Water treatment pumps up and running again

The pumping equipment at the new water treatment plant that was damaged by an early morning fire on Friday was back in operation later that day, Jesse Dutcher said, McCook Utility Director.

Duplicate pumps that had been ordered as spares were used to replace the damaged equipment, he said, and new pumps have been reordered as backups.

The temporary building which house the pumps has been rebuilt, he said, with the electrical work replaced as well.

Dutcher credited the efforts of contractor Paulsen Inc. of Cozad with the rapid replacement time.

"They put forth a fantastic effort," he said.

The fire caused $15,000 worth of damage to pumps that are used to transfer the waste from the treatment plant to the sewer facility.