Three new water system projects approved by the Salem City Council Monday night will help assure you will continue to get safe, clean drinking water for years to come. 

They are part of the City of Salem goal to provide safe, reliable and efficient infrastructure and include:

A City of Turner water pump station: Turner is a wholesale water customer of the City of Salem. The project will also improve resiliency and operational flexibility of Salem's water system.

Filter reconstruction at Geren Island Water Treatment: Filter No. 2 was built in 1970 and is at the end of its useful life. The upgrade will increase treatment capacity. It will also add options for removing turbidity and filter-clogging algae.

Sleepy Hollow Waterline in Northeast Salem: Sleepy Hollow Water System is an independent community water system located within Salem city limits. It has been having problems meeting federal drinking water standards. The system will be upgraded to City design standards and connected to the City waterline.

In other action, the City Council:

• Rejected a recommendation from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to increase the speed on 17th Street SE between Mission Street SE and State Street NE; asked staff to seek a hearing to appeal the ODOT recommendation for the area between State Street NE and Silverton Road NE on 17th Street NE to lower the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour; and concurred with the ODOT recommendation to reduce the speed on 45th Street NE between Center and Sunnyview Streets NE.
• Accepted donation of a van to support senior outreach services and Center 50+ Village Network from the Friends of Center 50+ and accepted the Center 50+ Annual Report.
• Approved design activities for the Boone Road SE Sewer Extension east of Stroh Lane SE