NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 7, 2020
CONTACT: Brad Palmer, Utilities Director, 605.773.7407
Water Treatment Facility Design Unveiled
People living in Pierre now have a good idea what their new water treatment facility will look like and what it’ll cost.
The building design was unveiled at tonight’s City Commission meeting along with the estimated total project cost of $37.5 million. Of that cost, $33.1 million is specific to construction. The remainder accounts for the engineering, design, and architectural services that went into the project.
The City used a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) agreement for this project. PKG Contracting, Inc., teaming with Scull Construction Services Inc., holds that agreement and is responsible for keeping the construction cost at $33.1 million or less.
Tonight, the City Commission approved the initial facility design, as well as the construction cost.
“Since June of 2018, we have been waiting to see what this operation is going to look like, and I am very excited to get the construction started,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “This is a quality-of-life improvement that will serve our community for generations.”
The facility design is 24 months in the making and is far more complex than the low-profile, flat-topped building that will be visible in Steamboat Park. Almost half of facility is underground and includes piping that takes the water from the Missouri River to the facility, as well as underground water treatment mechanisms and holding tanks.
The first part of the operation to be built will be the water intake. It will be located in the river on the north side of the Missouri River Bridge and water will be pumped to the facility; if plans go according to schedule, that work will begin next month.
“With approval from the City Commission, solicitations for bids of the intake construction work, as well as the other segments of the construction work will begin immediately,” said Brad Palmer, City Utilities Director.
Late this year, excavation at the site of the water treatment facility will begin. By fall next year, the building should start to take shape. In mid-2022, the system will be in place to begin the transition to treated water.
“By fall 2022, we hope to have the water flowing from the new facility to your faucet,” said Palmer.
With 73% of the vote, in June 2018, Pierre voters approved the plan to build a new water treatment facility in Steamboat Park to reduce the high mineral content found in Pierre’s current water supply. Surface water from the Missouri River will be treated and distributed to the community. This plan, as approved by voters, includes raising residential water rates by approximately $1 a day.