Fort Madison, IA – Fort Madison's new water treatment plant can produce 5,000,000 gallons of potable water every day. The facility utilizes a reverse-osmosis treatment system.
Fort Madison showed off its new plant during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.
The dignitaries at the event included Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), State Senator Gene Fraise (D-Fort Madison), and State Representative Jerry Kearns (D-Keokuk).
Mayor Steve Ireland says the plant's can be expanded to produce 8,000,000 gallons/day. He says that makes the facility crucial to Fort Madison's future success.
"Any water need that an industry, company, or business may need in the Fort Madison area, in the future, they will be able to have that," says Ireland. "We will be able to say, Yes, we can provide that for you.'"
Ireland says Fort Madison's new water treatment plant is currently serving the western half of the city. He says the old facility is serving the rest of Fort Madison.
Ireland says the new water plant will reach full capacity once a larger water line is connected to the center of the city. He hopes that can take place before the end of the year.
The old water plant is located near the Iowa State Penitentiary. It utilized water from the Mississippi River.
The new plant was built along Highway 61, near Montrose. It brings in water from a series of deep wells.
Ireland says the new plant is also out of the flood plain, something that could not be said for the old plant.