TAMA -- Council members on Monday decided to add on to the city's water treatment plant.

The project involves putting in a new filter and allows room for additional expansion in the future, Mayor Chris Bearden said.

The 5-0 vote came after council members addressed problems with the community's aging treatment system.

A study by McClure Engineering indicated the city's water filter wasn't keeping up, and a review showed the system was rusting and in poor shape, Bearden said. The existing filter, he added, would likely only last the city another 18 months.

"It's old. It's probably 20 or 25 years old," Bearden said. "Basically our problem is the filtering of the water."

The existing filter leaves the city with discolored water, but poses no health threat, Bearden added.

McClure Engineering will draw up plans for the 800-square-foot addition. Construction on the estimated $1.3 million project is expected to begin in the spring.

The city has about $400,000 saved for the project, the mayor said, but addressing the water problems likely will require a rate increase. Bearden noted the city hasn't increased water rates in years and the fees are lower than in comparable cities.

"I'm sure there would have to be a slight adjustment," Bearden said.

On Monday, the Tama City Council also reviewed other ways to address the water treatment problem. The city considered hooking up to Poweshiek Rural Water Supply for about $900,000; rebuilding the existing water filter for $900,000; and replacing the water filter for $1.2 million.

Contact Karen Heinselman

at (319) 291-1581 or

karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.