(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha has taken the first step toward the construction of a new water treatment plant.
The Hiawatha City Commission this week approved an engineering agreement with BG Consultants, of Lawrence, for the design of the new plant.
The Commission also gave engineer Brian Foster approval to move ahead with the preliminary design of the plant even though the city will not learn until May 1st if it has received final approval for a low-interest loan through USDA Rural Development for the project.
Foster presented Commissioners with a revised cost estimate for project of just over $4.9 million, slightly under what had originally been estimated.
He said bid letting for the project is expected around this time next year.
The new ion exchange plant is being built to address the ongoing problem of high nitrate levels in the city’s water supply system.
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