Part 3 - Iowa Rural Water Association

Community Spotlight:
HARTLEY, IA
Dan Shepherd, Circuit Rider West
T
he City of Hartley had been known to have some of
the hardest water in northwest Iowa prior to 2009. It
receives it water from the Dakota sandstone aquifer
which can produce mineral -rich water.
The source water was previously
treated by aeration and filtration
for iron removal. But it still
retained extremely high
hardness, sulfate and total
dissolved solids levels. This
gave Hartley its reputation
for some of the poorest
drinking water in the state.
With the City’s treatment
facility showing signs of age
(some of the equipment dated back
as far as 1940) and no other source of
water available, they decided to do a
pilot program with a reverse osmosis (RO)
system to make sure it would work with
the type of water that is available. After
running the pilot and confirming it would
work, they did a feasibility study on the
RO process. They took it to the citizens to
see if they were willing to pay a higher
water rate for higher quality water. The
consensus from the public led them to the
next step to apply and receive a $500,000
community development block grant
(CDBG) to help offset the cost of the project
for low and moderate income residents in
the City of Hartley.
22
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
The City of Hartley and their engineering firm (HR Green)
completed a preliminary report to identify a workable
water treatment solution and potential cost savings.
Cost savings identified were: The reuse of existing facilities
including two wells, a clear well, two high service pumps,
a selection of two RO treatment trains capable of treating
the well water to make it safer and more palatable and
the modification of the existing filter building into a cold
storage building.
HR Green designed and constructed a 4,500 square
foot building to house a new 308 gallon per minute (gpm)
reverse osmosis water treatment facility, expandable
to 462 gpm. What is included in this design is two RO
treatment trains, one post treatment aerator, a clean
in-place system, chemical feed and storage facilities,
on-line water quality instrumentation, SCADA system,
engine generator mechanical and electrical rooms,
office/laboratory, restroom, electrical modifications to
an existing pump house, removal of two existing steel
pressure filters, complete demolition of an existing pump
building and clearwell, and associated site work.
To get the new facility located on the original site it
took a unique building layout and secondary containment
around the engine generator. It was placed in between
an existing water tower, well and clearwell, without
moving any existing facilities and keeping the facilities
in operation throughout construction. The use of variable
frequency drives were installed on the two wells and a
two-stage booster pumping system was included on each
RO treatment train to reduce energy cost. To reduce
chemical cost, a post treatment aerator was installed
to reduce chemical usage for Ph control. SCADA on-
line water quality instrumentation was installed to allow
full automation of the facility. To provide operational
conveniences, the site’s first laboratory and restroom
were installed.
During design the City received an award of $1.04
million in ARRA funding. As the project design reached
completion and the ARRA funding requirements were
still being developed, the bidding and construction
award process was closely monitored, modified, and
coordinated with the successful contractor to ensure all
ARRA and CDBG funding were met and the benefits of
this funding were realized by the community.
With the city’s multiple funding sources HR Green
performed a water rate study to determine the appropriate
water rates to account for existing and future expenses
and dept obligations. The overall cost of this project is
anticipated to be less than $3.1 million. $1.04 million
in ARRA funding and $0.5 million in CDBG funding has
allowed Hartley to reduce its bond obligation and pass
less of the cost of the project on to its citizens. In addition,
the net change orders of negative $13,062 through
substantial completion has allowed the City to allocate
some of the remaining project funds toward replacing
some additional aging piping and valves and restore
two existing building to extend their useful life. Public
flyers addressing the new water rates were distributed
throughout the community to educated the public on the
basis and need for the water rate increases.
In July 2010 the facility was 90 percent completed and
started pumping the newly treated water to its customers.
The quality of the water nearly changed overnight from
a hardness of nearly 1,300 mg/l to approximately
130 mg/l, a sulfate concentration of over 2,000 mg/l
to approximately 150 mg/l and a total dissolved solids
(TDS) concentration of over 2,000 mg/l to approximately
300mg/l.
