Sewers eyed for subdivision (10/26/04)

A problem with sewage from inadequate septic systems contaminating the Salamonie River west of Portland has been handed off to Jay County Commissioners — although no one is exactly sure why.

The commissioners received a letter from a state environmental agency outlining the contamination, which came from outdated/failing septic systems at several homes in the Foxfire addition on county road 125 South west of Ind. 67.

The site is located on the south side of the Salamonie River just south of Jay County High School and Sheffer Acres West.

Water samples taken from the river in August showed levels of E. coli bacteria that were more than 14,000 times the standard level.

An official from the Jay County Health Department said Monday that although the process of finding a solution is still in the early stages, the only logical answer appears to be hooking the Foxfire homes — as well as a state highway department garage and about 11 other homes along Ind. 67 — into the city of Portland sewer system.

Dave Houck, environmentalist/ad-ministrator for the county health department, reported the contamination to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management along with Indiana Conservation Officer Dwane Ford.

Water samples taken in August showed extremely high levels of E. coli bacteria (3.5 million colony forming units per 100 milliliters) in the Salamonie. The samples were taken Aug. 18.

Although the direct source of the contamination was homes in the Foxfire addition, Houck said the large majority of the homes in the approximately one-mile stretch of Ind. 67 also have inadequate septic systems and will likely be forced to hook up to city sewers, as well.

Houck had discussed a preliminary engineering study with HNTB Architects, Engineers, Planners at a cost of $3,000.

A letter to Houck from Roger Ward of HNTB that was also given to the commissioners and sent to Bob Brelsford, head of the Portland Wastewater Treatment Plant, referred to the commissioners possibly paying the costs of the engineering study.

But the commissioners said Monday they believed the affected property owners should pay for the study — and also for the solution to the problem. Commissioners’ attorney Brad Burkett agreed, saying the cost of the solution should rest with the responsible property owners.

A spokesperson from IDEM said this morning the letter was sent to Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer and Mike Leonhard because they have oversight of the county health department, which issues septic permits in the county. IDEM spokesperson Bonnie Nash said, “We don’t send letters to individuals in a case like this.”

A report from an inspection Aug. 25 by IDEM representative Kevin Green said he observed what appeared to be raw sewage being discharged from a four-inch white plastic tile into a ditch on the north side county road 125 South west of the Foxfire addition.

Another outlet was located on the south side of county road 125 South. The closest homes on the south side of the road are about one-quarter of a mile away along Ind. 67.

The closest access to city sewer lines is at Sheffer Acres West and Jay County High School. Because of topography and distance, the sewer line extension will most likely have to be pressurized.

Houck said Monday the most logical route for the sewer lines from Foxfire would be to the east along county road 125 South and then to the north along Ind. 67, where they would be connected to a city pumping station just south of county road 75 South.

State law says that any property within 300 feet of a municipal sewer line must hook in. That provision would mean every home on the northwest side of Ind. 67 between county roads 125 South and 300 West would also have to hook into the city sewer system.[[In-content Ad]]