EPHRATA — As 2025 draws to a close, the city of Ephrata reflects on a year marked by investments and improvements in its water infrastructure, park facilities, buying a new facility and branding initiatives. The city added a new water tower, upgraded its water reclamation facility, installed new park bathrooms, began replacing the playground equipment at Lions Park and formed its first brand.  

“It was a good year,” Mayor Bruce Reim said. “We got to see a lot of the things we have been working on for years come to light.”  

Mayor-elect Steve Oliver expressed a similar sentiment.  

“There is a good foundation in place, a lot of things getting done,” he said. “I am excited to see how I fit into everything and how I can help keep the momentum rolling.”  

Water 

One of the cornerstone achievements in Ephrata this year has been the rollout of a new water tower, expected to enhance the community’s water pressure and volume significantly.  

The water tower, which holds approximately 3.8 million gallons, is nearing completion, with the tower half-full and connected to the main water system as of Monday, according to City Engineer Sean O’Brien. He said the city is working on some programming issues and once resolved, the city will be able to fill the tower to capacity. Until then, the reservoir will operate at half capacity to ensure pressure issues don’t arise.  

“This project will resolve water pressure discrepancies that have affected our residents, particularly in peak usage segments,” O’Brien said.  

Additionally, the city has implemented a water reclamation facility project valued at $9.8 million, which includes major upgrades to critical components, such as the influent pump station and UV disinfection systems.  

“We are currently in the punch list phase of the project, wrapping up minor adjustments before final acceptance in January 2025,” he said.  

The city also got a brand-new sewer liner after more than 70 years. The project impacted about 14,000 feet of sewer line and cost a bit under $1 million. 

“People in the Northeast section, it seems like annually there was a street or a road that we'd have to close off for a few days while we dug up a line and put in a new pipe,” City Administrator Ray Towry said. “So, this should alleviate that. That's our hope. Unless there's some issues out there that we weren't able to see on the camera. But we don't think that's the case. We think that we have got everything. We think this is a much, much less expensive and much less intrusive, proactive approach to taking care of this.”  

Complementing these efforts are the ongoing repairs and upgrades to Ephrata’s well systems. A new pump house for Well 10 is under construction, with expected output increased from 1,800 gallons per minute to 2,400 gallons per minute.  

Furthermore, Well 5 has undergone deepening work to tap into a deeper aquifer.  

“We are identifying and addressing our water supply needs proactively,” O’Brien said. 

In conjunction with these upgrades, the city has initiated a purple pipe project aimed at utilizing reclaimed water for industrial purposes, contributing to a sustainable water strategy.  

“By tapping into reclaimed water, we reduce the demands on our potable water system, creating measured balance in our resource management,” O’Brien said.  

The unexpected challenge of the year was a water main break in September, which caused a service outage and boil water notice for days. City staff identified the issue as a broken pipe near the canal that runs through town and it was repaired, but the situation caused problems for both residents and businesses. 

Rite-Aid 

The City of Ephrata purchased the old Rite Aid building on Basin Street for $2.3 million. It is currently working on a feasibility study to see how the space would be best used. According to Towry, the city has outgrown the current City Hall and Police Department combination and so it is likely that one or both of them will move to the new facility. However, final decisions have not yet been made.  

Towry explained that the city had saved funds in anticipation that an expansion would be needed in the future. The Ephrata City Council unanimously approved the purchase.  

Parks and Rec 

The Ephrata Parks and Recreation Department prioritized upgrades to the Lions Park. An investment of nearly $118,000 has been allocated for a new playground structure that caters to children aged five to twelve, alongside a separate area for toddlers.  

Parks and Recreation Director Josh Johnson highlighted the importance of meeting diverse community needs: “We’re committed to creating spaces that work for all children. This new equipment will provide more play opportunities, going beyond outdated amenities.” 

Moreover, new restroom facilities have been added to the Sports Complex and Lions Park. Constructed from tamper-resistant materials, these bathrooms replace facilities damaged from arson and vandalism, with Towry expressing optimism about their resilience. 

“We hope these upgraded facilities will serve our community without further issues,” Towry said.  

O’Brien said they haven’t run into major vandalism issues with the new facilities as of December, with the bathrooms installed during the summer.   

Rebranding 

Ephrata has also undertaken a city branding initiative this year, including the launch of a new logo, website, and mobile app, costing approximately $40,000. The logo was designed by Mayor Pro Temp and Council Member Matt Moore.  

“This transformation is anchored by three pillars: do the right thing, trust and be trustworthy, and be committed to the cause,” Towry said. 

The redesigned logo reflects Ephrata's landscape, incorporating visual elements inspired by the hills and sunshine characteristic of the region. City Clerk Katie Kapalo emphasized the positive public feedback received since the rollout.  

“Residents have appreciated the easy navigation of our new app and website, especially the alert system that keeps them informed of city updates,” Kapalo said.  

Kapalo further noted that these enhancements foster improved communication and engagement between residents and the city government.  

“We want to make it easier for citizens to connect with us, whether for utility payments or event notifications,” she said. 

    The City of Ephrata purchased the old Rite Aid building for about $2.3 million. The facility is going through a study to figure out the best usage of space. However, Ephrata City Hall, which is combined with the police station, has run out of the room.
  

    The City of Ephrata rebranded this year with a new logo, designed by council member Matt Moore. The city also built a new website and a mobile app.