Council approves $1.42M engineering contract and $200K pilot for new water treatment plant

The Ellsworth City Council approved two items on the city’s water-supply upgrade: a $1,420,000 engineering services contract for the new water treatment facility and a $200,000 pilot study to test candidate technologies.

Public Works Director Michael Harris presented the recommendation and said the work includes design, permitting and necessary pre‑construction engineering. "This particular item is for us to accomplish two things: approve their engineering contract, as well as approve the first step of the process for the water treatment plant, which is to have our water actually pilot tested by a firm for the technologies we would like to install," Harris said.

Brent Bridges of Woodard & Curran confirmed the city already has a substantial package of loan and grant support for the project but may need additional funding depending on final construction estimates. Bridges summarized the funding the city has secured so far: two tranches from the Drinking Water program, each of roughly $3.9 million in low‑interest loan and $2.1 million in grant support; a $1 million award from the Northern Border Regional Commission; and a pending $2 million earmark. Bridges said the SRF loan rate is highly favorable (around 2 percent) and that the city will apply for any remaining SRF support this fall if needed for the balance.

City staff said the engineering and pilot work will be covered by funds already secured through drinking-water SRF awards, a Northern Border award and other grants; additional funding applications may be needed for final construction. City staff also said work on billing and rates will accompany the project: management noted planning for incremental rate increases so the water enterprise can meet future debt service without a single large spike.

Council voted to approve the contracts as presented.