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Mound outlines water‑treatment timeline after residents’ water‑quality complaints; council approves $1.14M pay request
Summary
The Mound City Council set an Aug. 25 presentation and an Oct. 13 bid‑review vote for a planned water treatment plant, reported multi‑million dollar reimbursements received so far, and approved Pay Request No. 5 for water treatment improvements (listed at $1,138,736.70). Residents urged faster fixes for brown or undrinkable tap water.
The Mound City Council on July 14 set a timetable for the city’s long‑planned water treatment project and approved a major construction pay request while residents pressed the council about ongoing water‑quality problems.
Mayor Holt told residents the schedule that will guide the project: a final design presentation and request to bid on Aug. 25, bids returned in September, council review and a decision on Oct. 13, an updated utility‑rate study Oct. 27 and formal 2027 budget adoption Dec. 8. The council also approved pay request No. 5 for the water treatment improvements, the packet lists that amount as $1,138,736.70 to Manger Construction (listed in some packet pages with an alternate transcript spelling of “Minger Construction”).
“The vast majority of what has been fronted has been reimbursed,” a city staffer said, adding the city had received about $3.5 million and was submitting another $1.4 million for reimbursement. The city said the larger infrastructure program includes pipe replacement and upsizing to support the treatment plant and noted state and federal funding in place to reimburse much of the work.
Residents at the meeting said that, for some households, the problem is urgent. “This is non drinkable,” AJ Chouinard said of his tap water, pressing the council for quicker remedies than multiyear timelines. Jenny Schmidt, who said she had multiple home tests showing elevated manganese, phosphates and other parameters, told the council she and family members had experienced health problems she attributed to water and asked for city testing at the source and follow‑up with the health department.
City staff repeatedly urged residents to use point‑of‑use treatment until systemwide work is completed, offered to collect tests and said they will post and mail further information. A draft special newsletter the city plans to send to residents lists a $2.08‑per‑month line item attributed to the treatment plan and separately notes a $7.75 increase that staff said reflects broader rate adjustments already planned; staff emphasized the figures come from budget estimates and the rate study process.
Council members pressed for clear public outreach. “Make that really loud and clear” was how one councilor described the need to notify residents about public comment opportunities during the August and October actions, when the council will be able to influence whether the project proceeds and at what cost.
Action taken: Council approved Pay Request No. 5 for the water treatment improvements (packet amount listed as $1,138,736.70). Staff reported prior reimbursements and said more state/federal reimbursement requests are pending. The council set Aug. 25 and Oct. 13 as the key upcoming dates for design presentation and bid review.
