Kimberly voters narrowly approved a water-projects bond and ousted two incumbent City Council members, according to unofficial results available Tuesday evening.

About 560 voters - 43 percent turnout - participated in the election, according to the count by Twin Falls County staffers. Just more than half of them cast votes in favor of a bond to pay back a $6.6 million loan from the Idaho Department of Environ-mental Quality.

Newcomers Burke Richman and Brandon Hoobler also unseated incumbent councilmen George Plew and Warren Wade by a decent margin. Challenger Jesse Harrell failed to win one of the two four-year seats. In a separate race, unopposed incumbent Ked Wills retained his two-year council seat.

The water bond - intensely debated by residents - will use federal stimulus money and state funds to pay for a variety of projects, including installing water meters at all residences and businesses, finishing a well at City Park and replacing aging water tanks and other infrastructure. DEQ has already promised to forgive the first $1 million of the 30-year loan, meaning residents only have to pay back $5.6 million at 1 percent interest. Voters had to pass the bond by a simple majority; 52 percent decided they liked the idea.

Reached Tuesday evening, Plew seemed disappointed about his seat, but was cheered to hear the bond passed.

"That's very important," he said.

Both Richman and Hoobler said they were excited to get to work.

"I just appreciate everyone that voted and I think we'll do some good things," Richman said.