North Judson Wastewater Improvement Project Gets Closer to Construction Phase

Posted on June 21, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

An update on the North Judson’s wastewater treatment plant project was provided to Town Council members when they met Monday night.

CommonWealth Engineer Intern Sarah Prizio explained that the next step before the project can commence will be a loan closing and pre-construction meeting which will likely take place around Wednesday, July 17th.

Prizio also provided a reminder about what the wastewater project will entail, noting that it will be tackled to address an Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirement.

She explained that currently, the Town of North Judson has stormwater and sanitary infrastructure existing within a combined system.

Prizio said when rain events happen it increases the flow to the wastewater treatment plant. When a significant amount of water flows in, the plant can reach about 90 percent capacity or higher, which is a violation through IDEM.

With this project, a new sewer dedicated to storm water will be installed and the existing wastewater collection system will be rehabilitated. They’ll also be doing some improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.

Prizio said crews will improve the capacity at the combined sewer overflow pump station.

She said that when big rain events happen and increase the flow of water to the plant, the stormwater will go to a specific tank that will be pumped out into designated ponds. Once dryer weather returns and the capacity allows for it, that water will be pumped back into the plant to be treated.

North Judson Utility Projects May Lead to Big Rate Hike

Posted on March 23, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The North Judson Town Council is trying to figure out how to pay for some much-needed utility projects, while minimizing the impact on utility rates. Representatives from Commonwealth Engineers and accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates met with the council Monday to discuss the projects and possible funding options.

The first project would upgrade the combined sewer overflow system to bring it into compliance with Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations. It would include a new storm sewer along Main, Franklin, and Railroad streets, discharging in an area past Arlington Avenue, near the Wastewater Treatment Plant, costing nearly $1.9 million.

Commonwealth Engineers is also suggesting over $1.5 million in upgrades to North Judson’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. That project would improve aerators and add pumping capacity to handle biosolids. On top of that, the town’s also planning upgrades to its water system.

The town may apply for state or federal grants to cover the costs, in addition to issuing bonds. To cover the potential bond payments, utility rates would likely increase, possibly by as much as 54 percent. However, that would depend on state and federal funding options and whether both projects are done at the same time.

While spreading the projects out could lessen the immediate impact, North Judson could save some money in the long term by doing everything at once. Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins notes that the utility rates haven’t been raised since 2003, and are due for an increase. The town council plans to discuss funding options in more detail with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office.

North Judson Preparing for Wastewater Grant Application

May 10, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Town of North Judson continues to move ahead with its efforts to get funding to help update some of the plans for the town’s wastewater facilities. Commonwealth Engineers plans to update the long-term control plan for the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

According to a representative with the firm, the updated plan would help the town make decisions about future wastewater improvements and anticipate needs that may arise.

Last week, a public hearing was held on North Judson’s application for a pre-development planning grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office. Commonwealth Engineers says the updated plan will cost a total of $37,500. The grant is estimated to cover 75-percent of that cost.

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the plan would tie into the work being undertaken by Commonwealth Engineers on the town’s water towers.

North Judson Formally Submits Grant Application for Water Tower Project

April 7, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Town of North Judson continues to move forward with its efforts to obtain grant funding for its water tower rehabilitation project. Clerk-treasurer Alicia Collins says the grant application has been submitted, and now the town is waiting for official approval.

North Judson has already qualified for state funding, based on the results of income surveys taken last year. The grant will help pay for maintenance work to the town’s two water towers.

Meanwhile, the town is also starting the process of submitting another grant application. Last month, a representative from Commonwealth Engineers approached the council with a proposal to update the long-term control plan for the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The plan would help the town make decisions about future wastewater improvements and anticipate needs that may arise in the future.

Commonwealth Engineers says the plan will cost a total of $37,500, but grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office would cover 75 percent of the cost. This week, the North Judson Town Council decided to start pursuing that grant, by notifying Rural Development officials of the town’s desire to apply for the funding.