Keokuk, IA – The current capacity of the Lee County Jail is roughly 60 inmates. That figure will change later this year.
The county is spending roughly $6-million to expand and renovate the facility. The result will be an initial capacity of around 100 beds, expandable to nearly 150.
The current sewer system was not addressed in the renovation/expansion project.
Supervisor Larry Kruse says the county was initially told the current system could handle the increased load. He says that message has since changed.
Engineer Jim Warner told the supervisors that the sand and gravel in the jail's two sand filters need to be replaced. He says the current material is causing standing water to form near the jail.
Warner says additional pumps, filters, septic tanks, and piping is also needed to upgrade and expand the system. He says the work requires a permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors has authorized the pursuit of the permit. Warner says it could be two months before the permit comes through.
The project is expected to cost about $75,000. Warner says it would take about 60 days to complete.