Bloomington Council reviews water quality improvements

Image courtesy of the City of Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council met Monday night to address water quality updates, the city’s annual financial audit and several contract approvals.

The council received an extensive update on local water quality and approved four ordinances and resolutions aimed at improving water quality in Bloomington.

Water Department staff member Brett Lucian reported that taste and odor-causing compounds remain well below thresholds noticeable to residents.

“That magic number where people started tasting the compounds is around 10 for MIB,” Lucian said.

Lucian added that recent algaecide treatments at Evergreen Lake were expected to improve readings further.

“We did treat Evergreen Lake on October 30 and 31 with the algaecide,” Lucian said. “Normally, that takes about seven to 10 days for us to actually see results back from what that treatment did.”

Purification Superintendent Scott Joyce said lake levels were slightly lower than last year but within the normal range.

“The plan is to keep using Lake Bloomington, and like last year, Lake Bloomington has a lot better numbers as far as the taste and odor compounds,” Joyce said.

Ward 2 Council Member Michael Mosley asked whether the city was exploring alternative long-term water sources.

Lucian responded that staff were working explore other options.

“Yes, long term, obviously there is other options out there,” Lucian said. “We are looking at those, and we are going to be looking at getting some consultants on board help look at that next future state of trying to provide good, adequate water for our citizens.”

Ward 3 Council Member Sheila Montney asked how the public should interpret the data.

“As folks who aren’t experts in water management here, what could we take away, or should we take away from your observations over those few readings that you’ve shared?” Montney said.

Joyce responded that residents should feel confident in the city’s water quality.

“We are on the right track,” Joyce said. “The PAC [powdered activated carbon system] is really doing a really good job.”

All water-related resolutions and budget amendments were passed unanimously.

During the city’s consent agenda, Ward 7 Council Member Sheila Montney requested to pull Item P, which requests approval for the creation of a Class RAPS [restaurant, all types of alcohol, package and Sunday sales] liquor license.

The request was ultimately passed with two nays from Montney and Ward 8 Council Member Kent Lee.

The meeting also consisted of a presentation on the city’s financial picture for fiscal year 25 by Baker Tilly Virchow.

Bloomington City Council meets every second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.