Agencies Recognize Clarinda, Iowa Water Improvements
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will honor the city of Clarinda, Iowa, on Thursday for a series of drinking water system improvements that are benefiting citizens and customers of a nearby rural water district in southwestern Page County.
The 2008 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Award will be formally presented to members of the Clarinda City Council and other city officials at this week's council meeting, which is scheduled for April 23 at City Hall in Clarinda.
The award honors Clarinda's construction of a new surface water treatment plant, improvements to a water intake structure, and construction of a ground storage reservoir and connector main. Clarinda built the treatment plant with finances from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and from the Page 1 Rural Water District, which purchases water at cost from Clarinda.
The new plant, which has been in operation for about a year, costs about $15,000 less per year to maintain than its predecessor. The new facility was built on land donated by Clarinda resident Norman Wynn, which further lessened overall costs of the project to customers of both water systems.
"Many small communities around the country are being challenged to replace their aging water infrastructure," said William Rice, acting regional administrator. "The city of Clarinda has taken a successful approach to this problem that ensures clean, safe drinking water with minimal financial burdens for its citizens and rural neighbors. EPA salutes this achievement."