While the City of New Hampton continues to save money to build a new water treatment plant, repairs to the current plant show the need for a replacement.

While the facility’s main pump was being fixed, the emergency pump then failed, but has also been repaired.

That’s Mayor Bobby Schwickerath, who says the pump issues illustrate the need for a new plant.

The New Hampton City Council Monday night approved the repairs of the emergency pump for just under $19,000, a savings of about $14,000 if the City had purchased a rebuilt pump for $33,000. However, Schwickerath says they received the same warranty for either pump.

The Iowa DNR says New Hampton needs to have a new water treatment plant by 2036.