Adel city leaders, city engineers, USDA funders and local boosters gathered Wednesday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the new $19 million Adel water treatment plant.
With rain falling steadily, Adel Mayor Jim Peters welcomed the crowd of about 40 to the covered shelter of the water plant at 308 N. Fifth St. Peters recalled his childhood home near the plant and contrasted it with the recent rapid growth in the city and its public utility infrastructure.
Grant Menke, state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Iowa, said his office has partnered with the city of Adel on $43 million in revolving grants since 2017, which includes not only the new water treatment facility but the east annex sanitary sewer project, a new waste water treatment facility and extensive storm sewer works.
McClure Engineering Project Manager Gary Brons said the new water treatment plant is one element in an overall project that includes two new supply wells north of Adel, a transmission main from the wells to the treatment plant and extensive water main replacements around Adel. Brons said many the new amenities are contributing to the growth in Adel’s quality of life and desirability as a home for young families.
Also attending the groundbreaking event were Adel City Council members Rob Christensen, Shirley McAdon, Bob Ockerman and Dan Miller, Adel City Administrator Anthony Brown, Adel Public Works Director Kip Overton, Adel Water Superintendent Jordon Altenhofen and Adel Water Operator Rockne Foster, McClure Engineering CEO Terry Lutz and McClure Vice President for Water Derick Anderson and Community Programs Director of USDA-RD for Iowa Kate Sand.
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Bengston coupled 14 golden shovels with an equal number of “dig”-nitaries — the pun was Peters’ — for the groundbreaking photo, which was perfectly timed to fall in between rain showers.
