A 100-year decision changed the course of the Water Division in Iowa City, Iowa.The original water treatment plant, built in 1882 and upgraded twice, was nearing the end of its life. In 1990, the city began researching a new water purification facility. Based on population projections, gallons per capita expectations, and growth, the plant’s projected capacity and size kept increasing, as did the cost. The city council charged the utility to look at the effect of proposed rate increases and the potential to reduce non-revenue water, believing it would be possible to downsize the plant through leak prevention and conservation.