The residents of Hartley now are enjoying some of
the highest quality drinking water available in Iowa after
endured some of poorest quality drinking water in the
state. Residents can now drink water straight from the tap
as most other communities can. Prior to the new treatment
most of the community purchased their drinking water
separately from the public water supply. Most Hartley
residents can eliminate or significantly reduce their use of
personal home water softeners. Home water heaters will
last longer than the typical two or three years. Plumbing
and fixtures will see less staining and plugging. Local
restaurants will no longer need to purchase ice they can
make themselves. The community will experience greater
cost savings from reduced purchase of drinking water,
reduced softener salt usage, and reduced plumbing work
than they will see in increased water rates required to
pay for the new treatment facility. With the reduction in
uses of water softeners it is anticipated to help the City
to meet chloride discharge limits. The quality of life in
Hartley has improved as a result of this project.
VESSCO
INC.
Ames, IA
Cory Sonner
Sales Engineer
Cell (515) 509-0470
csonner@vessco.com
A Process Equipment Company
Chanhassen, MN
414 South 17th Street • Suite 101 • Ames, IA 50010
Phone (515) 233-8599 • Fax (515) 233-8602 • www.vessco.com
NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION
Rural
Development
APPLY TODAY!
Loan
Revolving
F U N D
Money is now available for loans up to $100,000
with 10 year term and low interest rates.
The NRWA Revolving Loan Fund was established
under a grant from USDA/RUS to provide
financing to utilities for pre-development
costs associated with proposed water and
wastewater projects. RLF funds can also be used
with existing water/wastewater systems and the
short term costs incurred for replacement equipment,
small scale extension of services or other small
capital projects.
“You provided the help that we needed when we needed it
and in a timely manner.
Thanks for making it possible and so convenient to obtain a loan
in our time of need…”
Director - Rural Water PWS
for more information
contact david@nrwa.org
or go to:
www.nrwa.org
Systems applying must be public entities. This
includes municipalities, counties, special purpose
districts, Native American Tribes and corporations
not operated for profit, including cooperatives,
with up to 10,000 population and rural areas with
no population limits.
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CONFERENCES 2014
SEPT. 30 - OCT. 1, 2014
Dubuque Fall Conference
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2014
Okoboji Fall Conference
Arrowwood Resort • 1405 Hwy. 71
Grand River Center • 500 Bell Street
Tuesday Classes
Full Registration Includes:
CEU processing, all breaks and meals. Complete the registration
form and mail to IRWA along with payment. Please use one form for
each person registering.
7:00 AM
7:45
8:00 – 9:00
Hotel Reservations can be made at the following hotels:
Okoboji: Arrowwood Resort - 712-332-2161
Reservation deadline is August 1st, 2014
AmericInn of Lake Okoboji - 712-332-9000
Dubuque: Grand Harbor Resort - 563-690-3270
Reservation deadline is August 30th, 2014
9:00 – 10:00
CEUs:
Up to 10 CEU hours will be offered for water distribution, water
treatment or wastewater. CEU’s can be split. CEU forms must be
completed before you leave the training session.
10:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 11:30
Golf Tournament – 4:00 PM
2-Man best shot golf tournament to be held at Brooks Golf Club
(Okoboji) and Lacoma Golf Club (Dubuque). Must sign up by 10:00
AM Tuesday at the IRWA registration desk.
Shooting Tournament – 4:00 PM
Lorna Puntillo, ACT, LLC
11:30 – 12:30
Okoboji—Following the sporting events, join us at Arrowwood Resort
for a BBQ, which is included with your paid full registration.
Dubuque—Following the sporting events, join us at Lacoma Golf Club
for a “Grill Your Own Steak” event, which is included with your paid
full registration.
Ingestion of Nitrate and Nitrite from Drinking Water &
Dietary Sources: What Are the health Risks? (WT, WD)
Peter Weyer, University of Iowa
Identifying I & I Sources
& Cost Effective Repair Methods (WW)
Lee Haessig & Greg Piper, Cretex Specialty Products
12:30 – 1:15 PM Lunch
1:15 – 2:15
Water Modeling – a Valuable Tool for Your City’s
Future (WT, WD) OKO - Taylor Hopper, Fox Engineering;
DBQ – Joe Thompson, Fox Engineering
Cured-In-Place Pipe and Manhole Line (WW)
Doug Severson, Visu-Sewer
2:15 – 2:30
Break
2:30 – 3:30
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Updates
(WT, WD) OKO-Julie Sievers, IDNR;
DBQ-Amber Sausser, IDNR
NPDES Updates (WW)
Courtney Cswercko, IDNR
Wednesday Classes
7:30 AM
8:00 – 9:00
Registration/Continental Breakfast
Chemical Pump Maintenance & Repairs (WT,WD)
9:00 – 10:00
How to Move a Sewer Located Under Houses
— Case Study (WW) Michael Roth, HR Green
Disinfection of Tanks & Mains — Sample Protocol
(WT, WD) Gary Brons, McClure Engineering
Enaqua UV Systems Presentation (WW)
To be held at the Okoboji Game Farm located in Milford. Bring your
own gun. Shells can be purchased on-site or bring your own. Must
sign up by 10:00 AM at the IRWA registration desk.
