The Associated Press
SIOUX FALLS - The
board of directors for the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
has rejected bids that were submitted two months ago for a water
treatment plant.
The low bid of $142
million was well above engineers' estimate of $108 million to build
the plant near Vermillion.
"You have a $142
million commitment, and you don't have anywhere near that (amount
of money) set aside," said Monte Walz, a lawyer representing the
system.
Executive Director
Troy Larson said he and others feared that by rejecting the bids,
it would only cost the system more money later.
Larson said
officials will decide whether a new, less expensive plant can be
designed and rebid. Officials also are working on alternative
financing plans and hoping the federal government can provide more
money.
The Lewis and Clark
Water System is designed to serve southeast South Dakota, northwest
Iowa and southwest Minnesota with water pumped from wells near the
Missouri River at Vermillion.
