NEW PALESTINE — County growth and establishing service territory have created a need for a new engineering study and master plan for New Palestine’s wastewater system, officials said.
While the town wrapped up a $4.1 million sewer plant expansion in the spring of 2019 — one that doubled the wastewater capacity to 400,000 gallons per day and increased sewer bills by some $20 — officials said the work associated with the plant is never done.
Town manager Jim Robinson noted plans for another wastewater expansion could come as soon as the plant reaches 80% capacity, which is expected in about five years when considering area growth.
In the meantime, an engineering master plan has been approved by local officials with Triad Associates at a cost of nearly $40,000. The study will be designed to provide town officials with a plan that analyzes the current wastewater infrastructure and examines the options for serving the territory, the contract states.
With growth in the western part of the county, local officials feel it’s important to map out their area and plan accordingly. The contract notes utility providers are establishing service territories and getting county approval as the area grows, and New Palestine officials need to define and mark any possible growth they might want to include in their service area.
Triad officials recently told the town council it’s important for them to set their boundaries for the areas they want to service, as other entities are carving out and claiming sections nearby.
The town has a main sewer treatment plant in town and a northern wastewater treatment plant, one they purchased from the town of Cumberland in November 2020 for an estimated $950,000. The newer acquired territory sits between County Roads 200S and 300S, from Jacobi Road west to Mt. Comfort Road. The area includes homes in the Centennial Commons area.
The two wastewater treatment facilities give town officials a great deal of opportunity to service the growing community. Robinson noted they’d like to take the New Palestine north plant out of service after a couple of years and route all wastewater service to their main treatment plant in town. But that won’t happen until they’re ready to expand the main plant.
The study, Triad officials said, will show town officials where the development in the area will occur and costs associated with the service to help town officials plan growth for their wastewater operation.
Council member Chris Lytle noted there are only so many areas the town can service and was cautious about approving funds for the study. Clint Bledsoe, the council’s vice president, agreed and said he wanted to look into the idea of a master plan for wastewater before approving any funds.
“I’d like to discuss the scope of this project more,” Bledsoe.
Robinson, who oversees the operations at the town’s wastewater plant, said it already is operating at 60% to 70% capacity, which means another expansion could be on the horizon. Plus, there is interest in land development near the new Hancock Health Gateway campus at U.S. 52 and Mt. Comfort Road as well as interest in the development east of the creek on U.S. 52.
“A master plan will help us figure out in the future where we need to spend our dollars,” Robinson said.
The study calls for an in-depth look into the town’s wastewater system service capabilities and potential growth. They’ll look into things like pipe sizing, pipe routing, possible new lift stations and locations, as well as looking at watersheds and topographical and other physical features.
Robinson noted there are also several older subdivisions within town limits where homes are using septic tanks. Those homeowners may want to make the switch to the town’s wastewater service as well, increasing the need.
The council approved the contract with Triad Associates. Officials plan to put together a steering committee composed of town officials, home builders, school officials, developers and engineers to determine just how much area they’d like to see New Palestine services cover in the future, Robinson said.
