The Bloomington City Council learned at its meeting on Monday that a seasonal shift has been made in the water source for the city.
While the city normally draws from Bloomington and Evergreen lakes, a swap has been made to Lake Bloomington — but only for the time being. This is due to higher levels of chemicals in Evergreen Lake that, while not hazardous to health, produce more taste and odor complaints from residents, water director Ed Andrews told council members at their committee-of-the whole meeting held at the Government Center.
In his report, Andrews said the department’s biggest focus now is the water tower project on West Hamilton Road, part of a wider system overhaul. Ground was broken at the site near the end of June.
The city also is implementing an app that improves aggregate pressure testing data for Bloomington’s fire hydrants. The app will phase out a more cumbersome and relatively unused filing system. The accessible data will aid in color coding the city’s more than 4,400 hydrants, giving firefighters instant information in an emergency.
Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe praised the progress of the department that typically only gets attention when something goes wrong, he said.
“Having been in other parts of the world where I see it’s not taken as seriously as it should, I definitely appreciate how it is here in our community. It’s fantastic,” Mwilambwe said.
Summer events
Also Monday, the council heard a presentation on the city's summer entertainment season.
Highlighted events included comedian Pete Davidson’s performance at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, the sold-out “Brews at the Zoo” at Miller Park Zoo, and well-attended farmer’s markets downtown with expanded vendors.
In total, downtown Bloominton saw 96 events over the summer, drawing about 71,000 visitors, council members learned.
There also were several reopenings of renovated attractions this summer. O’Neil Aquatics Center reopened in late May and saw 22,000 admissions by the end of July. And, the newly-expanded Bloomington Library recently returned to full service, to the praise of council members.
