Winona Drinking Water Improvements

Drinking Water Treatment, Storage, and Distribution Improvements for the City of Winona

Winona’s drinking water system served its approximately 1,100 residents for decades without the benefit of any large capital improvements projects.  Although routine testing consistently showed the water system to be safe, many components had long exceeded their intended design life.  The distribution system included approximately 26-miles of various sized lines that were composed of a wide variety of materials.  Some of the existing pipe materials, such as galvanized and cast iron, are no longer recommended in water systems due to corrosion and health risks.  The majority of the existing water hydrants and valves were non-functional.  The four storage tanks were found to be in urgent need of basic repairs as well as needing to be repainted and the addition of security fencing.  The city’s well houses are also found to be in poor condition and in need of substantial improvements to bring them up to modern standards.

Heartland Engineering was selected to represent the city’s needs and design a replacement distribution system using funds provided through a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  Our firm was able to secure a $5,000,000 grant to replace a significant portion of the city’s distribution system.  The Phase I project funded by ARPA will resulted in the replacement of lines, valves and hydrants in much of the eastern and northern areas of town.  The engineering design included the establishment of pressure zones to resolve many long standing issues with insufficient water pressure. Any lines suspected of containing lead-based materials were also replaced during this phase. Construction of Phase I was completed in April 2026.

Heartland then worked with the City of Winona to obtain funding for the Phase II Project with funds being provided this time by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources State Revolving Fund (SRF).  The design for the Phase II project picks up where Phase I left off — replacing distribution lines in the southern portions of the city, a new water booster station, rehabilitation of the four water storage tanks, a complete rebuild of two well houses, and maintenance and repairs to the remaining two well houses. The engineering design for Phase II Drinking Water Improvements will be completed in the summer of 2026, followed by MoDNR permitting and then the commencement of construction activities later in the year.