Wastewater upgrade testing delayed

By R. DAVID MCLAUGHLIN
Correspondent

March 13, 2008 10:59 am

— Ligonier, Ind. — Testing of the Ligonier wastewater plant upgrade project will be held off for another three weeks, according to a report to the Board of Public Works and Safety at Wednesday’s session.
Complete verification of the operation of the system will depend on the weather.
City plant operator Jane Alger reported to the board that better weather will allow the department to begin using the Vactor truck more regularly to clean out lines that have accumulated debris over the winter.
Alger also informed the board that the new owner of Indian Lakes mobile home park had asked if he might be allowed to restart the lagoon system used by the park for wastewater treatment in the past, instead of sending wastewater through the city system.
City attorney Steve Hagen agreed with other city officials that the matter was under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Health, not the city. There is concern that the park may still have combined sanitary and storm drains which are stressing the city system.
The park was connected to the city system several years ago through a lift station installed to allow the park to meet requirements by state agencies.
The city has not assumed responsibility for the wastewater connection since the park had not met all city operational requirements.
Hagen and wastewater personnel will review the files detailing the history of the connection in order to determine what, if any, city action would be appropriate.

New pumping station

Board members approved advertising for bids for a new booster pump that will serve the West Noble School property southeast of the city.
The pump is needed to improve water pressure at the school to provide fire coverage, as well as to offer capacity for future expansion of the water system in that area.
The board previously approved a request by water Superintendent Jeff Boyle for an engineering design for the pumping facility at a cost of $1,000.
Hagen reported that the property needed for the pumping station is being donated to the city. The required site is expected to be small — large enough only for a small building housing the pump, and needing access for daily monitoring and maintenance.

INWARN

Boyle updated the board on a proposed mutual aid contract with surrounding communities for backup support in the event of a civic emergency like the recent tornado damage in Nappanee.
The majority of surrounding cities have signed on to the agreement, called INWARN. The signers agree to supply personnel to each as they are able in such an emergency.
The board approved Ligonier’s participation in the agreement.
Boyle also asked the board to consider the acquisition of a specialized hydrant that can be used to reduce rust buildup near line terminations. The total cost of the hydrant and the programmer needed would total approximately $4,000. The board tabled the proposal for further study.

Wastewater problem

In evaluating a complaint by city resident Mary Lou Poyser of 206 Lincolnway West concerning wastewater backup in her basement, the board concluded that the removal of a combined sewer and storm line near Poyser’s property would have be done in order to alleviate the problem.
The project, originally planned for the fall of 2007, has not yet been completed.
Residents are reminded that the final assessment hearing for Grand Street sidewalk and curb assessments for residents will be held at the March 26 board meeting.