The Richland Center Water Utility has been providing reliable water service to the community since 1880. The county seat of Richland County, this southwestern Wisconsin city of approximately 5,200 is now serviced by three operating wells, three reservoirs, a booster station and 37 miles of water mains and piping.

The most significant commercial and industrial growth in the City had been along the highway corridor on the southeast side of the community. Smart growth planning models indicated growth was expected to continue along the corridor where water service was provided by a long, single water main and a well.  Wide pressure swings became a source of frustration for commercial business and stifled additional growth.

Richland Center Utility Commission leaders also began to recognize that industrial growth demand resulted in an average daily pumpage for the municipal water system that was often greater than their existing 1.0 MGD storage capacity. They knew it was time to invest in an additional reservoir in order to increase capacity and stabilize water pressure on the southeast side of the city. MSA partnered with City Utilities on the design and construction of the new 500,000-gallon water storage reservoir to service this underserved location.

MSA provided assistance with system modeling, siting analysis, land acquisition, final design, bidding and construction-related engineering services for the project. The scope of the water storage reservoir project consisted of a 500,000-gallon, wire-wound, pre-stressed concrete ground storage tank, 1,200 linear feet of new access road to the facility, site grading, 3,000 feet of connecting transmission main, 1,100 feet of reservoir overflow pipe, site and security fencing, telemetry and SCADA system upgrades.

The reservoir site was in a highly visible location when entering the City from the southeast; therefore, MSA provided 3D modeling of the new reservoir to illustrate to project stakeholders tank design and aesthetic options. In addition, the MSA funding team helped the utility obtain and administer a $2.5 million DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan for the project.

The City broke ground on the project on July 10, 2019, and celebrated start-up with a ribbon-cutting ceremony just over one year later on August 24, 2020.