The City of Keota is alerting residents to a significant water system challenge that could cost as much as $5 million to address, according to a social media post from Mayor Ryan Carr and the Keota City Council.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has required the city to address chloride levels associated with its wastewater discharge. Chloride is difficult to remove once it enters the wastewater system, and the city’s current municipal water softener is a significant contributing source — using approximately 8,000 pounds of salt every month. Residential water softeners throughout the city also contribute, as the salt used to regenerate those systems eventually makes its way into the wastewater system.
The city is currently working with engineers to evaluate several options, including constructing a new water treatment system, continuing to operate its own municipal water system with necessary improvements, or converting Keota to a rural water system. Preliminary discussions indicate the total cost of addressing the water system could be as much as $5 million, though the city stressed that figure is an early estimate and not a final project cost. Construction would more than likely begin sometime in the 2027 to 2028 timeframe if a path forward is chosen, giving the city time to carefully study its options and have meaningful conversations with residents before any work begins.
No decision has been made on how the project would be funded. Potential sources could include some combination of water rates, property taxes, grants, low-interest financing, and other available funding. The city said any option will need to be carefully evaluated to understand the impact on residents, families, seniors, farmers, businesses, and property owners.
The city said many questions remain unanswered, including what the final project cost will be, whether Keota should continue operating its own water treatment system or connect to rural water, what would happen to existing wells and infrastructure, how salt entering the wastewater system can be reduced, what grants and financing may be available, and what the impact would be on both property taxes and monthly water bills.
Mayor Carr and the City Council said they are sharing the information now because residents deserve to know what the city is facing before decisions are made — not after. As engineering studies and cost estimates become more complete, the city intends to share that information publicly and provide opportunities for citizens to ask questions and be part of the conversation. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
