Bloomington needs to move a pair of water mains and replace filters at the water treatment plant. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen will vote Monday night of approving a pair of water projects.

One project involves the relocation of a pair of water transmission mains, which are located in Normal at the Main Street bridge. Assistant city manager Steve Rasmussen said the project will cost about $326,000.

"The state is replacing a bridge there on Main Street, just north of the city limits, and in order for them to replace that bridge and dig the foundation for the bridge, our water main is sitting there," said Rasmussen. "We have to move the water main."

Rasmussen explained the mains will not be moved far – about 50 feet.

"It's not like they're moving hundreds of yards away," he said.

The full project is expected to be done in April or May.

The city council will also vote on the replacement of out-dated filters at the city's water treatment plant. Rasmussen said the current filters are old and made of clay. They need to be replaced before even one begins to fail.

"You run the risk of, when one starts failing you never know how many might fail," said Rasmussen. "We don't want to be in a situation where we have so many filters fail that we have to shut down part of the plant."

Rasmussen said the new filters will be more modern and made of plastic. The total project will cost about $370,000 and should also be completed in April or May.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].