If you have driven between Montrose and Appleton City over the past few weeks you might have noticed the skyline is changing. Harry S. Truman Water District #2 is in the middle of a construction project which includes the building of a 600,000 gallon water tower which will replace a 38 year old water storage tank. The new tower is being constructed on land which was donated to the water district by the Dugan Family, in honor of Wilfred Dugan, who was one of the original founders of the water district and served as Chairman of the Board for many years.
The district has been working towards the improvement of the water distribution of the system for many years with the engineering firm, Lamp Rynerson. The engineering firm has estimated the newly designed tower and upgrades will not only enhance the water supply to all areas of the district but will also help with water quality and aid with water pressure to various areas of the district.
Financing for this large project has been approved and made available from the Department of Natural Resoures thru the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The project is expected to cost the district approximately $2.5 million. The 20-year loan terms along with ARPA funding provided from the St. Clair County Commission has so far made the project affordable to the district with no additional fee charges to its customers. Even with increasing cost, the water district board and employees have worked very hard to keep water charges at the same levels since the district was first established in 1986.
Harry S. Truman Water District #2 includes areas of southern Henry and Northern St. Clair Counties. The district provides water not only to the area rural population but to the communities of Appleton City, Montrose, Deepwater and Rockville. Adjoining districts in eastern Bates County and north central Henry County also use water provided from the district. The water supply for the district is pumped from two wells at an underground rock quarry which is recharged by Truman Lake. This intake area, along with the treatment plant, is located near the Sparrowfoot Public Use Area just south of Clinton.