Sewer estimates reviewed

The price tag to separate storm and sanitary sewers in the north side of Portland won't be tiny.

Members of the Portland Board of Works reviewed cost estimates this morning for the project ranging from $5.8 to $8 million - not including the cost of engineering and other fees, which could increase the totals by about 25 percent.

Officials with The Schneider Corporation, which is designing the project, submitted four different options to the board this morning. The least expensive one would utilize existing lines that are in good shape.

"The sizes, the depths, the slopes are ideal," said Paul Vincent of Schneider.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said he plans to lobby for grant funds for the north side sewer separation project when he visits with government officials in Washington D.C. in March. "You know what's before us," he said to board members. "There's not an option here (to not do the project)."

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is requiring municipalities to separate storm and sanitary sewer lines. Under a plan submitted by the city to IDEM, the project must be done by Dec. 31, 2013. Vincent said work will take about two years. The city could face hefty fines if the deadline is not met.

Vincent said he plans to pursue several grants. The project will create separate sewage and storm drains.

With both storm and sewage flowing into the same lines, the city's treatment capacity is exceeded during times of heavy rain, forcing overflow to be discharged into drainage ditches and the Salamonie River.

The north side sewer separation project includes areas located between Votaw and Meridian streets and Industrial Park Drive. A majority of the work will be west of Meridian Street.[[In-content Ad]]