Residents of a Guthrie County town can once again consume tap water.

The City of Bagley completed a $1.2 million project with Xenia Rural Water District and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to provide water services for the town of 300. City Clerk Pat Augustus tells Raccoon Valley Radio they had to install a main lift station where water from Xenia is pumped through to the city’s water tower.

In March of 2019, the City had to stop getting water from its well system, due to elevated levels of manganese, according to the U.S. Environmental Protect Agency allowable manganese levels. Residents have had to find alternative water sources and use bottled water since then for drinking and cooking. Augustus says they will seal off their wells, as the new water services from Xenia started this past Saturday.

Augustus thanks all those who donated bottled water and helped out the city through the transition. She adds, the City received a Community Development Block Grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which helped to offset the cost of installing the new water system. The main water line runs along Highway 141 into the City. Anyone with questions can contact City Hall at 641-427-5600.