Due to hard water buildup, a turtle has very little water flow at the Studebaker Fountain in Leeper Park. Staff photo by Robert Franklin
South Bend will soon install a water softener for the Studebaker Fountain in Leeper Park, where hard-water minerals have gummed up many of the fountain’s fixtures. ROBERT FRANKLIN/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
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SOUTH BEND — After months of chipping away hard-water minerals that have gummed up the historic Studebaker Electric Fountain at Leeper Park, South Bend and a fundraising committee have reached an agreement to pay for a fix.
In the spring, the city’s Venues, Parks & Arts department plans to install a water softening system. Bids will be sought within the next week or so, said John Martinez, director of facilities and grounds.
And over the winter, he said, staff members plan to thoroughly clean off the rusty- and green-colored minerals that plague the fountain’s metal sculptures and water lines.
When The Tribune reported on the fountain’s issues on July 5, seven of the eight sculpted turtles couldn’t shoot water, and each of the four boys riding dolphins also suffered from plugged-up spouts.
More:Hard water gums up and stains Studebaker Fountain in South Bend. Is water softener a cure?
Last Monday, the parks department board approved an agreement in which the city pledges $50,000 for the water system and the committee that raised money for the fountain’s restoration in 2019 pledges $60,000.
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