April 23, 2024

Board of trustees tours water plant

By REGINA SMITH

Water Works Manager Steve Guthrie shows the pump system Monday at the 12-Mile Water Treatment Plant. (CNA photo)

The June meeting of the Creston City Water Works Board of Trustees was preceded by a tour of the 12-Mile Water Treatment Plant. Creston Water Works manager Steve Guthrie led participants through the plant describing the steps used to make the water usable for drinking and bathing.

Howard Street

Austin Smith of Garden & Associates reported on the progress of the Howard Street water main project. He stated that much of the work is completed and paving will begin from North to Oak streets this week.

Guthrie said he released a previous payment from payout No. 7B that had been withheld due to contractor issues and reminded the board of the $60,000 retainage of funds for the project the board can rely on in the event of further issues with the project.

Payout No. 8 did not include any Water Works business. Smith said the next part of the project on East Howard does not involve Water Works but offered to include the board in case there should be a change.

Conference

Guthrie asked the board to approve funds for Brian West and himself to attend the Suez Conference Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. The conference is designed to educate workers in plants that are currently using Suez products. The training would also count as continuing education credits towards the employees’ licenses. Cost will be approximately $1,000. The motion carried unanimously.

Microcystins

Microcystins — blue green algae, which have temporarily closed Green Valley Lake to swimmers — have not been a problem at 12 Mile Lake, but staff at the water plant are monitoring microcystin levels. Guthrie said they grow best in shallower, warmer water.

Regular business

Guthrie stated that the Department of Natural Resources has not had any issues with the plant this month, and there was 0% unaccounted for water loss for the month. The plant has been running smoothly giving the staff time to catch up on routine maintenance.

Negotiations for a new agreement with Southern Iowa Regional Water Association are progressing. The board is waiting for an answer from SIRWA. The conditions of the agreement have been discussed in previous closed sessions.