Quincy takes next step toward water, sewer upgrades
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May 13—QUINCY — Design work is beginning on a project to upgrade sewer systems in the city of Quincy. The city's water system will be getting some upgrades, too, among them a new water tower.
Quincy City Council members approved a contract for about $356,300 with HDR Engineering to prepare a preliminary design for upgrades to the sewer system. Council members also approved a $365,000 contract with Gray & Osborne, the city's engineers, for preliminary design work on the new water tower.
The HDR Engineering contract requires the sewer system project to be completed by Sept. 30. The water tower preliminary design must be completed by Aug. 30.
The current sewer system project will focus on one section of the wastewater facility. The engineers will be asked to determine if the city could rebuild the existing system or if it should get a new one, and figure out ways to keep the system operating while the work is done. The engineers will provide a list of materials and a preliminary design and construction schedule. Engineers also will provide a preliminary cost estimate.
Tentatively the new water tower would be built next to existing city facilities on D Street Northwest, but other locations could be considered, according to the GRay and Osborne contract. It would hold about 5.4 million gallons.
The preliminary design contract is being paid for with funds the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act, approved by Congress in 2021. A construction cost estimate will be part of the project. The city is looking for funding to pay for construction.
"We would hope to start construction in early 2025," Water Program Manager Bob Davis wrote in answer to an email from the Herald.
Additional water storage on the north side of town is one of the needs identified in the city's updated water system plan. It's needed for both water pressure and fire flows, according to the contract.
The engineers will be tasked with site analysis, including environmental and geotechnical reviews, a recommendation on the best location, a preliminary cost estimate, a schedule for final design and construction. The project also will require analysis of the geologic stability of the site.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
