–The Algona City Council approved the plans and awarded a contract for the 2024 Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement project during their meeting this week. Kevin Graves with WHKS Engineering spoke to the council and reiterated why the project is needed at this time.
Graves talked about how the improvements will help the city meet the new requirements from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The changes are being made in an effort to reduce nitrate levels in Iowa’s waterways, before they can make their way into the Mississippi River and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. Graves says the age of the current facility also makes the improvements more necessary.
The council awarded the contract to Woodruff Construction of Fort Dodge, who came in with the lowest bid at $28,470,000. Each of the bids received was well above the initial cost estimates for the project, so city staff will work with the contractor to try and find ways to reduce costs.
