PCWA moving ahead on treatment plant

“It is ideally situated to locate a water ‘package plant’ that will receive and process the water from both Mulco and Ammon springs,” he said. “The purchase was made anticipating that a new plant would be installed to work in coordination with our water treatment facility at Deaton Spring.”

No cost estimates have been provided, but Damron said funding would come from a variety of sources.

“Once this plant is complete,” he said, “we will have treated and filtered water across the county. “We’re drinking some of the best water in the state, and there’s plenty of it.”

Following his announcement, DAPC board members inquired about the possibility of countywide sewerage.

Damron said this project has been discussed for several years. Studies have been completed and the cost estimate is “in the millions.”

Jason Ward, Polk commissioner and ex-officio member of DAPC, said the county has traditionally favored placing infrastructure in industrial or business growth areas.

The group concluded that there is no simple solution to the problem but agreed that it is needed, especially along major transportation corridors.

Chairman David Williams reminded that it would worthwhile to study the issue. “Perhaps it could be an item for Blueprint Polk,” he said.