The Highland School Board is looking to put their wastewater treatment plant project out for bid again after their first set of bids exceeded their cost estimate. 

Since late 2018, the district has been working on their wastewater system to help meet the Iowa Department of Natural Resources limits for ammonia and E. coli. The board initially budgeted $800,000 to install a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor lagoon system in 2020, The school board rejected awarding last spring after bids came in around $1.2 million. Superintendent Ken Crawford says the board felt it was too high and decided to hold off until construction costs would lower. The board extended their engineering contract with HR Green during their December 13th meeting, and they are now looking to rebid the work in February with the project to be completed next summer. Matt Wildman with HR Green shared that material prices have stabilized and this would be a good time to rebid. Crawford says that the DNR has extended the deadline for completion to 2027, however, the board feels it’s important to finish the project as soon as possible.