Wellman has been awarded half a million dollars to improve their wastewater treatment plant. It was announced yesterday that the Iowa Economic Development Authority has granted the city a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to update an outdated portion of the system. The project is expected to improve safety, efficiency and water quality.

Wellman City Administrator Nick Pacha says the city will contribute $273,000 to the project, which will be paid for through user fee increases. The projects impact on rates may be offset by funds recently made available through their debt refinancing.

Pacha adds he’ll be attending a meeting in Ames next week where he’ll find out when the grant will be made available.