City says new water-treatment plant expected to produce potable water by mid-April

Water-department staff updated the council on progress at the new water treatment plant and a revised contractor schedule.

Carrie A. Bacon said Bowen Engineering provided an updated progress schedule after management engagement and that continuous potable production is shown to begin April 23; the contractor expects to demolish the old raw-water lines on May 6 (the project’s substantial-completion marker) and reach final completion by Aug. 14. Bacon said some delay from the original February final-completion date remains, but that the April production target is encouraging.

“We're showing April 23 as when they begin to have a continuous production of processed water, potable water, from the new water treatment plant,” Bacon said.

Staff reported recent 'bump' tests of the new raw-water pumps and that the contractor brought additional managerial and supervisory staff to the site. The city’s membrane vendor Wiggins will assist with membrane installation and process-control start-up; staff planned multi-hour startup coordination with that vendor.

Council members asked whether the booster station and hilltop treatment plant would still be needed; staff said the hilltop facility will no longer be necessary for treatment once the new plant is operational but that some tanks and maintenance buildings will remain in use. A charter provision governs disposal of unused facilities, staff said.

No council action was required; staff will continue to monitor contractor progress and keep the council informed.