The Washington City Council met in the Washington Public Library Wednesday evening. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

A $4,943,000 construction contract has been awarded for the waste water treatment plant improvement project in Washington.

The City Council approved the contract with Tricon General Construction, Inc., out of Cedar Rapids at their meeting Wednesday evening. The estimated cost on the project had been $5.4 million. Mayor Sandra Johnson spoke of coming in under budget, “Half a million under a design estimate is a phenomenal savings for the citizens of Washington. What we don’t have to borrow we don’t have to pay back over 20 years, and including water rates, so we’re really happy.”

Five contractors bid on the project, with the highest being nearly $1 million more than the contract that was selected. Work will include reverse osmosis systems, renovation of the existing 1992 treatment building, a building addition, new high service pumps, electrical and controls systems, mechanical systems, and demolition of the 1924 treatment building.

While there were smiles upon hearing of the savings on this project, new concerns about Well #6 were brought to light. The well is being re-cased and its capacity has decreased from 600 gallons per minute to 300 gallons per minute. The council will consider solutions at their next meeting.