Norwalk city officials say nearly $11 million in newly approved water revenue bonds is aimed at meeting both daily demand and long-term growth needs without overextending the system.

The city council recently approved two bond issuances totaling just under $11 million to fund key water infrastructure projects. The funding will support the city’s water tower, which handles day-to-day water storage, along with securing additional long-term water capacity through Central Iowa Water Works. Norwalk City Manager Luke Nelson tells KNIA News the two investments serve different but complementary purposes.

“The water tower handles our day-to-day water storage. You fill water towers at night, pump it out during the day, and over the next night it fills back up…The more long-term capacity of actually physically drilling wells into the ground, pulling water out of the ground, treating it, and sending it to our community, that is the role of Central Iowa Water Works. So, the other portion of that 11 million is going to pay Central Iowa Water Works for additional capacity of water reserved for Norwalk.”

Nelson notes that securing capacity now helps the city avoid future shortages while continuing Norwalk’s steady growth pattern. City leaders say the bonds are structured to support infrastructure needs without creating an immediate impact on residents’ utility rates and are part of a longer-range strategy to plan responsibly as the community expands.

The full interview with Norwalk City Manager Luke Nelson can be heard below: