WINONA LAKE - At its Oct. 13 meeting, Winona Lake will consider constructing a clean water treatment plant for its town residents.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Winona Lake Town Hall and is open to the public. A presentation will be made then on the proposed project.During this morning's council meeting, Winona Lake Town Council President Terry Howie read a letter that states the town has been exploring the development of an environmentally friendly clean water plant.
He said Winona Lake has had a long-term contract with Warsaw's sewer utility for wastewater treatment. He also said the town believes the relationship that existed over many years has been mutually beneficial and desires that the relationship continues.
"Winona Lake Town Council believes the risk of probable future unlimited rate increases is unacceptable," Howie said.
Currently, Winona Lake residents' wastewater is treated at Warsaw's wastewater facility.
"Winona Lake Town Council is not pursuing the inclusion of any areas unless they are currently served by the present Winona Lake sewer system," Howie said.
Since the inception of the wastewater treatment contract with Warsaw, Winona Lake has been charged for treatment, capital and additional costs attributed to the required contracted services.
Collection system, administrative and general costs incurred by Warsaw to provide services to Warsaw's residential, commercial and industrial customers historically were not paid by Winona Lake.
Winona Lake has always been responsible for collection and delivery of its own wastewater flow to Warsaw, as well as the administrative costs necessary for safe operation of the current Winona Lake wastewater system.
Today, Howie said the council and administration of Winona Lake are concluding that treatment fees no longer represent a fair and equitable charge for treatment services.
"Winona Lake is treated as if it were similar to the many individual residential, commercial and industrial customers that reside within the city limits of Warsaw when it clearly is not," Howie said.
Howie said a series of meetings occurred with Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and city council members to discuss the cost subsidization issue. Warsaw has not negotiated regarding concerns expressed during the meetings, according to Howie.
He said after several months of discussion, town officials have decided to move forward with the possible construction of a new clean water plant to serve its current sewer collection system customers.
Howie said ownership of the proposed facility would allow the town to encourage diversified land uses in growth areas, be proactive in controlling future utility rates, and encourage economic growth.
