When the City of Ames (Iowa) and its engineering partner were designing a new lime softening water plant, there was no doubt it would be a major step-up in sustainability.
The old plant, operating since 1924, had been expanded many times to increase its capacity from 2 to 12 mgd. The new plant would have 15 mgd capacity and would include more efficient lighting and indoor temperature controls, better water efficiency, better training facilities, better on-site stormwater management and more.
Just before the start of design in 2012, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources made grant money available if the plant
