Municipal Water System Improvements (Completed)
January 31, 2022: The new softening agent (media) has been placed in the water softeners and all softeners and the new filters are now online. This last item completes the upgrades to our water treatment facility. You may notice some change to the water quality in the next week or two. If you have a water softener, you may want to test your water to see if you need to change your softener settings. Here is the link to the complete project information: https://www.dallascenter.com/city-projects/pages/2-municipal-water-syste.... A big thank you to everyone for your patience during these water treatment plant upgrades!
December 10, 2021: The new filters have been installed, have passed all testing and are online! Once we receive all of the materials for the water softeners, work will begin on them (hopefully in the next week or two). Until work on the softeners is completed, you may still notice some discolored water. This project has taken longer than expected due to supply shortages, we truly appreciate your patience!!
November 4, 2021: Work is progressing. The media has been removed and the next step is to replace the old filters.
October 25, 2021 Update: The removal and replacement of the current water filters and softeners will begin on October 26th. This process is expected to take up to two months due to the intricacies of being able to supply water while the upgrades are being done.
During these upgrades it is suggested that residents try to conserve water and that the water may be discolored (rust or reddish in color). The water will continue to be tested and will be safe to drink.
October 12, 2021 Update: City Engineer Bob Veenstra reported the filters should be installed in the next few weeks and anticipates the project being completed before Thanksgiving.
October 5, 2021 Update: Per the contractor, the materials for the filter shells are slowly starting to arrive. Once all of the materials are received, work will begin to construct the filters. We will update the website once we receive additional information from the contractor. Thank you for your patience.
August 10, 2021 Update: City Engineer Bob Veenstra reported that other than the filter shells we have received all of the materials. The shells are scheduled to be delivered sometime in the fall and, once received, the work will begin.
June 8, 2021 Update: council approved Change Order No. 1 to Krudico, Inc. for $18,815.00 due to the increase in materials cost since the original quote. City Engineer Bob Veenstra reported the new equipment has been ordered and the project should be ready to begin in the Fall of 2021.
March 9, 2021 Update: Council accepted a quote from Krudico to replace three filters and the media in the softeners for an amount not to exceed $230,000.00 and authorized the engineer to move forward with obtaining a construction permit from the IDNR for the work. The Council also entered into an agreement with Veenstra & Kimm for design services of the Hwy 44 distribution main replacement.
In July of 2020, the City Council entered into an agreement with Veenstra and Kimm to evaluate the City’s municipal water system. In December of the same year, workshops were held to go over the findings and the Council agreed the general direction would be to gather costs for what they felt were the most immediate projects.
At the January 12, 2021 City Council meeting, Bob Veenstra spoke extensively regarding the water system plant improvements consisting of replacing the two iron removal filters and the media in each, replacing the zeolite media in both softeners, and updating the dialer system (for an approximate cost of $260,000). He also discussed the Highway 44 main replacement design and work (for an approximate cost of $245,000). For budgeting purposes, he used an amount of $525,000. He and council discussed funding options for both projects. With current water fund revenues (including inflationary increases each year) the City could do a short-term bond with an approximate interest rate of 1.75%. Veenstra stated in a letter to council that current interest rates are low enough the cost of borrowing would be less than the inflationary cost increase that would be experienced if the City were to accumulate funds and construct the project after it had accumulated the necessary reserve funds. The Council voted to pursue moving forward and refining the scope and cost of both projects with the intent to construct both projects with a bond issue within the time period of about eight years.