BBQ – 6:15 PM
Break
Iron and Manganese Breakthrough
Troubleshooting (WT, WD)
Brian Henry, Hawkins Water Treatment Group
NRWPAC Rifle Raffle – Conference Times
Help support the National Rural Water Political Action Committee by
purchasing your raffle tickets for a chance to win a rifle!
OKO - Dale Barrie, Iowa Rural Water Assoc;
DBQ - Patrick Callahan, Callahan Municipal Consultants
Chloride Compliance Strategies (WW)
Questions:
Call the Iowa Rural Water Association at 800/747-7782 or
641/787-0330.
Cancellation Policy:
If written cancellation notice is received by September 1st for
Okoboji and September 22nd for Dubuque, you will receive a full
refund minus a $25 administration fee. No refunds will be issued for
either conference after these dates.
Registration/Continental Breakfast/Exhibits
Opening Remarks/Welcome
Financing/Funding for Water and Wastewater
Projects (WT, WD, WW) Michael Hart, Northland Securities
Dealing with the CAVE People (WT, WD, WW)
Rhonda Guy, Professional Operator Management
OKO-Rick McIntyre, Enaqua;
DBQ - Taylor Reynolds, Enaqua
10:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 11:30
Break
Controls/Panels (WT, WD, WW)
11:30 – 12:30
Confined Spaces-Hydrogen Sulfide
“The Stinky Killer” (WT, WD, WW)
12:30 PM
CEU’s
TBD
Lorna Puntillo, ACT, LLC
* Topics subject to change.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register On-Line at
www.iowaruralwater.org
OKOBOJI, IA
DUBUQUE, IA
SEPT. 9-10, 2014 • ARROWWOOD RESORT
SEPT. 30 - OCT. 1, 2014 • GRAND RIVER CENTER
(One Registrant Per Form. Please Copy for Additional Registrants)
(One Registrant Per Form. Please Copy for Additional Registrants)
Name: __________________________________________________
Name: __________________________________________________
Name for Badge: ________________________________________
Name for Badge: ________________________________________
City/Company: __________________________________________
City/Company: __________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City:_________________________State: _____Zip: ____________
City:_________________________State: _____Zip: ____________
Day Phone: _____________________________________________
Day Phone: _____________________________________________
E-Mail: _________________________________________________
E-Mail: _________________________________________________
Registration Fees:
Registration Fees:
Before Sept. 1st
IRWA Member - Full Reg.
IRWA Member - 1 Day
After Sept. 1st
$130
$140
$80
$90
Before Sept. 22nd
IRWA Member - Full Reg.
IRWA Member - 1 Day
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
After Sept. 22nd
$130
$140
$80
$90
Non-Member - Full Reg.
$185
$195
Non-Member - Full Reg.
$185
$195
Non-Member - 1 Day
$110
$120
Non-Member - 1 Day
$110
$120
$______
$______
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Total Due:
$______
$______
Total Due:
Payment is Required with Registration
Payment is Required with Registration
Please make checks payable to:
Iowa Rural Water Association
4221 S. 22nd Ave E., Newton, IA 50208
Please make checks payable to:
Iowa Rural Water Association
4221 S. 22nd Ave E., Newton, IA 50208
If you would like to pay by credit card,
for security purposes please register through
our website at www.iowaruralwater.org
If you would like to pay by credit card,
for security purposes please register through
our website at www.iowaruralwater.org
A Job Well Done!
