Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Hoping to resolve Leesburg's sewer complications and abate penalties from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Warsaw will construct a sewer line as far north as CR 400N.
Warsaw has yet to sign a proposed agreement with IDEM to solidify when and how far the new sewer line will extend, but Mayor Ernie Wiggins said its construction is eventual because of economic growth on the north side of Warsaw.
The city will partner with both Leesburg and county officials to build the new sewer system, which also will require Leesburg to extend its own sewer line to make the connection.
"The project is a long way from being done," Wiggins said. "But (Warsaw, Leesburg and the county) are all in agreement with the concept."
The project also will decrease penalties Warsaw faces from a 2002 investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency and IDEM, which discovered hazardous discharges were being made into Walnut Creek.
In a proposed agreement with the city, IDEM recommended the relocation of the old wastewater plant's outfall site. Though the agreement has yet to be approved by the Warsaw City Council, the outfall site has been reconstructed at a new location.
The approval of this operation was granted during a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting April 10.
"I think it's appropriate we spend this money on the community rather than send it down state in the form of a penalty," Wiggins said. "It'll open up for more development for the city."
Wiggins expects the north side of Warsaw to grow significantly in the next 20 years. With the widening of Ind. 15 expected to take place by 2011, the city will have to anticipate where and how the new lines will be installed, he said.
While the IDEM contract is still being deliberated, Wiggins will meet with attorneys in the next two weeks and then will contact the IDEM commissioner.
Warsaw also is still collecting data from the old outfall location to determine whether remnants of the 2002 discharges are still present.
"We have a lot of loose ends to tie up," Wiggins said. "But we'll get there eventually."
