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Council approves WHKS engineering agreement for wastewater facility planning
Summary
The council authorized a professional services agreement with WHKS for an updated wastewater facility plan and nutrient-reduction work, citing changed flows after sewer separation and the need for 10'20-year capital planning and optimization.
Ottumwa's City Council approved a professional engineering services agreement with WHKS to update the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) facility plan, support nutrient-reduction planning and optimize plant operations.
Public works and plant staff explained the need for a new plan because sewer-separation projects over the past decade have reduced flows to the plant significantly (staff citedroughly a one-million-gallon-per-day reduction) and changed the plant's operating profile. The updated facility plan will help the city forecast capital needs, develop a 10- to 20-year plan for upgrades, and optimize treatment processes in response to lower flows and evolving nutrient standards.
WHKS representatives and the plant superintendent described the scope as a mix of system evaluation, nutrient studies, planning and meetings with staff and stakeholders. Council members asked for clarity on how separation affects flows and long-term capital needs; staff said about 80% of the city's acreage is now separated and that substantial work remains, particularly along Blake's Branch, which will require deep work and additional funds.
The council approved Resolution 20 (2026) authorizing the WHKS agreement and will receive the facility plan and capital projections as they are developed.
