Jamestown Council Approves $3.6M Water Reuse Project to Boost Efficiency

The Jamestown City Council on Monday, Jan. 5 unanimously approved plans and specifications for the second phase of improvements at the city water treatment plant and authorized staff to advertise for construction bids. The recycle and reuse project follows an earlier phase that replaced lime filter presses and moves the city toward reusing processed water within the plant.

Under the approved plan, two new settling tanks will be constructed south of 17th Street Southeast to channel processed water back into the treatment system. City officials estimate the project cost at $3.6 million, with a construction contingency of about $360,000. Funding will come from a grant through the North Dakota Department of Water Resources and a loan through the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, with the loan already secured or earmarked for the work.

Officials expect construction to begin in 2026 and to be complete by June 2027. By recycling treated water, the plant will use its well permit more efficiently and reduce reliance on evaporation and storage lagoons. For Jamestown residents, those operational improvements could mean enhanced long-term sustainability of local water resources and potential cost containment in treatment operations, as the plant limits the volume of wastewater requiring lagoon storage.

The council also took several other unanimous actions during the meeting. Kevin Gebhardt was appointed to the Jamestown Civil Service Commission for a five-year term expiring in January 2031. The city approved a contract with SRF Consulting Group Inc. for planning and zoning professional services not to exceed $30,000 for 2026. In addition, councilors approved the purchase of a budgeted mini-rolloff truck for the Sanitation Department, based on a quote from Northland Truck Sales through Sourcewell for more than $178,000; delivery is expected in 12 to 18 months.

Taken together, the water reuse project and equipment purchase reflect an early-year push to invest in infrastructure that supports service reliability and regulatory compliance. The reuse project in particular aligns local operations with state funding programs aimed at conserving water resources and improving environmental management. As the city moves to solicit bids, residents and local businesses can expect further updates on contractor selection, construction staging and any short-term service impacts during the 2026 work period.