Danny Shepherd
Our western Iowa Circuit Rider since last year, Danny Shepherd, has left IRWA to go back to work for
the City of Hartley—his hometown (featured in the Community Spotlight article in this issue). During his
time at IRWA, Danny worked with a lot of communities facing serious weather-related issues due to the
incredibly cold winter. We wish Danny the best of luck at the City of Hartley!
Mark Devine
Our new western Iowa Circuit Rider is Mark Devine. Since 2000, Mark worked for PeopleService as the
lead operator in the City of Grimes. From 1997 to 2000 he was a partner/owner of AAA Trenching
and Specialized Boring. Primarily he worked in underground directional boring which included laying
new water and sewer lines and other utility services. He worked extensively with Warren Water District
on main repairs, new services, meter pit installs, leak detection. We are excited to have Mark on the
IRWA team and look forward to working with him!
Lisa Walters
On July 6 this year, Lisa Walters, Source Water Specialist celebrated her 10 year
anniversary with IRWA. Lisa is a graduate of Iowa State University in Environmental
Science, College of Agriculture. Over the past 10 years, she has developed dozens
of source water protection plans for communities and regional water utilities across
the state. She is serving her second term as a Governor’s appointee on the Watershed
Improvement Review Board. She has been a long standing member of Environmental
Professionals of Iowa, National Groundwater Association, and the Iowa Groundwater
Association where she was elected as Vice President-President Elect in 2008 and she
continued to serve as the Newsletter Editor. Lisa is a leader in the Source Water field
in Iowa and has been repeatedly sought after nationally for her knowledge and expertise.
Lisa remains involved with soil and water conservation by serving as an assistant commissioner for Polk County. In addition
to her passion for helping water utilities protect their water source, Lisa has an equal passion for educating and inspiring
young people about water resources and protection. She has been involved in all of IRWA’s efforts to reach out to the youth
of Iowa. Her colleagues at IRWA continually rely on her knowledge and expertise. We are grateful for Lisa’s dedication and
congratulate her on her 10 years with IRWA.
Dale Barrie Celebrates 10 Years at IRWA
This August 2, Dale Barrie will celebrate 10 years of service at IRWA. Actually, Dale’s
service to IRWA and water utilities across the state dates back to being a founding
member of the IRWA Community Advisory Committee and then serving as IRWA’s
first Community Board Member. He joined the staff of IRWA as the Western Circuit
Rider, and last year he became IRWA’s Training Specialist. During these years, he has
been instrumental in greatly improving the level of technical assistance and training
the Association offers. He has developed many tools and spreadsheets which water
utilities can use to improve their operations. Without a doubt his great achievement
along these lines has been the development of what is now the most used water and
wastewater rate study program in the state.
Because of his background with both ground and surface water plants and his experience in utility management at Winterset,
he is a leading expert in Iowa in technical, managerial and financial assistance and training for utilities. He has become a
mentor for many utility professionals as well as a mentor to his fellow IRWA staff members. He is truly an invaluable source
of knowledge and expertise to those he assists. We are grateful to Dale for his dedication and congratulate him on his 10
years with IRWA
28
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
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Associate Member Spotlight:
ACT Safe Associate
John Veach, Wastewater Technician West
T
he Iowa Rural Water Association (IRWA) recently
acquired a new member: ACT, LLC out of Sioux City,
Iowa. ACT, LLC, is an Iowa Based – Women Owned
Small Business. Offering compliance management
through upstream preventative solutions, ensuring
employee safety, protection of assets, and reducing
impact on the environment is their mission statement.
The group is made up of former regulators, compliance
officers and compliance managers. The company offers
temporary to fulltime DOT, safety and health, emergency
management and environmental services to support
companies in developing sustainable compliance. Plus,
the staff provides 24 hour technical support.
Their team of expert consultants has over 5,000
years of experience in various businesses and industries.
They partner with systems and small communities to
develop an annual compliance package to focus on
those areas of highest importance/exposure. ACT has
the capabilities to administer a complete compliance
management program and/or work with an established
program to provide assistance where needed.
The company goal is to minimize or eliminate
compliance issues including exposure. These services can
be especially important to small companies who cannot
afford a full-time compliance professional or to companies
who are restructuring their operations. Recommendations
are made by ACT to reduce or eliminate clients’ exposure.
