Most of the Washington’s distribution system consisted of small diameter cast iron lines that were installed in the 1914. The City was reporting a 26% waterloss and had over a dozen main breaks each year. The aging cast iron system had reached the end of its useful life and needed replaced. The City contracted with BG Consultants to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report for the purpose of identifying the problems and submitting for Funding to help correct the problems.

The Preliminary Engineering Report identified options and recommended approximately 55,000 FT of water line replacement. The City was also diverting raw water from three groundwater wells to a water treatment plant that was constructed in 1914. The only part of the treatment plant that was still in use is the concrete clearwell. Water from the wells is diverted to the clearwell where disinfection occurs and then is pumped into the distribution system. The PER made recommendations to replace the above ground piping and to install new control and monitoring devices that would allow the City to control and monitor their system with a new SCADA system. 

The City was able to acquire a CDBG Grant and a USDA RD Grant and Loan for their project funding. Funding was received in March 2019 and the project was bid in December 2019. Construction started on March 1st of 2020 and was completed in spring of 2021.

The design included 9,000 L.F. of 8" Waterline, 35,000 L.F.  6" Waterline, 7,000 L.F. of 4" C-900 Waterline, 2,00 L.F. 2" Waterline, New AMR System with 770 AMR meters, new SCADA system, new process piping for their 3 groundwater wells and water treatment plant.