Winona Drinking Water Improvements

Winona’s drinking water system has served its 1,100 residents for decades with very few capital improvements during that time.  Although routine testing has consistently proved the water system to be safe, its components are well past their design-life.  The distribution system was built from over 26-miles of various sized lines from a variety of materials.  Unfortunately, many of the lines are constructed from antiquated materials and include numerous hydrants and valves that are non-functional.  The system’s four storage towers are in urgent need of basic repairs, paint replacement, and security fencing.  The City’s well houses are also in poor condition and need substantial improvements to bring them up to today’s standards.

Heartland Engineering was selected from a list of engineering firms to represent the City’s needs in designing a replacement distribution system through 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, which will achieve multiple goals.  The first will include the replacement of lines, valves and hydrants in much of the eastern and northern areas of town.  The design resolves several long-standing low-pressure areas and will remove many lines that are suspected of utilizing lead-based materials from the original construction.

The current project sets the stage for the City’s eventual second funding package through either USDA-Rural Development or MoDNR-SRF.  The second funding package is expected to replace those lines outside of the ARPA funding package, as well as making improvements to the system’s wells and tanks for a system-wide secure design.