They have worked with the City of Sioux City, City of
Alton, Oklahoma DEQ, and Iowa DNR.
ACT offers the following services:
•Define and explain required regulations,
•Audit to measure compliance levels and/or identify
exposure risks,
•Identify applicable regulations and correlate
compliance activities,
•Assist with “permitting” requirements,
• Develop policies and procedures,
• Evaluate adequacy of current programs,
• Conduct required and informational training,
• Assist in developing and managing compliance
programs, and
• Find alternatives to reduce exposure and violations.
One such project they are working on is with the
City of Alton on collection system testing and source
30
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
identification in an effort to help the City determine
what direction needs to be taken to meet their projected
January 1, 2018 compliance deadline for NPDES
discharge limits for Chloride. Sampling and analysis
on all of the relative waste streams in the community
have been completed. The City and ACT are working
with the identified industrial contributors on possible
internal chloride control. ACT is working with the City to
perform additional sampling of the WWTP to determine
treatability of chlorides. Due to the high historical loading
of chlorides the residual chlorides in the lagoon system are
higher than desired. The City is evaluating the domestic
background concentration of chlorides due to the number
of water softeners in the community that contributes to the
overall chloride loading.
ACT also provides needed services for clients during
and following natural disasters. They assist with tornado,
winter disasters, hurricane and flood clean up all over
North America.
One of their most recent volunteer efforts was on June
19, 2014. ACT Team Members worked alongside Radius
Steel of Sioux City to sandbag almost 70 tons of sand.
Sandbagging efforts began as Siouxland home owners
were faced with the second flood in half a decade.
MEET SOME OF THEIR TEAM MEMBERS:
Ms. Lorna Puntillo is the cofounder and CEO of ACT Safe,
LLC. Ms. Puntillo started her
career as a Bioenvironmental
Engineering Specialist with the
US Air Force in 1989. With
over 25 years in Environmental,
Health and Safety Ms. Puntillo
has worked in a multitude
of businesses, industries and
municipalities.
Ms.
Puntillo
was formally a Commissioner for the State of Iowa –
Environmental Protection Commission. She believes that
through understanding regulations and obstacles faced
while trying to adhere to standards companies can find a
meaningful and cost effective happy medium.
Mr. Robert Luckey is the cofounder and President of ACT
Safe, LLC. Mr. Luckey has been
in safety since 1991. He is a
highly motivated Sales Manager
with over twenty years of success
in Construction and Industrial
Sales.
Tim
Saulsbury
and Kevin Poss
DPT DPT of Physical
Therapy Specialists
P.C. – Cooperative
Partner,
providing
onsite ergonomic and
injury assessment as
part of their private
practice clinic based
out of Sioux City,
Iowa. They assist a variety of companies from health care
to heavy manufacturing reduce the number of recordable
injuries, create a safer work site and improve the work
place environment.
Margaret J. Newton is
a Safety Professional, ACT
Cooperative Partner, provides
safety and health services,
addressing the needs of the
private and public sectors
including but not limited to
auditing and training, creating
MSDSs and implementing record
retention.
Doug Fletcher, CEO of Fletcher Safety – Cooperative
Partner. Mr. Fletcher has worked as a Safety and Health
professional for over 23 years. He is a Certified Safety
Professional (CSP) and a Certified Industrial Hygienist
(CIH). Prior to starting Fletcher Safety Consulting, Inc.,
Doug worked for OSHA’s Omaha Area Office. During his
17 years with OSHA, he served as a Compliance Safety
and Health Officer (CSHO), Assistant Area Director and
as the Acting Area Director of both the Omaha and Des
Moines Area Offices.
IRWA is excited to have ACT, LLC as a new Associate
Member of the Association. Look for them as presenters
and exhibitors at our Fall Conferences.
We are different. Are you tired of leak detection services and devices that
brag of low prices and don’t deliver? We find your leaks, teach your staff,
and sell you equipment if needed, to continue to do the job right. Owned by
the man who personally has trained more people in leak detection than any
other! We are the Midwest reps. for the SubSurface line of leak detectors,
correlators, and line tracers-equipment that works and that YOU can use!
No big claims just honest results.
