Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

OSKALOOSA — The City of Oskaloosa is asking residents to participate in a survey aimed at keeping sewer prices reasonable as the city prepares to update its wastewater treatment facilities.

In keeping with Iowa Department of Natural Resources mandates, the city is required to construct a new wastewater treatment facility no later than 2027.

“Our existing treatment facilities are very dated,” said Sean Murphy, senior engineering technician for the City of Oskaloosa. “They’re using technologies that are no longer really built for new treatment facilities, and there’s been some maintenance issues.

"We’ve actually had concrete structures that have needed some pretty significant intention and rebuilding in order to keep them in service, so the long and short of it is that we are in need of new facilities.”

Currently, the plan is to build the new facility at the existing Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant site and combine the facilities into one.

However, in the current economy, costs for construction are increasingly high.

According to Gordian, a data firm that focuses on facility and construction cost data, 71% of all construction materials have seen an increase in price between 2021 and 2022. Additionally, 98% of all construction labor rates and 71% of construction equipment prices have also increased over that same time period. Structural steel, for example, has seen a 24% cost increase, while ready-mix concrete has increased by 28%.

One bright spot amidst these steadily-increasing construction costs is that after months of skyrocketing prices, the cost of standard construction lumber has finally fallen by 6%, meaning that consumers can at last begin to look forward to a little relief when lumber yard prices eventually start to fall.

Still, these overall increases in construction prices mean that the city is getting creative with ways to keep sewer costs down for city residents, even as they look ahead to building a new wastewater treatment facility that will be able to meet modern standards. Some design estimates for the facility are in the range of $70 million, so finding ways to fund the project is a top priority for the city, Murphy says.

In an effort to do just that, the city has partnered with a survey team from Simmering-Cory to collect community data that will enable Oskaloosa to apply for grants to help cover construction costs. Survey teams will be going door-to-door in the Oskaloosa community on the weekends of Sept. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. They will be wearing identifying lanyards and will be asking three questions:

The survey will not ask about residents' income or any personal information, and all answers will be confidential.

This community data is being gathered so the city can apply for a Community Development Block Grant, which could fund up to $500,000 of the project. Community Development Block Grants are administered through the Iowa Economic Authority. The goal of the grant is to “Develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes.” To be eligible for the grant, all projects must meet the National Objectives as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to the Iowa Economic Authority’s website.

The city's engineering department is taking point on this project and highly encourages residents to participate in the survey in the interests of keeping sewer costs reasonable for residents in coming years. The department will be pursuing other grants in addition to this one.

Any questions residents have may be addressed to Murphy. He can be reached by calling 641-673-7472 or by emailing smurphy@oskaloosaiowa.org.

Channing Rucks can be reached at crucks@oskyherald.com.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.