Wahpeton holds SRF hearing on water treatment expansion; council says RO option proved far costlier

Mayor Phil Johnson opened a public hearing at 5:02 P.M. on Jan. 13 to review the City of Wahpeton Treatment Expansion Project State Revolving Loan Fund application and the Environmental Information Document prepared by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Mark Hardie of HR Green presented project highlights, alternatives, the general schedule and cost considerations for the proposed upgrade.

Resident Jim Cravens questioned whether lower-cost alternatives had been evaluated. Councilmember Tom Rierson said the council had examined a reverse osmosis (RO) plant supplied by wells but that the initial bid for an RO option came in at roughly three times the engineer’s estimate and that the RO design also raised concerns about managing wastewater from the process. No formal motion or decision on the plant design was taken during the hearing.

City Clerk/Administrator Carrie Funk told the council that, for the treatment expansion hearing, no written or oral comments were received at City Hall; Mayor Johnson closed the hearing at 5:30 P.M. The engineering firm’s invoice for water treatment plant improvements appears on the claims listing at $55,755.45.

The hearing record and the Environmental Information Document will be part of the State Revolving Fund application packet as Wahpeton proceeds with project planning. Council members and staff indicated they are continuing work with HR Green on project questions and public information. No final construction contract or award was recorded in the meeting minutes.