Call Steve Hiveley - Cell: 515-681-4727 or Home Office: 515-795-2417
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
31
Clean water is everybody’s business.
HR Green has tackled water challenges
for over 100 years with a careful business
approach at every step of the journey: design,
construction, ownership and operation.
Cedar Rapids | Des Moines | Sioux City
Phone 800.728.7805
Learn more at HRGreen.com
Every drop
along the way...
Clean. Safe. Sustainable.
Utility Service Co., Inc. has proudly served the potable and industrial water industries for over 50 years.
Today’s Utility Service Group provides comprehensive condition assessments, rehabilitation services and
sustainable asset management solutions throughout the whole water cycle.
Infrastructure Asset Management Services
Water Tanks | Water Wells| Valve & Hydrants | GIS
Industry Leading Water Quality Technology
Water Tank Chemical Cleaning | Water Tank Active Mixing | Pipe Cleaning (Ice Pigging) | THM Removal
Water Network Efficiency
Leak Detection Services | Smart Metering
•• ••
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Jim Marek
515.205.0101
jmarek@utilityservice.com
32
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
utilityservice.com
Get access to exclusive RURAL WATER Pricing
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Save up to $5,000 on an
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Contact your State Association to get your fleet discount
visit nrwa.org/fleet for more information
* all disounts are subject to change. Savings depend on model chosen.
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
33
Regional System Spotlight:
Poweshiek Water Association
History of Poweshiek Water Association
Marvin Hicks, out of concern for the high levels of naturally
occurring nitrates found in his well water near Guernsey,
Iowa, first approached friend and neighbor Lee King.
They both went to the director of the Poweshiek County
Extension Director, Charles Wengert, to inquire about
the procedures of starting a rural water district. From this
initial contact, an informational meeting was set for July 7,
1977 at the Malcom Auditorium in Malcom, Iowa which
approximately 100 persons attended. At the following
meeting, a board of 13 members was elected.
Poweshiek Water was incorporated in mid-1978.
A consulting firm, Bartlett and West Engineers, Inc., of
Topeka, Kansas, was retained in March, 1978, to design
a system and file an application for a FmHA loan. The
board members made several trips to Washington D.C.
to secure an interest rate for the loan that would allow for
a fair water rate for the future customers of the district.
Due to a greater demand for funds than were available,
the project was finally funded in April of 1983 by FmHA
with $5,687,100 in grant and $7,912,900 in loan at a
6.125% interest rate. The original office then opened in
downtown Brooklyn in August of 1983.
The Association changed organizational status from a
504A non-profit to a 357A Public Body in January 1984.
Following the Iowa Code, the board size was reduced
from thirteen to nine.
Bid letting took place in March 1984 for the distribution
system and towers and in June 1984 for the treatment
plant and wells. The original project was declared finished
on July 26, 1985. Ground breaking at the Tama Treatment
Plant was Oct. 6, 1984 and the plant started pumping
water September 10, 1985.
The original PWA water system served approximately
1,300 individual meters. The communities who were
supplied water by PWA at that time were Barnes City,
Guernsey and Gibson. The counties served by PWA
initially were Poweshiek, Tama, Iowa, Northwestern
Keokuk, Northern Mahaska and Eastern Jasper. The
company employed 7 full time employees and two part
time employees.
Today at Poweshiek Water Association
The current office of the Association was built in the
Brooklyn, Iowa Industrial Park in 2001 and began
operations in 2002. 13 water towers, 13 booster stations
and over 3,200 miles of pipeline, ranging in size from 2”
to 16”, supply water to 7,300 individual meters located in
the counties of: Poweshiek, Tama, Iowa, Keokuk, Mahaska,
Jasper, Benton, Linn, Johnson, Marshall and Black Hawk.
Those Communities served bulk water by PWA include:
34
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
Barnes City, Clutier, Hickory Hollow, Malcom, Millersburg,
Dysart, Brooklyn, Chelsea, Elberon, Norway, Deep River,
Van Horne, Holiday Lake and Timber Ridge Estates.
Guernsey, Gibson, Vining, Luzene, Thornburg, Searsboro,
Buckingham, Dinsdale, Irving, Watkins, Conroy and
Hartwick are communities that have been franchised. PWA
currently has connections to provide emergency water to
the following communities/entities: Grinnell, Traer, Parnell,
Montezuma and Central Iowa Water Association.
