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Patience pays off. Foreman is getting a new water tower!
Foreman's new water tower during construction.With the base set, the main stack for the new water tower is carefully hoisted into place.More than a decade after officially voting to replace it's old, dilapidated water tower, Foreman residents will soon be drinking from a brand new tank. After evaluating it for upgrades and maintenance over 11 years ago, the city council then determined the old water tower would be less costly to replace than renovate. Since that time, the tower has stood largely unchanged receiving only essential maintenance to ensure safety and water quality. However, the exterior could not be painted because it was coated in older, lead-based paint which, according to State and Federal regulations, would have entailed an enormous cost to strip and dispose of properly. So, the old tank stood in disrepair as the city worked to save money and secure funding for a new one.

But no more! Now, as a result of a US Department of Agriculture Rural Development combination loan/grant, the city's long awaited new water tower is closer to becoming a reality. The total project, which also includes renovating ground storage facilities, is being overseen by Spears Engineering and is estimated to cost in excess of $800,000. Workers assembling a section of the new water tower.Workers assemble another section on their way to the top.USDA monies for the project include a grant in the amount of $160,000 and a $659,000 loan.

A pre-construction meeting is tentatively scheduled for the first week of December to finalize contracts. Low bid for the new tower goes to Caldwell Tanks of Louisville, KY for $569,000, and low bid for ground storage facilities work will be awarded to Cossatot Builders of DeQueen, AR for $139,986. Additional funds are earmarked as contingency money to cover engineering costs, legal fees and other consequential expenditures.

Phase one of the project, to include erecting the new tank and removal of the old one, is slated to be completed within 180 days of contract signing with phase two, renovation of the ground facilities, beginning shortly thereafter.

The new water tower will be located adjacent to the Oscar Hamilton Elementary School.
 
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