Pierre city officials and project engineers fielded a variety of questions about building a water treatment plant during a public informational session last night (Mon.).
Other water systems take water directly from the Missouri River, but Pierre city utilities director Brad Palmer says supplying better quality water isn’t as simple as just switching from the current 12 wells to drawing water in from the river.
Manganese in the water is what causes the discoloration seen on sidewalks, buildings, light poles, etc. Project engineer Delvin DeBoer says the water treatment plant would eliminate the discoloration.
Palmer says the Environmental Protection Agency is currently gathering information to determine if there needs to be more regulation of manganese and arsenic in drinking water.
DeBoer says regardless of where Pierre sources its water, the city has to follow federal drinking water standards.
The cost of the plant is estimated at approximately $35-million, which would add about $1 per day to each residential municipal water account. The average additional dollar would be used to pay back the 30-year loan used to build, operate and maintain the facility.
Information about the proposed water treatment plant is available on the City of Pierre’s website. Last night’s (Mon.) informational meeting will also be shown on Oahe TV.
Pierre residents will vote on whether or not to build the proposed water treatment plant on their June 5 primary ballot.