The bids ranged from $284,818 to $399,390. Pete Carlson, city engineer, had estimated $335,168 for the project.
The water main will convey untreated water from the city's new well, which will be located south of Highway 55 behind Precision Electric and Acclaimed Furniture, to the city's water treatment plant on the north side of Highway 23.
The new water main will follow Highway 55, Highway 124, and Co. Rd. 34 before crossing private property to another new well east of town. The main then will proceed north to the city's water treatment plant on Highway 23.
Bids for the new wells will be opened on April 18.