Wastewater Treatment Plant Updates

The city's current wastewater treatment plant was constructed in 1978 and designed for a population of 11,600 residents.  With the current facility beyond its useful life of 30 years, aging infrastructure and stricter regulations, replacement of the current plant is necessary.  
This page has been created to provide updates, progress reports, and other information to aid in answering questions regarding the new wastewater treatment plant project.

Commitment

The City will be using 100% of the funds raised by the new Local Option Sales Tax for the wastewater treatment plant project. Funding from the tax will not be used in courthouse renovations, road repair, or any other project that does not further the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. To view a letter from the City Council documenting this commitment, please click here. 

February 16, 2021 Council Update

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Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) News - formerly Water Pollution Control (WPC) 


Map with Tags 1-13-20

October 2020

June 2020

May 2020

Here are some updated pictures from May:

DJI_0098

April 1, 2020

After all the T’s have been crossed and the I’s dotted, one of the subcontractors, Iowa Earthworks from Huxley IA, started removing dirt as you can see in the pictures.

IMG_2690

February 6, 2020

Click on the two links below to see more information regarding the city council awarding the contract to William Brothers Construction.

Press Release

Fact Sheet


February 5, 2020

During the council meeting last night the council unanimously approved the contract to Williams Brothers Construction from Illinois to build the new wastewater plant. The link below shows the financial plan that was presented to the council during the meeting.

WRRF Financing Plan


January 21, 2020

Bids were opened on January 16, 2020 on the proposed new wastewater treatment plant. The city received bids from two contractors. 

See the Press Releases for more explanation.

WRRF Fact Sheet

WRRF Press Release


January 10, 2020

During the special council meeting on January 9th, HR Green a flyover video of the wastewater treatment plant site identifying the structures. The video can be seen below:


January 10, 2020

During the special council meeting on January 9th, HR Green a flyover video of the wastewater treatment plant site identifying the structures. The video can be seen below:


January 9, 2020

A special council meeting was held at the offices of the city's engineering firm, HR Green, in Johnston.
Topics of discussion were:
  • Presentation and discussion on the current status of the proposed     Water Resource Recovery Facility.
  • Presentation and discussion on the updated financial pro forma regarding the Sewer Fund utilizing current project cost estimates for    the Water Resource Recovery Facility.

December 29, 2019

Click here to see a rendering of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). This rendering and the above picture are looking southwest with Grimes Street south of the new treatment plant.

December 16, 2019

With the construction of the new plant scheduled to begin early next spring will come a new name change. The name will change from Water Pollution Control to Water Resource Recovery Facility to reflect a changing paradigm in the water sector, focusing on resource recovery. Part of the treatment process will reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus that gets discharged to the receiving stream. With the DNR approval of Antidegradation Analysis and Facility Plan, the city received approval of the Construction Permit from DNR on December 13, 2019. This was the final step from DNR the city needed to start the construction of the new plant. To view a copy of the approved Construction Permit click here.

November 6, 2019  (Dates updated January 20, 2020)

Here is the schedule showing the anticipated timeline:
  • Bid Documents available to bidders - November 11, 2019
  • Pre-Bid Meeting with contractors - December 12, 2019
  • Public Hearing - December 16, 2019
  • Bid Opening - January 16, 2020
  • Notice to Proceed - February 4, 2020
  • Substantial Completion - April 1, 2022
  • Fully Completed - June 10, 2022


July 30, 2018

Progress Towards the  Future - HR Green met with the City of Indianola and held an informational meeting about a new Wastewater Treatment Facility.

July 30, 2018

Progress Towards the  Future - HR Green met with the City of Indianola and held an informational meeting about a new Wastewater Treatment Facility.

May 16, 2016

During its study session, the City Council reviewed a financial model for the new wastewater treatment plant. The model is a long-term budgetary tool that allows the council to monitor the financial impacts as the city progresses with this much needed facility. As promised by the City, the financial model dedicates 100% of the local option sales tax towards this project. According to these projections, which will be reviewed on a regular basis, it is likely wastewater rates will remain at their current levels for some time. Click here to see the presentation that was reviewed.

May 2, 2016

The City Council approved the Facility Plan for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The Facility Plan is a document that presents the City's anticipated treatment technology and systems.  This document was submitted for review by the DNR following the City Council approval.  As part of this process, the City is required to provide a separate submittal called Antidegradation Analysis.  This analysis provides technical data on what would be released back into the environment once treated by the new wastewater treatment plant.  In the City's case, the technology that was selected in the Facility Plan is considered to be the most environmentally friendly solution of the options considered by the City.  The regulations for the antidegradation analysis requires that there be a 30 day comment period on the analysis.  As such, the City will be hosting an open house on August 24, 2016 from 5:30 - 6:30 during which our Engineer on this project will provide additional information. To view a copy of the complete Facility Plan click here.

November 6, 2019  (Dates updated January 20, 2020)

Here is the schedule showing the anticipated timeline:
  • Bid Documents available to bidders - November 11, 2019
  • Pre-Bid Meeting with contractors - December 12, 2019
  • Public Hearing - December 16, 2019
  • Bid Opening - January 16, 2020
  • Notice to Proceed - February 4, 2020
  • Substantial Completion - April 1, 2022
  • Fully Completed - June 10, 2022

July 30, 2018

Progress Towards the  Future - HR Green met with the City of Indianola and held an informational meeting about a new Wastewater Treatment Facility.

May 16, 2016

During its study session, the City Council reviewed a financial model for the new wastewater treatment plant. The model is a long-term budgetary tool that allows the council to monitor the financial impacts as the city progresses with this much needed facility. As promised by the City, the financial model dedicates 100% of the local option sales tax towards this project. According to these projections, which will be reviewed on a regular basis, it is likely wastewater rates will remain at their current levels for some time. Click here to see the presentation that was reviewed.

May 2, 2016

The City Council approved the Facility Plan for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The Facility Plan is a document that presents the City's anticipated treatment technology and systems.  This document was submitted for review by the DNR following the City Council approval.  As part of this process, the City is required to provide a separate submittal called Antidegradation Analysis.  This analysis provides technical data on what would be released back into the environment once treated by the new wastewater treatment plant.  In the City's case, the technology that was selected in the Facility Plan is considered to be the most environmentally friendly solution of the options considered by the City.  The regulations for the antidegradation analysis requires that there be a 30 day comment period on the analysis.  As such, the City will be hosting an open house on August 24, 2016 from 5:30 - 6:30 during which our Engineer on this project will provide additional information. To view a copy of the complete Facility Plan click here.

March 28, 2016

The City Council reviewed a draft of the facility plan for a new wastewater treatment plant. The facility plan is an important document that, once approved, will be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources to begin the permitting process.  The draft of the facility plan will be presented for formal consideration at an upcoming council meeting.

Reference Materials

  1. Site of Future Plant
  2. Site Plan 70 SCALE
  3. Indianola WRRF Looking SW
  4. Proposed Facility Plan April 2018
  5. Construction Permit December 2019