.

Guthrie said Creston City Water Works is approximately two years away from being able to support the loan payments for the project.

“My recommendation is to table this until we can get to where we need to be in a couple years and revisit at that time,” said Guthrie.

The first one-third of phase one of the project had already been approved by the board in August and will proceed.

Cyanobacteria study

Creston City Water Works received test results from a cyanobacteria study they participated in last year and into the first part of this year.

Guthrie said there are times when cyanobacteria is in the water, but the water plant has the chemicals and membranes to mitigate the toxins should they appear.

Pump station

The board will not proceed with the groundwater portion of the plant capacity study because it exceeds budget. However, the rest of the study will proceed.

Repairs

Guthrie said “the clear well” may have a leak that needs to be examined or repaired.

At last months meeting Guthrie said the water plant needs to consider adding a high service pumping station becasue the clear well would need to be taken offline.

“We can’t do that now because we woudn’t be able to get water to town,” said Guthrie at last months meeting.

“We have about 4 to 6 hours and most of the stuff needs 24 hours to cure,” said Guthrie.

Guthrie said there was a leak on a high service line inside the building at the plant. The crew was able to repair it.

There is a stainless steel line that connects to the membranes that also leaks.

“If that thing goes we can’t clean our membranes,” said Guthrie.

Water Works purchased a stainless steel welder. 2 employees are trained to complete such a repair and Water Works has the material on hand to complete a re pain in an emergency.

Eventually the line will be replaced with proper stainless steel and flanges so that sections can be removed as needed.