The City of Bagley’s battle with manganese in its water supply may have an end in sight.

City Councilmember Greg Irving says the more than $1 million project with Xenia Rural Water District and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was a hard decision to make for a town Bagley’s size. While the City will save money on not having to build a new water plant or the yearly expense with a water operator, residents  will have clean drinking water for the first time in nearly two years.

“This water project was somewhat of a surprise, but we were somewhat prepared. We were able to get some good grant money. We will have water in the spring, and we can move on to bigger and better things.”

Irving adds manganese is like a black tar and he changes his water filter in his home once per month. While the water situation complicated an already tough 2020 featuring the derecho and coronavirus, Irving says that Bagley was lucky they were one of the first to have this problem because another town down the line may not have the same grant money the City was able to secure.

Additionally, Irving says drinking water donations from local businesses and organizations have depleted. For more information on the water project or to donate water, contact Bagley City Hall.