Webster City’s outdoor swimming pool needs a new water filter, according to Recreation & Public Grounds Director Breanne Lesher.

Lesher told the City Council of Webster City on Monday evening that the current filter, installed in 2004, has reached the end of its useful life.

“This is a preventative measure. We’re working ahead of actual need to avoid a malfunction of the filter that would cause us to shut down during the pool season,” City Manager John Harrenstein explained to the council.

Lesher told the council the total lead time for the project could be as long as a full year: six months to order and ship the filter and related installation materials, and six months to obtain approval of the pool’s water filtration system from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licenses.

The plan is to use the present filter for next year’s pool season, and install the new filter in fall, 2026, in time for the 2027 summer pool season.

The new filter has been quoted to cost $283,500 by Carrisco Aquatic Resources, Inc., Jefferson, Wisconsin, which has supplied equipment and water treatment chemicals to the city for a number of years. Lesher had expected a cost of over $300,000. The lower cost may be due to the city ordering through Sourcewell.

Located in Staples, Minnesota, Sourcewell is a co-operative purchasing program originally developed to save money for cities, counties and schools in Minnesota. Today, it has more than 50,000 member organizations, effectively its customers, across the country. The City of Webster City is one of them. Sourcewell uses its volume purchasing power to obtain lower prices for members.

Even though the city has ordered equipment and vehicles through Sourcewell many times over the years, Mayor John Hawkins said “I think this item should be bid out to ensure we’re getting the best price.” Council concurred, so bidding documents will be prepared and bids solicited.

Along with the filter, which is a more efficient design, PVC pipe and plumbing fittings will be part of the order. PVC doesn’t corrode and has a longer service life than cast iron, the material used in the current system.

To pay for the filter, the city will defer other planned purchases, including a mini tractor, upgrades to the Lion’s Park basketball court, building a new section of the Boone River Trail near the wastewater treatment plant, and a $30,000 reduction in the 2026-2027 budget. $100,000 will be moved from the Local Option Sales Tax account, and put toward the cost.

Filters are essential for maintaining the safety and cleanliness of water in swimming pools. Powerful pumps push water through the filters, which remove hair, debris, and other contaminants.

As a final step before water enters the pool, chlorine is added to kill viruses, bacteria or algae. Chlorine also improves the clarity of water.

Successful 2025 Summer Season

The Parks & Recreation department reported a successful summer season in 2025. Here are some highlights:

– the pool was open 80 days between June 2 and August 20

– there were 10,347 total visitors to the pool including daily admissions, pass entries, and those attending Aquacise, Aquatots and swimming classes

– an average of 129 people per day visited the outdoor pool this summer

– 18 lifeguards are employed on two shifts to ensure safety at the pool

– concessions are sold mostly as a convenience for pool goers, but the concession

stand made a small profit of $328.33 for the 2025 season

– the pool’s operating hours were 11:30 a.m.-1 pm for adult lap swim and 1-7pm for open swim

– Next summer’s outdoor pool season will run from June1-August 16, 2026