July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Major sewer work ahead (07/14/2008)
Jay County Commissioners
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
Portland could be seeing major water and sewage reconstruction within the next 20 years.
The Jay County Drainage Board heard information this morning from Gene Amlin, a contract engineer for the city of Portland, about the process for separating storm water from sewage.
Amlin informed the commissioners that the best course of action will be to start a 20 year project to separate the lines.
Pressure to begin separating the combined drains has been ramped up by the Environmental Protection Agency to cut down on the amount of sewage being discharged into ditches, creeks and rivers during times of heavy rainfall.
The process looks to cost about $26 million at this point and will involve crews tearing up and replacing infrastructure around town.
"The expense is terrific but the benefit long term is more than satisfying (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) and EPA," Amlin said.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. asked if perhaps a better route would be to upgrade the water treatment plant to handle more capacity, but Amlin estimated the cost for such an expansion would be around $80 million.
"We have a terrible system and it has to be corrected someday," Amlin said. But with the EPA breathing down on them, he added, "We don't have a choice."
The cost for the project will be spread out within the 20-year window given by the EPA and will partially be paid for by residents.
"Those of you lucky enough to pay a sewer bill are going to help us out," Amlin said.
Jay County Commissioners, in their capacity as drainage board, also reviewed plans presented by county surveyor Brad Daniels for the planned Walgreens store on Meridian Street. After review of the original plans, there was a conflict with the drainage scheme and city ordinance, causing a reevaluation of the blueprints.
The new plans include a .22 acre above-ground retention pond to handle overflow, which Daniels said should be sufficient to handle water on the property.
"They've calculated it out," Daniels said as he showed the plans to the commissioners. "Everything's been raised up."
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Signed documents certifying the watershed fee increases approve on June 23 as well as letters to landowners informing them of the increase.
•Discussed some steps needed to be taken regarding tax increment financing, including reappointments to the commission and documents needing to be sent to the state.
•Asked attorney Lon Racster to look into ordinances about use of non-licensed vehicles, including four-wheelers, on public roads. Racster said he would look into state and other county legislature to determine what regulations look like around the state and what provisions may be needed for Jay County.[[In-content Ad]]
The Jay County Drainage Board heard information this morning from Gene Amlin, a contract engineer for the city of Portland, about the process for separating storm water from sewage.
Amlin informed the commissioners that the best course of action will be to start a 20 year project to separate the lines.
Pressure to begin separating the combined drains has been ramped up by the Environmental Protection Agency to cut down on the amount of sewage being discharged into ditches, creeks and rivers during times of heavy rainfall.
The process looks to cost about $26 million at this point and will involve crews tearing up and replacing infrastructure around town.
"The expense is terrific but the benefit long term is more than satisfying (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) and EPA," Amlin said.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. asked if perhaps a better route would be to upgrade the water treatment plant to handle more capacity, but Amlin estimated the cost for such an expansion would be around $80 million.
"We have a terrible system and it has to be corrected someday," Amlin said. But with the EPA breathing down on them, he added, "We don't have a choice."
The cost for the project will be spread out within the 20-year window given by the EPA and will partially be paid for by residents.
"Those of you lucky enough to pay a sewer bill are going to help us out," Amlin said.
Jay County Commissioners, in their capacity as drainage board, also reviewed plans presented by county surveyor Brad Daniels for the planned Walgreens store on Meridian Street. After review of the original plans, there was a conflict with the drainage scheme and city ordinance, causing a reevaluation of the blueprints.
The new plans include a .22 acre above-ground retention pond to handle overflow, which Daniels said should be sufficient to handle water on the property.
"They've calculated it out," Daniels said as he showed the plans to the commissioners. "Everything's been raised up."
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Signed documents certifying the watershed fee increases approve on June 23 as well as letters to landowners informing them of the increase.
•Discussed some steps needed to be taken regarding tax increment financing, including reappointments to the commission and documents needing to be sent to the state.
•Asked attorney Lon Racster to look into ordinances about use of non-licensed vehicles, including four-wheelers, on public roads. Racster said he would look into state and other county legislature to determine what regulations look like around the state and what provisions may be needed for Jay County.[[In-content Ad]]
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