Treatment Facilities
Poweshiek Water Association has two treatment
facilities. One plant is located south of Tama while the
other is located near South Amana. The Tama Treatment
Plant, a lime softening facility, was doubled in size in
1997 to its current production levels. This plant utilizes 14
shallow alluvial wells to supply up to 2,800,000 gallons
of water per day to the system with a hardness of 5 to 7
grains. Storage capacity at the facility is presently 900,000
gallons.
Built in 2008, the Amana Treatment Plant uses a
reverse osmosis system where the water is treated to a level
of approximately 5 grains of hardness. PWA has three
vertical and two angle wells that provide water from this
location. Currently the Amana facility has the capability of
providing 800,000 gallons per day with the possibility of
expansion in the future. The storage capacity at the Amana
Plant is 400,000 gallons.
Since 2001, PWA has had an agreement with the city
of Cedar Rapids to purchase up to 1,600,000 gallons of
water per day. Water purchased from Cedar Rapids is
lime-softened and maintained at 7 to 8 grains of hardness.
Sanitary Systems
PWA owns and operates sewer systems in Conroy,
Millersburg, Watkins, and Barnes City. Barnes City,
Conroy and Millersburg are lagoon treatment systems
while Watkins utilizes the Advantex Mechanical Treatment
System. All sanitary sewer systems have been constructed
within the last 10 years.
Employees
In order to keep both the water system and the
sanitary sewer systems running smoothly, Poweshiek Water
Association is provided oversight by 8 board members
while employing 20 fulltime employees and 1 part time
employee. The company has personnel dedicated to the
office, field-tech work, construction of new water lines
and water services, GPS and GIS of the current system,
easement acquisitions, along with water and wastewater
treatment.
When dealing with water or wastewater customers,
whether they have been with the company for a time,
are new to the system or may be potentially coming on;
the board and employees of PWA firmly believe in their
mission statement which reads:
To value our customers by providing them with good
quality water, reliable services and treating them with the
highest level of professionalism to improve their quality
of life.
Summer ‘14
Water Street Journal
35
IRWA Scholarship
Winners 2014-15
T
he Iowa Rural Water Association was pleased to receive excellent scholarship applications this year. We have
awarded three $500 scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year. The recipients are:
Lewis Braster – Lewis is the son of Martin Braster, Support Services Officer for Rathbun
Regional Water Association. Lewis is planning on attending Central College, Simpson
College or Truman State University for Pre-Medicine or Pre-Physical Therapy. Lewis is a
recipient of the 2014 Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award, graduated with honors from
Centerville High School, served as a member of the student council all four years of high
school and played an active role in planning and conducting Operation Santa winter
clothes and gift drives and Lord’s Cupboard food collection drives for families in need. He
completed a total of 66 hours as a volunteer observer in the physical therapy clinic at Mercy
Medical Center.
Kevin McGee – Kevin is the son of Teresa McGee who serves on the City Council for the City of Cresco. Kevin
graduated from Crestwood High School and is attending the University of Northern Iowa studying Quantitative
Economics. Kevin has been active in the Math Club at UNI and is an Economics/Accounting tutor. He has also received
numerous awards such as UNI Business Scholar and National Society of Collegiate Scholars while staying active with
the Iowa High School Athletic Association as an umpire. Kevin plans on completing a Master of Economics degree.
Alexandria Samson – Alexandria is the daughter of Mark Samson who serves as
the Prairie City Water Technician. Alexandria graduated from Prairie City-Monroe and is
attending Wartburg College studying in Environmental Science/Biology. Alexandria served
as Chapter President and Chapter Reporter for FFA during High School. She has earned
numerous State and National Agronomy Individual and Team contests. Alexandria has
also been inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition to school Alexandria also
worked as an Office Coordinator at the “W” Recreation Facility in Waverly.
All of these awardees are goal-oriented with strong work ethics. The members of the Iowa Rural Water Association
congratulate each of these fine students and wish them best in their future endeavors.
PRST STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Des Moines, IA
Permit No. 762
4221 S. 22nd Avenue East
Newton, IA 50208
For the latest news and updates
www.iowaruralwater.org