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Council to fund archaeological review before water main replacements as utility staff probe unaccounted-for and brown water reports
Summary
Council accepted an archaeological assessment contract tied to planned water main replacements and heard PeopleService representatives say a significant portion of unaccounted-for water appears at the wastewater plant; seven brown‑water complaints were logged in January.
The Missouri Valley City Council voted Feb. 17 to hire Bear Creek Archaeology, Inc. to perform a desktop archaeological assessment and architectural reconnaissance survey ahead of planned water‑main replacements and related construction.
Council member Struble moved to accept the Bear Creek proposal and the motion passed unanimously. City staff described the assessment as a preparatory step to ensure required surveys are complete before excavation begins.
At the same meeting, city water‑system contractors presented a PeopleService report on distribution and treatment issues. Representative Steve Robinette said a large portion of the city’s unaccounted‑for water is showing up at the wastewater plant and that staff are working to identify the source and implement a solution. Kalyn Kolls told the council that seven reports of brown water were called in during January and were followed up on.
Council directed the engineer and staff to proceed with related procurement and coordination; the archaeological assessment was explicitly tied to the upcoming water main replacement project. No remediation timeline was given during the meeting.
Quotes from the meeting • William Huey (Schemmer & Associates): “There has been no documentation sent for the gear dryer change order. I am also waiting for the punch list from Rogge to be sent to me.” • Kalyn Kolls (PeopleService): “Seven reports of brown water were called in, which were followed up on.”
The council’s acceptance of the archaeological assessment clears a step ahead of procurement and construction on the water‑main project; staff indicated further action and reporting will follow as the engineering and survey work proceeds.
