NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A $1.

Sunday, June 17, 2001

NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A $1.8 million water project, including new wells and improved filtration and water treatment, promises better water for the town’s residents.

&uot;It should improve the quality of our water and maybe soften it a little,&uot; said City Superintendent Craig Toft. &uot;But the big improvements will be in capacity and fire protection.&uot;

Toft said the current 165-foot well, in service since 1931, isn’t deep enough and isn’t meeting the town’s needs, especially in the summer. The new wells, which will be about 400 feet deep, will double the water available to residents.

Mayor Bob Perry said the new wells are over due.

&uot;We’ve had some supply problems for more than 10 years. It’s been a matter of getting the money together,&uot; he said.

Complaints from Northwood residents about the water increased two years ago when the town began to chlorinate the lines. The treatment process, required by the state, upsets the sediments in the town’s older water mains, turning the water yellowish brown. Toft said the new wells, along with better filtration and chlorination, should help the ease the problems.

&uot;The water situation won’t be completely solved until we replace old water mains,&uot; Toft said. &uot;But I would say people will be happier when this job is done.&uot;

Toft said the new well house and treatment facility will filter out more iron, softening the water a bit. Plus a new gas chlorination system should help remove chlorine odors. But water-quality regulations will always require chemical treatment.

The entire project, which includes a 12-inch water main connecting the new wells to the existing system, should be done before the end of the year. Perry hopes residents will be patient with the extension of the water line.

&uot;People will have to deal with some construction along Seventh Street, but it will be worth it when it’s finished,&uot; he said.