SIRWA holds annual meeting

Southern Iowa Rural Water Association officials informed its members in attendance Wednesday of the entity’s status and future plans during its annual meeting held at the Supertel Inn in Creston.

The rural water provider had sight growth in 2022 from 2021. It had provided 1.34 billion gallons of water in 2022, up from 1.30 the year prior. Southern Iowa Rural Water, with a service area about 90 miles by 90 miles has 11,600 total water customers.

Southern Iowa Rural Water is working on projects at various stages. In fall 2021, work began on its own water treatment plant east of Creston. Co-manager Jeff Rice said the plant itself is on schedule to be complete by early next year. A 1 million gallon water tower, as part of the treatment plant project, has been erected east of Creston. Rice said painting of the tower has begun but the tower will not be put to use until the water plant is ready.

Southern Iowa Rural Water is also involved in the development of a reservoir in Clarke County but forecast construction costs are significantly more than budgeted. The land for the 730 acre lake has been acquired.

Negotiations are still ongoing between SIRWA and Creston Waterworks which is making its improvements at 12 Mile Lake but is effecting construction of Southern Iowa Rural Water’s treatment plant. Creston Waterworks General Manager Steve Guthrie said earlier this month the work is expected to last until early August.

Creston Waterworks approved a $2.97 million bid to replace the 40-year-old infrastructure. The work started in early 2022 with a completion date by the end of 2022, but supply-chain issues since with various construction material companies have slowed the work.

Southern Iowa Rural Water Managers Brenda Standley and Rice said their construction companies have not provided dates for when Creston Water must have its work complete, but SIRWA may have additional construction-related penalties to pay if dates are not met.

Creston Waterworks and SIRWA are still in negotiations over a mutual aid agreement after SIRWA opens its own plant Southern Iowa Rural Water is interested in having raw water, water that has not been prepared for use and consumption, in the agreement under certain emergency situations. Creston Waterworks only wants to negotiate treated water.

In other annual meeting news...

The audience was informed how SIRWA has started applying tax to its water customers. The entities’ legal counsel said SIRWA did not want the liability with tax-exemption status to be compromised. Customers who do pay tax are encouraged to meet with their tax preparer for more information. SIRWA is also billing the owner of property for services that is rented, rather than the tenant. Like with other utilities, SIRWA risks of having tenants not paying, leaving the property without notice and not able to receive payment.

Three board member seats were approved to be held by the incumbents. Terms expired for Tony Mullen, representing Adams and Montgomery counties; Anne Welker, Clarke, Warren and Lucas counties and Joan Jackson in Ringgold County. All three were re-elected with no contestants and for three-year terms. Other board members are Marlin Marckmann, Adair, Cass, Madison counties; Larry Griffin, Decatur and John Walston, Taylor and Page counties and John Malmanger, Union County.