(Spirit Lake)– An upgrade of Spirit Lake’s water treatment plant that will double capacity is likely going to cost more than first thought.
Mark Hardie, an engineer with Howard R. Green, presented the city council Tuesday with updated cost estimates on the project. He says the new estimate for the construction cost is 3.68 million dollars…up from the original estimate of 3.5 million.
The project will be financed through a state revolving fund, which will be paid by the city through water revenues. Hardie said a study of the city’s water rates, which may be increased to help pay off the loan, is still underway.
Plans call for an addition to built onto the plant housing additional equipment. It would be built where an existing butler garage stands. A new garage would be constructed as part of the project.
The project also includes a complete replacement of equipment at the pump house in Orleans, along with the installation of a generator at that facility.
Hardie says the project will take some 18 to 24 months to complete.
Dean Dodds, Superintendent of the city’s Water Department, told the council this will be the first increase in capacity at the water plant in some 45 years.
A public hearing and bidletting on the project will be held in May.
