Published: May 19, 2008 05:26 pm            

State grant to help repair Jamestown sewer system

JAMESTOWN — Thanks to a Community Focus Fund grant from the state, this town is ready for a lasting fix to its sewer system.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman recently announced that Jamestown was one of 33 communities to receive CFF grants totaling more than $15 million. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the grants, which are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Jamestown’s grant, which totals $359,115, is earmarked for wastewater improvements.

“Gov. (Mitch) Daniels and I are proud to award more than $15 million in Community Focus Fund grants to enhance the quality of life and community development in our rural cities and towns,” Skillman said in a statement. “Since 2005, we have seen numerous communities work with local partners and the state to build and sustain their cities and towns through this program. Through the continued commitment of these community leaders and local organizations, we are investing in the future of rural Indiana.”

Jamestown’s grant will pay for the installation of almost 10,000 linear feet of cured-in-place pipe in the existing clay pipe. Doing so will eliminate joints in the pipe, where water infiltration has been a problem.

“It’s to reduce infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system, and reduce the amount of water received during a rain event,” said Josh Hawkins, the town’s assistant superintendent who is in charge of wastewater treatment.

Using a cured-in-place pipe, which is pumped into the existing pipe and expanded to fit it, also means much less interruption and construction.

“We don’t have to tear up yards and that kind of stuff,” Hawkins said. “It keeps everybody happy.”

There can be a lot of outside water infiltration into the sewer system, depending on the amount of rain received. Hawkins said it can sometimes be twice the amount the Water Department reports in sales in a day.

“There’s a lot of water coming in that we’re treating that isn’t paid for,” he said. “If you don’t keep it all in check, it could lead to hazards like a washout — where you get too much water coming into the sewer plant and you’re not cleaning any (of it).”

Fixing the problem has been an ongoing process. The sewer plant was built in the late 1980s. Pipe joints have been tested once or twice since then and resealed if found to be losing pressure.

“The problem is you only get a five- to eight-year life span on that,” Hawkins said. “Basically it’s just a Band-Aid, but it’s a lot cheaper than what we’re doing now. What we’re doing now is the permanent fix.”

A ceremony to honor grant awardees is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 30 at the Indiana Statehouse.

———

Online:

www.in.gov/ocra

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.