Burr Oak wastewater treatment plant is "an ambitious project for a small town"

Winneshiek County supervisors have voted unanimously to proceed to get bids on the construction of a wastewater treatment facility in Burr Oak.

Erdman Engineering representative John Hjelle says the project calls for using a large drain field to handle treated water.  Discharge from current wastewater facilities in Burr Oak had been judged to not be meeting ammonia standards in a nearby trout stream.  The new system will discharge water below the stream after the water goes through additional screening in the drain field.

Hjelle says bids on the project will be opened July 2nd, with construction starting in the late summer or fall.  The project is being funded entirely through the USDA Rural Development Program, with loans and grants.  Hjelle told county supervisors Tuesday that Burr Oak officials have come up with a good design: "It's an ambitious project for a small town."  County supervisor Mark Kuhn said simply, "They've done a good job."