Drivers on 20th St. SE in Sioux Center have probably noticed a lot of heavy equipment and digging activity the last few weeks. In order to accommodate that area as it continues to grow, the city is installing nearly a mile of new water and sewer mains.
In total, this project involves installing 4,396 feet of 8-inch water main and 4,062 feet of 8-inch sewer force main along the north side of 20th St SE.
This project has been in the works since 2021, when the Sioux Center water and wastewater departments identified areas of each system that need upgrades.
Assistant Utilities Manager Adam Fedders said, “We identified multiple areas, but one of the areas we are currently targeting is this 20th St SE corridor because it is a vital piece to ensure future growth of the water and wastewater systems.”
The new water main is creating a loop for the water distribution system, which increases reliability and improves service. Long-term, this new water main will also provide the needed piping for the anticipated addition of a third water tower at some point in the future.
The new sewer force main will replace an aging force main along 16th St. SE & 14th St. SE that is starting to deteriorate. A force main is a pressurized pipe that is used to move wastewater when it doesn’t flow by gravity.
During Phase 1 of the Highway 75 construction project, in coordination with other underground and utility work, the City was able to install a portion of the water main and force main to serve the 20th St. SE improvements.
