Today is a milestone for our community — the remodeled Village of Downs Water Plant is officially up and running! For the first time, all of our homes are receiving water that is crystal clear, cleaner than ever, and already partially softened.
Over the past week, we’ve been slowly introducing water from the new system while running tests behind the scenes. Last night, the plant passed its final test — operating automatically and without any alarms. That means August 22, 2025 is officially the day we can say: the new plant is fully online!
Water Quality Improvements
• The new system produces water that is clear, with nearly zero iron and organics, and is currently 60% softened.
• The Public Works team is actively flushing lines to remove residual sediment. While occasional discoloration (brown water) may still occur as sediment loosens, the issue should resolve much faster than before. If you experience discolored water or do not have clear water today, please contact Village Hall so our team can address it promptly.
What’s Next?
1. Increased Softening: Over the next month, water softening levels will gradually increase to 75–80%. At this point, most households no longer need water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or bottled water. You may still use them if you prefer but bypassing them is now recommended.
Please note that excessive softening can cause long-term issues in plumbing, which is why the transition is gradual.
2. Decommissioning Old Plant: The old water plant will be retired once we’ve had a couple of weeks of smooth operation with the new system.
This achievement represents years of planning, investment, and hard work by our dedicated staff and elected officials. We are thrilled to provide residents with the high-quality water our community deserves.
We hope you’re just as excited as we are. It’s pretty amazing to turn on the tap and see clear, clean water filling up a sink or bathtub — and now, that’s the new normal for Downs!
— Mayor James and Trustee Twyford  | 
