Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion?

OK ... but who knew anything about a public hearing? ... or a wastewater treatment plant expansion for that matter.?

(Source: Goshen News)By Denise Fedorow, Goshen News, Ind.
Mar. 11--NAPPANEE -- A public hearing was held Monday afternoon and no one from the public commented on the matter of the wastewater treatment plant expansion. Mark Downey, the city's engineer, was present to explain the scope of the project and reason for its necessity.

Downey said the current wastewater treatment plant is deficient in aerobic sludge digestion and storage capacity. The project also calls for replacing dilapidated blowers with new ones that are more energy efficient. Additionally, the existing chemical disinfection system is being converted to a ultra-violet light system, which is more sustainable and better for the environment.

The estimated cost of the project is $5 million. Downey told the board that a proposal was submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the state revolving fund program for funding of the project. After the meeting, Downey explained that the fund is actually the America's Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or part of the economic stimulus package.

The next step in the process is allowing five days for written comments from the public and then adapting a preliminary engineering resolution. The board will meet in special session Monday at 6:45 p.m. to adopt the resolution and then forward that on to IDEM.