Water Improvement Project

Information on Belle Plaine water

The City of Belle Plaine has prepared this information in a question-and-answer format in an effort to better help residents understand the issues confronting their water system.

When was the city notified of the Nitrate issue?

The city was notified of the latest issue on July 14, 2022 and a mailing was sent on July 15, 2022. Of the three water wells, one of the wells tested at a nitrate level of 11 mg/L. Federal standards for drinking water have set a maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L for safe consumption by infants and pregnant or nursing mothers. The testing by the state will be repeated quarterly as long as levels remain high and flyers will be mailed to notify residents of the issues. These were also sent through 2021 and on Jan. 28 and April 18, 2022.

What are the dangers of nitrates above the maximum contaminant level?

The danger from nitrates is primarily for infants below the age of 6 months. Infants who drink water containing nitrates in excess of the maximum contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. “Blue baby Syndrome” is the condition known as methemoglobinemia and the most obvious symptom is a bluish skin coloring, especially around the eyes and mouth. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. An infant with bluish skin should be taken immediately to a medical facility for treatment. Water, juice, and formula for children under 6 months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.

How often is our water tested?

The wells are tested directly each year by a sample sent to a state lab. Tap water is tested each day for chlorine levels. The water is tested monthly for bacterial issues. The nitrate testing is normally done one time a year, but after it tests above the benchmark level, it is tested quarterly.

Is the water safe for others?

It is safe to bathe or shower in tap water with elevated nitrate levels. It is safe for most older children and adults to consume, but anyone with underlying health issues should consult their own physician for advice on consuming the water with nitrates.

Can you cook with the water?

It is odorless and tasteless and safe for cooking, but should not be boiled excessively as nitrates remain when the water evaporates. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand will not reduce the nitrate level.

Will a reverse osmosis system remove the nitrates?

The CDC reports this at www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/nitrate.html: “Nitrate may be successfully removed from water using treatment processes such as ion exchange, distillation, and reverse osmosis. Contact your local health department for recommended procedures. Heating or boiling your water will not remove nitrate. Because some of the water will evaporate during the boiling process, the nitrate levels of water can actually increase slightly in concentration if the water is boiled. Mechanical filters or chemical disinfection, such as chlorination, DO NOT remove nitrate from water.”

Carbon filters do not remove nitrates.

Does the city provide safe water for those in danger?

Yes, bottled water and gallon jugs of water from a company that has tested its products for safety is available at City Hall, 401 N. Merchant, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 to 11 a.m. on Friday. Residents with infants and pregnant and nursing mothers can pick up the water during normal hours. Residents with a letter from a doctor stating that their health is at risk from the high nitrate levels can also have the bottled/jugs of water with presentation of that letter.

Does Belle Plaine have a history of nitrates in the water?

Until 2019 the nitrate levels tested below the maximum. The problem, though, is prevalent among other cities in south central Kansas, and the use of commercial fertilizers is primarily taking the blame for the problem. Testing in 2019 was high after heavy rains, but dropped to normal percentages after a few months. The City took advice from Kansas Rural Water Association consultants and slowed the rate of pumping, along with changes in the depth of pumping to help find cleaner water.

Are all three water wells above the maximum contaminant level?

Two of our three wells have been consistently above the nitrate benchmark level. Those levels were unique to each well and not all of the wells have been high during each test. The water is not totally mixed from the three wells before it goes to the public for use. Some of the water is pumped directly into the distribution system and some goes to the tower. As the City studies the improvements needed for the system, a plan to mix the water before it is distributed is part of the overall solution for lowering the contaminant level. Shutting off the wells under nitrate warnings is not believed to be a viable solution, as the wells are close together in location and the change could easily pull the contaminants to the other well areas. Variable frequency drives were installed on the water pumps several years ago, which has helped reduce the level of contaminants. However, the pumps cannot be slowed more than their current operational level. The small water tower serving the city must be filled at a minimum of three times a day, on average, so the pumps must work fast enough to serve the tower.

Is the City Council looking for a better solution?

In March 2020, the City Council hired Wilson & Company, an engineering firm, to conduct a Preliminary Engineering Report on the water system. That report has been sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for final review.

Under the guidance of the engineers, the City Council is looking at:

• ·         Demolition of two well houses, replacing the current pumps with new pumps at all three wells and adding supply piping from each well to a centralized location. Estimated cost is $1.5 - $1.8 million.

• ·         Replace the entire water distribution system with new piping, isolation valves and fire hydrants. Estimated cost is $6.0 - $7.0 million.

• ·         Create a blending/common chlorination point; demo the existing water storage tower, and add a new 300,000-gallon water storage tower.  Estimated cost is $1.5 - $1.75 million.

• ·         Build a centralized nitrate treatment facility. Estimated cost is $2.5 - $2.8 million.

After initial consultation with state officials in April 2021, it is anticipated that the project will be completed in two phases of construction. The first phase begins with the treatment plant, tower, supply and partial distribution system work. The second phase would complete the remaining distribution system work. Based upon potential funding sources, construction may not begin until early 2023 and may not be completed before July 2025. All plans at this point are subject to change and are not considered final as applications for funding are still pending.

How do we pay for $12 - $13 million in projects?

The state of Kansas, Department of Commerce, and United States Department of Agriculture offer several options in financing and grants for water systems. Those agencies, through the Kansas Interagency Advisory Committee (KIAC), meet with applicants to guide them through the process and address any issues the community is facing in the application process. Belle Plaine has already held an informal pre-KIAC with state officials. Since the actual funding for Belle Plaine has yet to be determined, Wilson and Co. has provided potential costs, based on several different funding scenarios. To pay for those scenarios, Belle Plaine water rates (for 5,000 gallons of water used) could range between $62 and $90. Currently, Belle Plaine residents (in town) pay $40.40 for 5,000 gallons of water.

Are there up-front costs for the city?

Before the city can apply for the grants and loans, the engineering plans for the work must be complete. With all associated costs, the city has borrowed just over $800,000 in advance of the permanent financing. Much of the up-front costs are reimbursable in the final financing, but if the state/federal grants and funding are not acquired, the city would be responsible for the up-front costs.

Where will the tower and treatment plant be placed?

The city has signed a letter of intent to purchase property within a mile of the east city limits. The soil on that property has been tested for geo-technical viability and performed well in that testing for foundation construction.

What is the current status of the project?

The design phase is in final stages. The city has been invited to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding for 2023. At a workshop in September, the CDBG program staff reported that 15 cities and water districts were eligible to apply for a total of $2 million in funding for water and sewer projects. Belle Plaine will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $600,000. Announcements of the grant amounts will be early in 2023.

09/2022