BOONE, Iowa—A number of residents had concerns about discolored water late last week. On the KWBG Tuned In program last Wednesday, Administrator Ondrea Elmquist said the issue was the result of the City’s Ground Water Reservoir project which was recently completed and was being refilled. The City followed up with a press release:
The City of Boone, in partnership with US Water and SEH Engineering, continues to make significant investments in the community’s water infrastructure through the rehabilitation of the 2-million-gallon Ground Water Storage Reservoir at the Boone Water Treatment Plant. Originally constructed in the 1950s, this important facility has served Boone for generations, and this rehabilitation project will help extend its service life, improve long-term reliability, and protect the City’s investment for decades to come.
Since construction began in February 2026, crews have completed extensive improvements to the reservoir, including repairs to structural steel beams, restoration of portions of the concrete roof and walls, and rehabilitation of floor surfaces surrounding support columns and inlet and outlet piping. These improvements strengthen the facility and help ensure the continued reliability of Boone’s drinking water system.
Throughout construction, the City and its operating partner, US Water, have continued providing safe, reliable drinking water to the community. Water treatment operations, daily monitoring, and water quality have remained in full compliance with all requirements established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Because the reservoir was temporarily removed from service while rehabilitation work was completed, the City’s water distribution system has been operating differently than normal. During this period, water storage and pumping patterns were adjusted to maintain uninterrupted service to customers. These temporary operational changes may have resulted in minor variations in water color, taste, or odor in some areas of the community.
The interior rehabilitation phase is now complete, and the reservoir is currently being returned to service. As the system resumes normal operation, water quality characteristics and appearance are expected to quickly return to their typical condition.
Nitrate Monitoring
Protecting public health remains the City’s highest priority. US Water performs certified laboratory nitrate testing every day at the Boone Water Treatment Plant to ensure continued compliance with drinking water standards.
During the past month, nitrate concentrations ranged from 8.1 to 8.6 milligrams per liter (mg/L), remaining safely below the federal drinking water standard of 10 mg/L.
To promote transparency, daily nitrate results are included in the monthly operational reports prepared by US Water. These reports are available through the City website as part of the Utility Committee agenda materials, and residents may subscribe to receive these reports by email.
Returning the Reservoir to Service
On June 23, 2026, US Water began refilling the newly rehabilitated reservoir, marking another important milestone in the project. Returning a storage reservoir of this size to service requires moving a substantial volume of water through the distribution system while continuing to meet normal community demand.
As fresh water circulates through portions of the water system, some residents may temporarily notice water discoloration. This is a normal and expected part of returning major water infrastructure to service and results from naturally occurring mineral sediment being stirred within water mains.
To help restore the system to normal operating conditions as efficiently as possible, Boone Public Works will begin scheduled hydrant flushing next week. Hydrant flushing is a routine maintenance practice that removes accumulated sediment from water mains and improves overall water quality throughout the distribution system.
Residents who experience temporary discoloration are encouraged to run cold water for a few minutes, which typically clears the water quickly.
The City appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as these important improvements are completed. Investments like this rehabilitation project help ensure Boone’s water system remains safe, reliable, and well-positioned to serve the community for many years to come.
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