A long-planned DeKalb Utility District (DUD) water treatment plant is one step closer to fruition. While lengthy legal battles and opposition from the City of Smithville, who fear the loss of its biggest water customer, the (DUD) appears to be on track to begin construction on their own two million gallon a day facility.

During its regular monthly meeting Thursday, the DUD board of commissioners awarded contracts to the three companies who placed the lowest bids on three segments of the plant.

The approved bids total $12,958,390, more than $950,000 above the projected cost, but DUD Manager Jon Foutch told the Review that while $12 million is already available, he feels that funds can be easily procured to complete the project.

"We have several options in front of us to make that difference up," Foutch said. "We just want to have the least impact on our customers that we can possibly have, and keep their water rates stable."

W&O Construction Company, Inc. of Livingston placed the low bid to build the treatment plant. The company's base bid was $7,015,000. DUD awarded the contract to W&O for an adjusted amount of $6,993,000. The adjusted amount includes a deduction of $22,000 under the section for pre-engineered structure.

Judy Construction Company of Cynthiana, Kentucky was awarded the contract to construct the raw water intake for the plant after submitting the lowest of five bids on the project. The company’s base bid was $4,189,000. DUD approved the bid for the adjusted amount of $4,149,500, with a deduction of $1,500 in the section for valves and hydrants, $8,000 in the section regarding a raw water screen and accessories, and $30,000 in the section for vertical turbine pumps.

Hawkins and Price, LLC of Wartrace, Tennessee will build the 18-inch raw and finished water transmission lines for $1,815,890, the lowest of eight bids on the project.

All contracts are subject to approval of the State Revolving Fund Loan, Rural Development/USDA, Appalachian Regional Council, and the availability of funds.

Though a date has not been set to break ground, the contracts call for work on the plant to be completed within eighteen months of the day construction begins. The intake must be done within fifteen months, and the water lines must be placed within 12 months.

Two Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans totaling $5,250,000 have already been secured to fund this project. One of the loans is for the amount of $2,500,000, $2,000,000 as a loan and $500,000 in principle forgiveness, which will not have to be repaid. The other loan is for the amount of $2,750,000.

A Rural Utilities Service loan for $5,000,000, a Rural Utilities Service grant for $1,250,000, and an Appalachian Regional Commission grant for $500,000 have also been procured.