Wrangell Sentinel -

The borough needs to fill a funding gap of almost $10 million before it can upgrade its water treatment plant. The new design would increase the plant’s water output and storage capacity to accommodate future growth.

The low bid for construction came in at $19.6 million, but borough officials estimate that the total cost will be closer to $24.2 million — a figure that factors in engineering and inspection costs.

The borough has $14.3 million available for the project, mostly state and federal money. On Aug. 31, the borough submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (...