Wrangell Sentinel -

After seven years of planning, the borough has accumulated the funds it needs to upgrade its water treatment plant and is preparing to move forward with the work.

At its Oct. 10 meeting, the assembly approved a $1.961 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fully funding the project. Then, it approved a $19.605 million contract with Sitka-based McG Constructors to perform the upgrades.

The project, which will run over $23 million after factoring in design, inspection and administrative costs, is intended to improve the plant’s water quality and output, readying the community for...